Sovereign Order Of Malta organises “religions together for humanitarian action” Symposium in Geneva

05/27/2015. Representatives of four different faiths – Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Vedantism – as well as experts and diplomatic representatives, leaders of secular and faith-based humanitarian organisations met in the United Nations for the ‘Religions Together for Humanitarian Action’ symposium organised by the Sovereign Order of Malta. The Director General of the United Nations Office Geneva opened the symposium.

Keynote speech of The Grand Chancellor Albrecht Boeselager

Some proposals emerged from the debate, consisting of two panels, each with five speakers.

• To seek a basis of shared values,
• To create a code of conduct applicable to all institutions and organisations engaged in humanitarian aid,
• To reach local communities by investing in infrastructure and assistance networks already present in the territories involved in conflicts,
• Not to mention promoting the values of humanitarian bodies to combat prejudices of both people and governments.

Order of Malta Ambassador Stefano Ronca outlined the purpose of the symposium.

Recalling  the humanitarian principles ratified by the international community

In his concluding speech, the Sovereign Order of Malta’s Grand Hospitaller Dominique de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel recalled the imperative to reassert firmly “the humanitarian principles the international community ratified after World War II in full respect of local traditions and cultures”. The Grand Hospitaller encouraged dialogue and cooperation among the different faiths.

Learn more 

• Read the Interview (in french) of the Grand Chancellor of the Order of Malta, HE Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager 
• Read the Proceedings 
• Read the article on the Order of Malta website 
• World Humanitarian Summit website