KAICIID participated in the UN Consultation with Faith-based Organizations (FBO) meeting in New York, 9-11 July, to develop recommendations for the UN on how to engage FBOs within the sustainable development goals process.

KAICIID Senior Advisor, Mohammed Abu-Nimer, member of the “Network of Peers”, led the panel, “Religion, Conflict, Peace and Security” and was one of 45 government representatives, faith organization members and UN agencies’ representatives who discussed ways to collaborate. The panel identified how religious organizations can play a role in governance policies, peace and security, gender equality and women empowerment.

The “Network of Peers” was established in May 2014 at a meeting of the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Engaging with Faith-Based Organizations for Sustainable Development, Digni, University College London and George Mason University. These groups convened to assess partnerships and emerging dynamics that link religion to international development. Evolving global priorities for 2015-2030, the “sustainable development goals” will be adopted by the United Nations in September 2015. The “Network of Peers” develops proposals to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals through collaboration between FBOs, civil society, governments and international organisations. One of KAICIID’s roles is to act as hub to facilitate collaboration between religious communities and governments to combine strengths in support of the common good.