Palestine, a country on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, to the south of Lebanon, and to the west of Jordan is uniquely a holy land in three of the world’s major religions–Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. One of the basic components and values ​​that Palestine lacks and aspires to achieve is peace since it is a country under occupation. Various Palestinian institutions

GNRC Argentina participated in the third World Forum on Human Rights held in Buenos Aires from 20th to 24th March 2023. They made a presentation led by their Coordinator, Ms. Ana Maria Verilla, Claudio Fuentes, a GNRC member, and Mr. Joni, GNRC member, on activities by GNRC Argentina.  Ms. María José Ananias, Coordinator, GNRC Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), also

Engaging Children in Decision Making  Adultcentrism is the tendency of adults to view children and their problems from a biased, adult perspective, thus creating barriers to effective practice with children.  How do we change structural patterns of adultcentrism in our work with children and adolescents?  To answer this question, and develop an interreligious, intercultural, and intergenerational project,

Child labor is a violation of human rights and a barrier to social and economic development. Governments, employers, workers, and civil societies should join forces and take concrete actions to eliminate child labor in all its forms. Guided by this year’s theme of the World Day Against Child Labor, ‘Social Justice for All. End Child Labour!’, hundreds

‘Imagine a world where people live in harmony, appreciating and respecting their diversity.’  With this, and committed to shared values, common humanity, and the infinite value of human life, GNRC Peru convened a parents-children meeting on 3rd June 2023. The meeting brought together people from the Bahai, Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran Church of Peru, and Muslim Communities to

Mr. Hafez Taraman  Media Personality and Humanitarian Activist from Syria  Mr. Hafez has been active in media work since 2012 and worked with several local and foreign channels until 2017. He set foot in humanitarian work with several local Syrian organizations. In 2018, he launched initiatives— including Kids Future for children in the city of Maarat al-Numan. The initiative

Mr. Hafez Taraman  Media Personality and Humanitarian Activist from Syria  Mr. Hafez has been active in media work since 2012 and worked with several local and foreign channels until 2017. He set foot in humanitarian work with several local Syrian organizations. In 2018, he launched initiatives— including Kids Future for children in the city of Maarat al-Numan. The initiative

GNRC Bosnia and Herzegovina  “Our motivation to work with children on the move is founded in the essence of interreligious dialogue, peace, love, togetherness and the empathy we have for them. We desire to create a safe space, respecting all differences, attitudes and opinions.”  ~ Ms. Ismeta Salihspahic  On the World Day of Prayer and

Fostering a Culture of Peace The Day of the African Child observed annually on June 16th, commemorates a significant event in South African history that led to the loss of innocent lives but ultimately served as a catalyst for change. In 1971, over 20,000 studentsin Soweto protested against the oppressive apartheid regime’s education policies, specifically demanding to be taught in their own

Youth Peacebuilding and Economic Empowerment “Empowering young minds through entrepreneurship, interfaith dialogue, and inclusive policies fosters sustainable peace and prosperity. Together let’s bridge gaps and build a harmonious future.” Rev. Fred Nyabera  “We were created into diverse nations so that we can get to know and work together. We, therefore, need to embrace each other

Educational and Living Conditions of Children in Africa  In the spirit of collaboration and strengthening the Network, and as a member of the Arigatou International family, GNRC Bosnia and Herzegovina (GNRC BiH) joined the rest of the GNRC members and the world in commemorating the Day of the African Child on 16th June 2023. To mark this auspicious day, a workshop

Hope Away from Home On June 20, we, together with millions around the world, and led by the UNHCR, mark World Refugee Day, a day to celebrate the resilience and courage of millions of people who have been forced to flee their homes and seek safety in other countries. It is also a day to raise awareness and solidarity for their plight

Harnessing the Bountiful Honey of Cameroon Cameroon, often referred to as “Africa in miniature,” is a land blessed with natural beauty and abundant resources. Among its many treasures, lies the thriving apiculture sector, where traditional and adapted methods are harnessed to produce pure, natural, and high-quality honey. The unique geographical location of Cameroon, coupled with

“Children are not a problem to be solved, but a resource that needs investing in.” ~ Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid What role do you think children have in advocating for their rights and well-being? And how powerful do you think their voices are?  This came to play during the inaugural Africa Children Summit, where children

Humanitarian Aid to Families Affected by the Earthquake in Syria Imagine having your life turned upside down in a single moment. One minute all is well and the next, everything around you is turned into a heap of rubble and dust. You are left helpless, worrying about your safety and that of your loved ones…but mostly saddened

Unity in Religious Diversity On 29th March 2023, GNRC Indonesia launched its committee in an online event, under the theme “Preserve and Celebrate Interfaith Diversity with Indonesian Children.” GNRC members in Indonesia participated from five regions; Pontianak-West Kalimantan, Poso-Central Sulawesi, Ambon-Maluku, Jember-East Java, and Yogyakarta.   The event began with welcome remarks from Ms. Lian Gogali,

We live in a globalized era where the world has become a global village with technological advancements making it easier for the world to connect. Many economies have opened, helping more and more countries improve the living standards of their citizens and empowering many to step out of ‘traditional’ set expectations. Although greatly beneficial, globalization is a double-edged sword that has come with

Building Family Resilience Against Violent Extremism: Women of Faith in Action Women’s role in providing food, education, and shelter for their families cannot be underestimated. I refer to a quote by William Golding “Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater, if you give her groceries, she will give you a meal, if you

A GNRC Success Story – The Dress-Making Enterprise  The launch of the GNRC Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Committee on February 2nd, 2023, was a resounding success, with numerous positive reports of impacts on the local community. Through the funds received from GNRC, the committee members were able to undertake several activities that have improved the lives of vulnerable children and families

“We have to be more responsible with our words and behaviors.” – 15-year-old girl from Bistrita GNRC Romania organized a series of activities from May 25th to June 15th, 2022, to promote the importance of children in raising awareness to end bullying in schools. The activities were held in fifteen schools in Bucharest, reaching 2000 primary and

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”  — Mother Teresa  We had the privilege of meeting Ms. Shamsa Abubakar Fadhil, a Kenyan peace mediator, community mobilizer, and winner of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2023. Popularly known as Mama Shamsa, she joined GNRC through a programme

GNRC Pakistan led by Search for Justice and Children Advocacy Network (CAN-Pakistan) along with the National Commission for Human Rights, established the Provincial Coordination Forum to End Child Domestic Labor. The first meeting of the forum, to discuss child domestic labor and child sexual exploitation was held on December 27th, 2022, in Punjab, Pakistan.  Government

“My motto for change and work is: “INSPIRE.ACT.CHANGE! My biggest success is when I see that one of my students made a positive CHANGE in the globe” – Ms. Zvonimira Jakić, Youth Coordinator GNRC Ms. Zvonimira Jakić, during a consultation with GNRC leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Visoko  The post #EVERYDAYHEROES features Ms. Zvonimira Jakić, Youth Coordinator GNRC appeared

On 2nd January 2023, GNRC Democratic Republic Of Congo (D.R.C) launched its committee in a hybrid event, held in Goma. The event brought together, eighty-six participants, children and adults included. The launch is among many, following efforts toward strengthening and reinvigorating the Network.­ The event started with a word of prayer from Reverend Katakia, and a

PEACE: A Collective Responsibility The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity awarded Kenyan peacebuilder Ms. Shamsa Abubakar Fadhil known as ‘Mama Shamsa’, a GNRC Member, as co-honoree of the 2023 award. The award recognizes honorees from around the world for their contributions to building a more peaceful, and compassionate world based on the values of human fraternity. Mama Shamsa is

Coimbatore Vizha: Journey to Unity On January 4th, 2023, GNRC India held the 15th annual edition of the ‘Journey for Unity’, the first public interfaith outreach for 2023, as part of the Coimbatore Vizha. The interfaith-intergenerational journey celebrates the cultural and religious diversity of the city of Coimbatore.   Present at the event were 213 adults,

On July 26th, 2022, GNRC India launched its committee in a virtual event that had over sixty adults and one hundred and twenty children participants from different faiths, mainly Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism. Mr. Vijayaragavan Gopal, Coordinator, GNRC India, shared their vision, introduced their initiatives, and outlined the role of the committee members. “A

GNRC member Djeca Crne Gore-Children of Montenegro focuses on children and youth living with disability. Since 2016, we have provided sessions for children with psychologists, speech therapists, social workers, and personal assistants, free of charge, with support from donors. This is because it is a challenge to get experts who can work with children in areas where most people speak Albanian.

On September 19th, 2020, GNRC South Africa launched the Zimbali Zonke Garden4Life Project at a children’s interfaith day camp. The launch owed to the run-up to the United Nations International Day of Peace. Since its launch, the project has continued to be a platform to share and take action to mitigate climate change. South Africa is particularly vulnerable to the

Why we must focus on young people to turn back the tide THE POLYCRISIS: INTERWOVEN CRISIS IMPACTING THE VULNERABLE Phrases like ‘disasters’, ‘catastrophes’, ‘calamities’, ‘tragedies’, or ‘emergencies’ no longer sufficiently describe the mega-threats humanity is facing. Rather, we are, because of a series of crises that are ‘interconnected, entwining and worsening one another’ – a

GNRC Kenya committee was launched on 27th October 2022 in a hybrid event held at the Savelberg Retreat Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. The event brought together sixty-two participants, from the Christian, Islamic, and Sikh faiths, in a bid to strengthen and reinvigorate the Network.  The event began with prayers from two children from Tenderlings Primary School, and welcome remarks from Sheikh. Ramadhan Aula, Coordinator, GNRC Kenya. Dr. Mustafa Y. Ali, Secretary General,

On 15th September 2022, GNRC Burundi launched its committee, in a bid to strengthen and reinvigorate the Network. The launch took place in Bujumbura, Burundi, bringing together thirty-eight participants, in a hybrid event, that included faith leaders, women, men, and children.  Ms. Sandrine Nkurunziza, Coordinator, GNRC Burundi, gave the participants an overview of GNRC Burundi’s work

GNRC Romania committee was launched on 3rd September 2022 in Sinaia, Romania. In a hybrid event themed Building an interfaith-inspired world for our children, our responsibility for their future, the launch brought together forty-four participants, including school representatives, religious leaders, experts in education, and psychologists, in a bid to strengthen and reinvigorate the Network.   Ms. Laura Molnar, Coordinator, GNRC

On Saturday, 27th August 2022, GNRC Bhutan launched its committee in a hybrid event in Lanjophakha Thimphu, Bhutan to strengthen and reinvigorate the Network. 113 participants attended the event, among them, faith leaders, men, women, and children. The event was live streamed via the Youth Society of Social Services (YSSS) Facebook platform. GNRC Bhutan highlighted

GNRC Tanzania launched its committee on 31st August 2022 in a hybrid event at the United Nations (UN) House, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The event, whose objective was to strengthen and reinvigorate the Network, brought together forty-two participants from the Christian, Muslim, and Buddhist faiths. Seven committee members led by Ms. Joyce Mdachi, GNRC Coordinator

The first cohort of the GNRC Country Communications Associates (GCCAs) was inducted into the GNRC network on 17th August 2022 at a hybrid meet-and-greet session with the GNRC Secretariat. The meeting was to familiarize the GCCAs with the Secretariat staff and further deepen their understanding of their roles. The GCCAs were drawn from ten countries:

Responding to children’s needs in the refugee crisis in Ukraine GNRC members across the globe continue to show their solidarity with the children and people of Ukraine. GNRC members in Romania, led by their Coordinator, Ms. Laura Molnar, implemented several school projects to accommodate refugee children fleeing from neighboring Ukraine. They had classrooms in public

Transforming communities: Child gangs in Mombasa, Kenya “In my community, there are about ten known gangs that have recruited children and youth for criminal activities. Children are attracted to gangs because of different factors within their environment. Through the GNRC, I have learnt a lot. I now recognize the challenges faced by children in society

GNRC Pakistan was launched on 27th July 2022, in Lahore, Pakistan, at a ceremony that brought together twenty-nine (29) participants; among them, GNRC Pakistan committee members, led by the Coordinator Mr. Iftikhar Mubarik and representatives from different organizations and faith traditions namely, Islam and Christianity. Children were also represented. The event began with a recital

GNRC Lebanon Committee was launched on 8th June 2022 via an online event attended by a total of eighteen (18) participants from different faiths including Christianity, Islam, and Druze. Anthony Saade, a GNRC Youth committee member shared the activities that have been implemented in the efforts of the GNRC Lebanon to end violence against children.

GNRC Comoros Committee was launched on 30th June 2022 at a hybrid event, attended by a total of twenty-nine (29) participants, among them GNRC Comoros committee members, faith leaders, children and GNRC Coordinators from other countries under the leadership of the Country Coordinator, Mr. Said M’Changama Akim. Oustadh Safari Mohamed a member of GNRC committee,

GNRC South Africa was launched on 26th June 2022, in Durban, South Africa, at a ceremony that brought together sixty (60) participants; among them leaders from seven (7) different faiths, namely, Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Singh, Bahai and the Jewish communities. Twelve (12) GNRC South Africa committee members led by Ms. Saydoon Sayed, the GNRC South

On 20th June 2022, the GNRC Secretary General Dr. Mustafa Y. Ali together with the Nairobi Secretariat team, joined members from GNRC Bosnia and Herzegovina to officially launch the GNRC Bosnia and Herzegovina Committee. The virtual event was attended by twenty-four (24) participants, among them faith leaders, a psychologist, coordinators and contact persons from other

Ismeta Begić, President, UŽ “Mozaik,” and GNRC Coordinator – Bosnia and Herzegovina Religion in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and across Europe, is treated as a private matter, making it difficult to engage in interfaith activities that protect children. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, GNRC’s interfaith engagements began on the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children

The struggles and achievements of women across time and across the world cannot be commemorated in one day. Nonetheless, I take this moment to celebrate and honor the achievements made by women and girls across the GNRC Network and around the world on this important occasion of International Women’s Day. The theme of this year’s