This August, URI was proud to take part in the G20 Interfaith Forum (G20IF) held in Cape Town, South Africa—a global gathering that brings together religious leaders, policymakers, academics, and grassroots peacebuilders to explore the role of faith in addressing today’s most urgent challenges
More than 20 members from the URI network were in attendance, including representatives from the following local Cooperation Circles:
- Cape Town Interfaith Initiative
- Faith Hope Love Communities
- SAFCEI (Southern African Faith Communities’ Environmental Institute)
- Breaking Walls
URI’s participation highlighted the power of grassroots interfaith cooperation in preventing violence, promoting justice, and healing communities. Through panels and informal exchanges, URI shared stories from across its global network, demonstrating how dialogue, trust, and shared action are building peace in practical, community-led ways.
Grace Chilongo, URI member from Malawi and Merylene Chitharai, URI member from South Africa, spoke on a panel titled “The Impact of Theology and Advocacy in Action” where they shared about their work as climate activists, bringing faith communities together to advocate for local climate actions.
Sarah Oliver, URI’s Global Learning and Action Coordinator and Babalwa Ngcongolo from Charter for Compassion, spoke on a panel titled “Women’s Roles in Building Peace and Sustainable Communities” which unpacked the nuances and complexities of women’s leadership and experience in peacebuilding efforts. One message was clear, women are incredibly strong and powerful peacebuilders! We see this across the URI network in many ways.
Grace Chilongo was also invited to speak at the plenary on the final day as part of an Interactive Session between Elders and Youth. Highlighting the need for intergenerational collaboration when it comes to the issues of climate change, she said
“We don’t want to deal with these issues alone, we need the older generation to be with us. We need youth to be involved in everything that has been going on” - Grace Chilongo, Malawi, URI Individual Member
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnKkCxLXaQE&list=PLwjUtDUK8apdjKzsVhangcqttVKUalt43&index=15
The forum also deepened URI’s collaboration with ACWAY (A Common Word Among the Youth). Together, URI was a partner for the ACWAY Youth Forum, which brought 50 young people together for a youth-focused day of programming, before the main forum. The young people were therefore prepared and ready to share their voices and participate actively in the main forum.
Reflecting on the Youth Forum, Zahra wrote:
“It felt amazing knowing that there were thousands of people who knew this world needs change and who knew they wanted to be part of something this amazing and they stepped up. They took that as a responsibility and united regardless of faith, regardless of colour and regardless of religious beliefs or personal opinions.
It truly felt like I found my like minded people which was welcoming. I found it mesmerising that everyone had the same idea that we need to step up and yet they had so many different ideas of action to solve these difficulties. I think in that moment of realisation I finally understood that empathy was an action which was one of the many lessons of that day but it was one that really stood out from the rest.” - Zahra Jobe, Cape Town Interfaith Initiative
G20 Interfaith Forum was the first global interfaith gathering for Sinelo Makalambana and Sherwin Phillips from Breaking Walls. Sherwin wrote after the gathering:
“Attending the 2025 G20 International Interfaith Youth Forum was a life-changing experience that surpassed my expectations in every aspect. Over the course of five days, I had the opportunity to connect with young leaders from diverse faith backgrounds, engage in meaningful conversations, and explore the complexities of interfaith collaboration.
The forum provided a safe and welcoming space for us to share our stories, listen to one another’s views, and challenge our own beliefs.
One of the most profound takeaways from the forum was the realization that, despite our differences, we share a common humanity and a deep desire for connection and understanding. Through workshops, panel discussions, and community service projects, we collaborated to build bridges of understanding and cultivate a sense of global citizenship. The experience not only broadened my knowledge of different faith traditions but also inspired me to become a more empathetic and compassionate leader in my community.” - Sherwin Phillips, Breaking Walls
As one of the youngest participants, Sinelo experienced care of the youth delegation and support in discovering the global landscape of interfaith work. She wrote: “The 2025 G20
Interfaith Youth Forum was truly an excellent experience for me, one that I will never forget. I got to learn new things, explore new cultures and religions, and meet many different people. I am truly grateful for this opportunity. It was truly remarkable, especially the message that says “umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu”, which means “people helping each other”, and I love how the Forum promotes love and world peace.”
As part of the Youth Forum programme, URI hosted a workshop on Peacebuilding through Earth Restoration. Sarah, Grace and Immanuel co-facilitated the workshop, with words of input from Ambassador Mussie Hailu and URI SAR Regional Coordinator, Nyasha Mukaratirwa. After the event, Nyasha wrote:
“The G20 Interfaith Forum reminded me of the transformative power of dialogue. Faith communities have an undeniable role in shaping peace, justice, and resilience globally. The most powerful takeaway from the G20 Interfaith Forum was the unity across traditions — a collective commitment to dignity, compassion, and hope.”
This introduced participants to one of URI’s key programmatic areas - how our work to restore Earth can also bring peace amongst communities. Participants explored the political, economic, social and spiritual shifts that need to happen to embed our spiritual and indigenous wisdom so that our community systems support and benefit all people and species, including nature.
URI remains an engaged partner in the broader G20 Interfaith Forum platform. Through this collaboration, we work to bring the insights and impact of grassroots actors into global policy conversations, ensuring that faith is not just represented, but actively contributes to a more just and peaceful world.
Read more about G20IF from our CCs in South Africa: https://capeinterfaith.org.za/
