On 6th December 2021, GNRC coordinators and contact persons from 57 countries that the GNRC is operating in, convened for a 3-hour virtual meeting to discuss the GNRC Assessment Report and plan its implementation. The meeting was graced by the GNRC Secretary General, Dr. Mustafa Y. Ali; the President of Shanti Ashram and Vice Chair

As we come to the end of 2021, we reflect on what has been a challenging year in which the world remained deeply impacted by COVID-19. Many are entering the holiday season gripped by stress and anxiety as a result of the pandemic. We take a moment to remember those who are grieving the loss

During the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children 2021 on 19th November 2021 held in Dubai, the GNRC Secretary General, Dr. Mustafa Y. Ali, was invited to moderate a dialogue session on, “Prioritizing children’s social, emotional, and spiritual well-being in times of crisis.” The topic of discussion, which was within the overarching theme

On the occasion of the 2021 World Day of Prayer and Action for Children commemoration held on 19th November 2021 in Dubai, U.A.E, the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) Secretary General, Dr. Mustafa Y. Ali, convened a roundtable for coordinators and contact persons from the GNRC in the Middle East and the North

On 25th November 2021 the GNRC Secretariat through its Network in Kenya convened a roundtable meeting in Nairobi for partners to respond to the multi-dimensional impacts of COVID-19 on children and youth. The partner’s roundtable gathered together 20 participants from the Network in Kenya including representatives from the Department for Children Services, Islamic Foundation Kenya,

On the 19th of November 2021, GNRC members in the Middle East and the North Africa (MENA) region were invited by Prayer and Action for Children to the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children celebrations in Dubai, UAE. The event, which was inaugurated by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance

The GNRC AS Local Workshop for Children in Preparation for the GNRC 4th Forum was organized from 7- 9 February 2012. It was attended by 30 children and youth from various Schools and religious communities in Cairo. Participants were Muslims (Sunni), Christians (Coptic Orthodox, Arab Orthodox, Coptic Catholic, Roman Catholic, Anglicans, and Protestants). They aged

An article presenting Arigatou International and its work, titled “How a Small Buddhist Movement is Teaching Children in the Interfaith World to Live Together” was published in The Interfaith Observer. Continue reading Arigatou International featured in The Interfaith Observer The post Arigatou International featured in The Interfaith Observer appeared first on Global Network of Religions

From the age of 17, Abdi (not his real name) was radicalized and recruited into violent extremism. A young boy from Kenya, he started his journey to join an extremist group active in Iraq and Syria, DAESH. His first attempt to join the group failed. Still determined to join what he misconstrued as ‘jihad’, he

On 29th September 2021, three representatives from the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) and the European Union paid a courtesy visit to one of the women groups in Jericho, Nairobi, running a small business start-up supported by GCERF, to observe the results sustained beyond the period of GCERF’s funding. The team that included

On 16th September 2021, the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) Secretary General, Dr. Mustafa Y Ali, together with other partners launched the Fifth Edition of the ‘Lenga Ugaidi na Talanta’. Represenatives from Arigatou International Nairobi, Government of Kenya, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), GOOGLE, BRAVE, and The Horn International Institute for Strategic Studies attended

Every year on the 21st September, the world commemorates the International Day of Peace. This is an important day for humanity. The theme for this year’s International Day of Peace is, “Recovering better for an Equitable and Sustainable World.” We are in the midst of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic that has also affected all aspects

GNRC Joins Faith Leaders to Advocate for Peace in Africa: The GNRC Kenya Coordinator, Sh. Ramadhan Aula, was among the Eminent Persons Ecumenical Program for Peace in Africa (EPEPPA) delegates who met AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, (PAPS) H.E. Amb. Bankole Adegboyega Adeoye at AU headquarters in Addis Ababa Ethiopia on 17th September

Women from the, “Building Family Resilience Against Violent Extremism: Women of Faith in Action,” Project in Mombasa organized a two-day children’s forum on 6th and 7th of August 2021 to reflect on the vital role of youth in promoting peace and preventing violent extremism in the community. The forums which focused on children and youth

It is hard to quantify the magnitude of problems that face Lebanon today. Our country is facing one of the worst financial crises since the 1800s with citizens witnessing scarcity in basic necessities such as food, water, medicine, fuel and electricity. Prices of commodities have tripled and theft in cities has increased. Children’s future is

On 13th August 2021 GNRC members in Kenya convened virtually to formalize a GNRC Committee in the country. A total of twenty one (21) participants attended the event, which was organized by the GNRC Country Coordinator, Kenya, Sh. Ramadhan Aula. In attendance to the meeting was the GNRC Secretary General, Dr. Mustafa Y. Ali. During

Thursday 12th August 2021 is the International Youth Day. It is a significant day in which we celebrate our youth. This year’s theme, “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health,” highlights the fundamental need to collectively protect and rebuild our planet by promoting sustainable solutions for biodiversity. Our earth faces real danger.

GNRC–Tanzania is grieved by the recent passing of Mama Augustina Weria Mosha that occurred on 4th August 2021. Mama Mosha was a mother, sister, friend, leader and a mentor to many people. In her years of service, she touched and cared for many people who sought her counsel. I knew Mama Mosha back in 2008

The Arigatou International and its Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) are deeply saddened by the death of Rev. Telésforo Ramos Castañeda on August 4, 2021. Rev. Castañeda was a diligent member and treasurer of the National Committee of GNRC–Colombia. A Spiritual Director of Escuela Científica Basilio Culto a Dios, Rev. Castañeda was a noble

At the invitation of the Comorian government, GNRC Member in Comoros, Conseil de la Paix, was invited to a workshop on 24th and 25th of June 2021 to launch the compilation and dissemination of legal texts and literature on the protection of children and women in Comoros. The event aimed at reviewing the legal texts,

In a bid to promote a conducive environment for equity, coexistence and constructive teamwork, the GNRC Network in South Africa held its inaugural sports and intercultural ‘meet and greet’ event under the banner, “Youth Power: Growing South Africa Together in the Period of COVID-19 Through Sports,” on 4th July 2021. The event took place during

On 29th June 2021 GNRC Network in Burundi convened an event in Kiyange, Buterere (North of Bujumbura Capital) to celebrate the Day of the African Child, an annual event celebrated every 16th of June since 1991, when the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) first initiated it. The international day honors those who participated in the

Providing relief to low-income families, children and elders (cared for at homes) is an extremely important and urgent need within the context of the third wave of COVID-19 and the transmission restrictions in Sri Lanka. It is due to this dynamics that GNRC member in Sri Lanka is undertaking an exercise to attend to the

GNRC Member Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement continues to offer support to the less fortunate amid the COVID-19 pandemic. More specifically, Sarvodaya has introduced its COVID-19 Relief Services that aim to respond to COVID-19 emergencies in Colombo and its environs. The Sarvodaya Emergency COVID-19 Relief Helpline Services, which started on 1st May 2021, has continuously operated since

The COVID-19 pandemic has left severe damage to the world economies including the stagnation of education. Institutions of learning were forced to close down due to the increase in COVID-19 infections. Learning was conducted online and those who could not afford online learning were forced to use the traditional mode of learning or missed it

In the month of May 2021, GNRC Member in Romania, Education for Change, undertook a two-week program for children under the theme, “Building Safe Learning Contexts for Students.” The program is being implemented by teachers to develop students’ skills to relate in a positive way with the others, equipping students with efficient methods to process

We lived in normal times, just getting over the worldwide Corona crisis, after most of the citizens have become vaccinated. Meanwhile the war broke out. Rockets are sent daily towards Israel and Israel is constantly and heavily bombarding Gaza. Inside Israel there are violent demonstrations mainly in the mixed cities. The very fragile web of

On 24th April 2021 GNRC member, Shanti Ashram, together with Focolare Movement, Arigatou International, University of Mumbai and other GNRC–India partners organized a meeting on, “Inter-generational Reflection and Dialogue on Rediscovering ‘humility’ and ‘humanity’ in the Midst of the COVID–19 Pandemic.” The virtual program attracted 2,127 people through Shanti Ashram’s Facebook live stream and 100

During the National South Africa Freedom Month, GNRC network in South Africa held a Children and Youth Interfaith Network (CAYIN) Freedom Month celebration on 24th April 2021 at the World Assembly of Muslim Youth in Durban, South Africa. Under the theme, “Children – Our Gift and Responsibility,” the CAYIN forum reflected on the many challenges

On 24th April 2021, GNRC members in Nairobi, Kenya led by the GNRC Coordinator, who is also the Director Center for Sustainable Conflict Resolution (CSCR), Sh. Ramadhan Aula Juma, conducted a cleanup exercise in Syokimau, Machakos County aimed at addressing Sustainable Development Goal 13 on climate action, one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established

On 22nd March – 8th April 2021, GNRC member in Kenya the Cry Of A Young One organized a three-week campaign for children and the community of Mathare, Nairobi to sensitize them on the rights of children as ascribed in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The campaign also aimed at

The GNRC Coordinator in Comoros, Mr. Said M’Changama convened a 3-hour meeting at the beginning of March 2021 in the Office of His Eminence the Grand Mufti of Comoros to discuss GNRC-Comoros’ annual activity plan for the fiscal year 2021-2022. Eight (8) GNRC members representing their organizations attended the meeting. The evaluation of the network’s

The 4th edition of the Intergenerational Dialogue organized by Shanti Ashram, a member of the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) in India, brought together young leaders to reflect on the theme, “Leadership and Community Service”. The 150-minutes meeting cohosted by Shanti Ashram and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, saw young people share their experience for

The economic and social effects of COVID-19 pandemic have been quite destructive to many lives. Many people have lost their jobs, others have had to relocate or even sell their properties so as to make ends meet. COVID-19 is eroding the progress made in development and infrastructure. The world is on the brink of falling

The GNRC Committee in South Africa convened a children’s and youth interfaith forum on 6th March 2021 to open up a space where children could share their thoughts on interfaith coexistence as well as give children an opportunity to build a child-friendly society. The one-day activity also aimed to increase participant’s awareness and knowledge about

2020 and 2021 have been years like no other with the world determined to find solutions for the pandemic and recover. As we adjust to the ‘new normal’, today we commemorate the International Women’s Day by upholding the place of women and girls in our societies. International Women’s Day is a global day marked annually

The Arigatou International Advisory Group Member, Sh. Ibrahim Lethome and the GNRC Coordinator for Kenya, Sh. Ramadhan Aula, represented the GNRC Secretary General in the 2nd Zanzibar Peace Conference on 16th January 2021 in Zanzibar. The two-day national conference, which was officially opened by the President and Chairman of the Revolution Council, H.E. Dr. Hussein

FRIENDS OF ZANZIBAR 2ND ZANZIBAR PEACE CONFERENCE Sustainable Peace for Sustainable Development: 16th January 2021 H.E. President of Zanzibar, and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, H.E. The First Vice President of Zanzibar, and Chairman, ACT Zanzibar, Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, H.E. the Second Vice President, Hemed Suleiman Abdallah, Grand Mufti of