ADDIS ABABA, 5th November, 2024 (WAM) – Ethiopian President Taye Atski Selassie praised the UAE’s initiatives on fostering tolerance, citizenship and global peace at the inaugural edition of the International Conference on Interfaith Dialogue in Addis Ababa organised by Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities.
The first-of-its-kind summit, held in cooperation with the Ethiopian Ministry of Peace and the Interfaith Council, took place on November 4-5, 2024 and gathered ministers, ambassadors, as well as important leaders from different religions.
The conference aims to provide a platform for open dialogue on enhancing interfaith understanding, spreading the values of tolerance and peace, and supporting comprehensive citizenship, in line with the UAE’s experience in consolidating coexistence and building bridges of cooperation between different cultures.
Selassie’s statement was made on the opening day of the conference, in which he also lauded the UAE’s efforts in promoting interfaith dialogue and upholding the values of tolerance and coexistence, as well as its interest in building bridges of cultural communication in the international community. He also extended thanks and appreciation to the Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities for its efforts in supporting cultural and scientific projects in Ethiopia.
Other important highlights of the opening day include the speech delivered by Dr. Khalifa Al Dhaheri, Chancellor of the university, in which he stressed that the conference’s themes were consistent with the strategic directions of the UAE, and with the vision and initiatives of the Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities in promoting of tolerance, coexistence and peace. He said that this conference represents an important platform for promoting interfaith dialogue, encouraging peaceful coexistence and national unity as well as consolidating the values of tolerance, citizenship and peace in the world.
The session concluded with the signing of a cooperation agreement between Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities and the Ethiopian Ministry of Peace. The agreement affirms the university’s commitment to enhancing scientific cooperation with Ethiopia and supporting initiatives that contribute to promoting tolerance and peaceful coexistence in the region.
The conference also witnessed the announcement of the launch of the Addis Ababa Document for Tolerance, Citizenship and Peace with the participation of religious leaders, which is considered a covenant of peace and tolerance. Moreover, the landmark document is seen as a major step towards achieving true solidarity that enhances national integration as well as moral and human solidarity as a fundamental foundation of religious dialogue, respect for beliefs and religious pluralism, and the promotion of the concept of citizenship.
Moreover, the document is also perceived as an essential pillar in interfaith understanding and building bridges for open dialogue and communication. The declaration marks a new historical and civilizational achievement that Ethiopia is presenting to the global community.
During the two-day conference, a wide range of activities was also organized for university students. It had an accompanying exhibition that highlighted projects and initiatives related to coexistence and tolerance by ministries, institutions and organizations from Asia, Africa and Europe which reflects international interest in the values of tolerance and coexistence and reinforces the university’s keenness to build bridges of scientific and cultural communication among peoples.
Dr. Karima Al Mazrouei, Advisor to the Chancellor, also delivered a presentation on “The UAE’s Strategic Model in Building Peace and Tolerance,” where she explained the UAE’s approach to and strategy in promoting the values of coexistence and peace at the local and international levels. Al Mazroui called on participating countries to adopt a similar strategy, and leverage the power of education and cultural communication as effective tools for achieving mutual understanding and respect, noting that the UAE considers these values an integral part of its renaissance and progress.