The United Nations adopted a resolution sponsored by the Philippines that pushes for interfaith dialogue for global peace and development. The Philippine mission to the United Nations said the UN General Assembly’s 65th session adopted the resolution that was co-sponsored by 54 other states. “This brings to the fore the importance of a holistic approach to help solve the challenges to global peace and development we now face,” said Ambassador Libran Cabactulan, Philippine representative to the UN. “What we are striving to do is to draw peoples closer in greater understanding and respect in order to move them forward together towards peace and development,” Cabactulan said in a statement. He said the so-called “hard approach” is not sufficient to bring peace for so long as there is suspicion, bigotry and extremism. “These evils have to be addressed, and these are addressed through the important human dimensions of religion and culture.” Throughout the three-month negotiations for the text of the resolution, the sponsors highlighted concrete interreligious and intercultural dialogue projects that have helped foster an environment of peace. Cabactulan cited strong civil society movements in the southern Philippines that supported interfaith dialogue and resulted in better relations among the Christian, Muslim and tribal communities there. “Interfaith dialogue is an important component of the Philippines’ peace and development program and similar experiences and outcomes in other parts of the world attest to the need for greater dialogue and understanding and their positive impact on societies and peace and security,” he said. Related reports Interfaith dialogue aims at common good Talks between religions ‘good for business’ Time to take interfaith talks further, says priest PR12768.1636