Policy Advocacy

URI is a non-governmental organization (NGO) with consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
MOU signing between URI and WPPS

URI works at the policymaking level in partnership with UN agencies, urging lawmakers and governments to recognize the need for peace, justice, and protection of basic human rights.

Examples of our work in this Action Area:

  • The United Religions Initiative at the United Nations CC, based at the United Nations in New York, provides an ongoing URI presence at the UN about topics like nuclear disarmament, sustainability, women's rights, and more.
  • When the governor of Tennessee (USA) stated that he did not want refugees to resettle in his state, the Northeast Tennessee Chapter URI Cooperation Circle joined a chorus of voices to express their support for refugee rights. They published an advertisement in their local newspaper and said, “Let us all speak out against religious, racial and ethnic animosity and encourage all people to be compassionately welcoming.” A few months later, the governor reversed his position.
  • Three German URI Cooperation Circles, along with ten other interfaith institutions, signed and delivered to their mayor a statement affirming freedom of religion and requesting equal treatment of followers of different traditions.
Search for Cooperation Circles (CCs) with a focus on Policy Advocacy

Stories

Is Interfaith Evolving? The Attendees at Reimagining Interfaith Think So!

In total, close to 300 people were gathered with an overarching goal of joining together to learn from one another and to brainstorm new ways of galvanizing interfaith leaders and activists to take interfaith work to the next level. The desire to make a difference in our troubled times was a common thread among participants