Documents
Below is a list of resources intended to help GNRC members and partners work together more effectively for and with children.
GNRC Sixth Forum Concept Note
Access the Concept Note in the following languages:
2022-23 GNRC Annual Report
GNRC Assessment Report
Published: May 16, 2022
20 YEARS OF INTERFAITH COOPERATION FOR CHILDREN
A comprehensive assessment of the global network of religions for children
2000 – 2020
Dr. Kezevino Aram wins the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health 2021 Leadership in Public Health Practice Award
Published: July 20, 2021
The Harvard T.H. Chan Alumni Association Awards Committee has selected Dr. Kezevino Aram for the 2021 Leadership Award in Public Health Practice. Co-Chair of the Committee, Dr. Bernard T. Lee, stated on 8 July 2021 that this was an extremely competitive year; however, Dr. Aram’s exceptional career accomplishments impressed the group in many ways. Dr. Aram’s award will be presented in the Fall.
GLOBAL WEEK of Faith in Action for Children 2020
Published: March 19, 2021
More than 1,700 children, youth, and adults from diverse cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds gathered at the GLOBAL WEEK of Faith in Action for Children, held online from 16 to 20 November 2020.
The GLOBAL WEEK was organized by Arigatou International, in collaboration with KAICIID Dialogue Center, Religions for Peace, Shanti Ashram, UNICEF and World Vision International; and with the support and participation of 64 global, regional, and local partners.
With 25 live sessions in five languages, the GLOBAL WEEK of Faith in Action for Children was a unique opportunity for children, youth, and representatives from different sectors of society to come together to propose joint actions and compelling responses to address the underlying issues that impact children’s well-being, and enhance their participation in matters that concern them, with particular focus on the impacts during and post COVID-19.
Throughout the week, participants were invited to join different activities in three different thematics: Education, Ending Child Poverty and
Ending Violence Against Children. Regional Interfaith Prayers for Children were also organized throughout the week.
The sessions included intergenerational dialogues, interactive workshops, and roundtable discussions. There were four grassroots-led sessions organized by members of the Global Network of Religions for Children, and three child-led sessions, under the title Children as Agents of Positive Change, organized by groups of children and youth, coming from GNRC member organizations and other partner organizations.
As part of the Global Week activities, the “Faith in Action for Children” virtual exhibition was unveiled on November 16, featuring messages, artworks, and multimedia projects by more than 150 children from 33 countries, produced in six different languages.
The week-long event culminated with the celebration of the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children, which marks Universal Children’s Day on 20 November 2020.
Prevention of Violence Against Children
Published: August 04, 2020
The Guide was developed to support the work of the members of the Alliance in the area of violence prevention. The Guide focuses on concrete strategies and actions that faith actors can carry out in primary, secondary and tertiary prevention. The Alliance for the Protection of Children is initiative of more than 50 faith-based organizations and communities created in 2017 in the framework of the Fifth Forum of the Global Network of Religions for Children, to prevent and address the impact of gangs and organized crime on children and youth in Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico. The Alliance is made up of a Regional Steering Committee and 4 National Committees, one in each country of the sub-region. Arigatou International led the Regional Steering Committee from May 2017 to April 2020.
More information: https://www.alianzappn.org/
World Day Against Child Labour, 2020 — Search For Justice
Published: June 12, 2020
Child Rights organizations working for promotion and protection of children’s rights strongly urged provincial government to take all possible measures to implement available legal framework to address the deep-rooted issue of child labour. This was demanded during an online roundtable arranged by Search For Justice to mark World Day Against Child Labour. World Day Against Child Labour 2020 is focusing on the impact of crisis on child labour.
The COVID-19 health pandemic and the resulting economic and labour market shock are having a huge impact on people’s lives and livelihoods. Unfortunately, children are often the first to suffer. The crisis can push millions of vulnerable children into child labour. Already, there are an estimated 152 million children in child labour, 72 million of which are in hazardous work. These children are now at even greater risk of facing circumstances that are even more difficult and working longer hours.
GNRC ANNUAL REPORT 2018 – 2019
Published: December 31, 2019
Guided by the 10 Panama Commitments on Ending Violence Against Children made during the GNRC 5th Forum held in May 2017, remarkable efforts have been made by members of the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) in the year 2018 – 2019.
GNRC’s grassroots efforts are inspired by diverse faith practices and a strong belief that every child is priceless in dignity and deserve to grow up safe and sound. Violence against children is one of the gravest challenges facing the world today, but it does not receive attention commensurate with its scope, scale and nature.
Violence is the leading cause of death and injury of children in the world. The evidence is overwhelming. UNICEF reports that in every five minutes, a child is killed in a violent act. About 1 billion of the 2.2 billion children around the world endure different forms of physical and sexual violence, irrespective of ethnicity, nationality, race, religion or income levels. In 2012 alone, 95,000 children between the ages of 15-19 died as a result of violence.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
Published: November 19, 2019
Nearly 25 years ago, the world made a promise to children: that we would do everything in our power to protect and promote their rights to survive and thrive, to learn and grow, to make their voices heard and to reach their full potential.
This year, as we approach the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), there is much to celebrate: from declining infant mortality, to rising school enrollment, to better opportunities for girls. In spite of the overall gains, there are many children who have fallen even further behind. Old challenges have combined with new problems to deprive many children of their rights and the benefits of development. To meet these challenges, and to reach those children who are hardest to reach, we need new ways of thinking and new ways of doing.
CRAVE Interfaith Resource Guide
Published: August 04, 2018
The Community Resilience Against Violent Extremism (CRAVE) is an interfaith peace-building program whose objective is to prevent violent extremism and transform conflicts in which mostly young people are involved in the Eastern Africa region.
The CRAVE program was launched in 2014 by the members of the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) from Eastern Africa region with support from local and international partners.
The GNRC 5th Forum Report
We invite you all to read this comprehensive report of the GNRC 5th Forum.
Published: January 31, 2018
This is a comprehensive report of the GNRC 5th Forum. It is a summary of all aspects of the Forum, including the speeches, papers presented, contributions and transcripts of messages delivered at the Forum. In this report, you will find the remarks from distinguished guests during the opening ceremony, and thereafter the keynote addresses, followed by the special session on ending violence against children. The report further details the discussions at the regional working groups and the panel discussions, the “All for Children” session, the special thematic sessions, and the closing ceremony. The report also captures the pre-meeting for children that took place on 6-8 May 2017.
The Panama Declaration on Ending Violence Against Children
Published: January 31, 2018
Challenged by the global epidemic of violence against children, we, leaders and members of the world’s religious and spiritual traditions, girls and boys, women and men, from 70 countries, together with representatives of governments, the United Nations, and international and grassroots organizations, met in Panama City, Panama for the 5th Forum of the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC), from 9-11 May 2017.
Building upon the GNRC’s 17 years of service to the world’s children, we affirm the fundamental dignity of every boy and girl. We reaffirm the moral imperative to protect children from harm, as enshrined and protected in the teachings of all of the world’s religious and spiritual communities and in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and its optional protocols. We believe in the power of interfaith cooperation to transform the world.
We grieve the fact that half of the world’s children endure physical, psychological or sexual violence. It is unacceptable that every five minutes, a child somewhere is killed in a violent act.
A Familiar Face: Violence in the lives of children and adolescents
Published: December 01, 2017
All children have the right to be protected from violence inflicted on them by anyone in their lives – whether parents, teachers, friends, romantic partners or strangers. And all forms of violence experienced by children, regardless of the nature or severity of the act, are harmful. Beyond the unnecessary hurt and pain it causes, violence undermines children’s sense of self-worth and hinders their development.
Alone and Frightened
Published: December 01, 2017
The Goldin Institute (GI), Arigatou International (AI) and the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) partnered with the African Council of Religious Leaders—Religions for Peace (ACRL—RfP) and the Interreligious Council of Uganda (IRCU) in a project to establish a regional mechanism for child soldiers’ prevention and reintegration. Uganda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were the initial target countries. The first phase of the project focused on establishing a national platform in Uganda through a participatory and consultative approach.
The GNRC Fifth Forum Declaration
The Panama Declaration on Ending Violence Against Children
Published: May 19, 2017
Challenged by the global epidemic of violence against children, we, leaders and members of the world’s religious and spiritual traditions, girls and boys, women and men, from 70 countries, together with representatives of governments, the United Nations, and international and grassroots organizations, met in Panama City, Panama for the 5th Forum of the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC), from 9-11 May 2017.
GNRC Annual Report 2016-2017
Published: May 15, 2017
A Call To Action To End Violence Against Children
Remarkable efforts were made by members of the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) in 2016-2017. Their grassroots efforts, carried out in more than 43 countries around the world, were inspired by diverse faith practices and a strong belief that every child is priceless in dignity and deserves to grow up safe and sound. GNRC members tackle a variety of issues that cause suffering for children, including poverty, injustice, and exploitation. All of these issues are directly or indirectly linked to violence against children.
Annual Report 2015-2016
Published: September 19, 2016
In this report, the GNRC activities carried out in 2015/2016, are summarized. I thank all those who have supported our work across the world. Children are the future, and hope for a more peaceful world.
As we prepare for the GNRC 5th Forum to take place in May 9th, 10th and 11th 2017 in Panama City, Panama – a Forum that will exclusively address the issue of violence against children, I welcome you to join the GNRC members around the world in ending violence against children.
Learning to Live Together Programme
Published: May 17, 2016
Learning to Live Together is the first outcome of the worldwide ethics education initiative launched by the Arigatou Foundation and its Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC).
The Interfaith Council on Ethics Education for Children, established by the Arigatou Foundation, serves as an international resource centre and nexus for dialogue, partnership and action to promote ethics education for children and interfaith learning.
World's Aids Day, India
Published: December 19, 2015
Shanti Ashram World AIDS Day, celebrated annually on 1stDecember brings together people from around the world to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and demonstrate international solidarity in the face of the pandemic. The day is an opportunity for public and private partners to create awareness about the status of the pandemic and encourage progress in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care in high prevalence countries around the world. The rallying theme, Getting to zero: Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS related deaths is a call for governments and other key actors to act now.
Alone and Frightened
Published: October 09, 2015
The Goldin Institute (GI), Arigatou International (AI) and the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) partnered with the African Council of Religious Leaders—Religions for Peace (ACRL—RfP) and the Interreligious Council of Uganda (IRCU) in a project to establish a regional mechanism for child soldiers’ prevention and reintegration. Uganda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were the initial target countries. The first phase of the project focused on establishing a national platform in Uganda through a participatory and consultative approach.
African Faith Leaders Statement on Financing for Development
Published: August 04, 2015
We, Religious Leaders from all over Africa, under the auspices of the Africa Interfaith Initiative on the Post 2015 Development Agenda, have met in Nairobi at the Desmond Tutu Conference Centre on 21 May 2015 to reflect on Funding for Development (FfD) in light of the ongoing debate on shaping the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Annual Report 2014-2015
Published: July 06, 2015
The 2014/2015 annual report presents a summary of key activities implemented by the GNRC members in some 40 countries around the world.
GNRC focused on Ethics Education for Children, Prayer and Action for Children, End Child Poverty as well as Peacebuilding to safeguard and protect the environment that children live in. Once again I thank all those who have supported our work across the globe with the aim of achieving a better and peaceful world for children.
Call to End Child Poverty - Statement
Published: January 21, 2015
In an age where 1.1 billion children face life without food, malnourished, with little access to shelter, health facilities and quality education – human progress is inconceivable. There is a cost to this inaction. It compromises the beginnings we give our children and condemns them to a life full of inequalities.
Today, as the world commemorates the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, we remind ourselves that the impact of poverty on children is often irreversible. This should underline the urgency and focus required to end child poverty. It is unfortunate that even with so much social and economic progress, in many societies across the world, poverty continues to be deeply entrenched for many. In these countries, the lives of hundreds of millions of men, women and children are blighted by extreme, profound and multi-dimensional poverty. This is particularly cruel conditioning for children and the generations that will follow them.
GNRC Fourth Forum Report
Published: January 21, 2015
The Fourth Forum of the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) was held from 16th – 18th June 2012 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, under the theme of “Ending Poverty, Enriching Children: INSPIRE. ACT. CHANGE.” Four hundred and seventy (470) participants from 64 different countries around the world, including 49 children and young people, engaged in spirited discussions focused on what the world’s faith communities can do together to end child poverty.
The members of the GNRC Fourth Forum Organizing Committee, chaired by Dr. Mustafa Ali, wisely guided the preparations for the forum, and their excellent planning was put into action by the Local Hosting Committee, chaired by Sr. Jean Pruitt. Countless others are deserving of our profound gratitude for making the forum a success, not the least of which are the Fourth Forum Co-patrons H.E. Ambassador Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim and His Lordship Bishop Dr. Method Kilaini, the African Council of Religious Leaders, and the Forum Secretary General Abubakar Kabwogi. All of the staff and the wonderful volunteers worked very hard to ensure our time together in Dar es Salaam, the “Haven of Peace,” would lead to a wonderful outcome.
Shining Ever Brighter
Published: December 27, 2014
It was in February 1945, very near the end of World War II, that I had the great fortune to meet Rev. Kohei Miyamoto, whom Myochikai members revere as Daionshi, or great spiritual leader. Not long after, I began a new life with the Daionshi and his wife, Rev. Mitsu Miyamoto. At that time, they were poor and unknown ordinary people, but I was deeply impressed by their passion and devotion to the Buddhist faith.
The Daionshi was totally selfless, free from complaints and frustrations, and constantly exuded a deep gratitude for all things. During the severe bombing of Tokyo near the end of the war, he kept a lonely vigil at the head temple of the religious organization to which he belonged. Despite suffering burns in the explosions, he stayed there, risking his life to protect the spiritual treasures in the building. This kind of unwavering faith—and putting it into practice—is the essence of the spirit of Myochikai.
If you have suggestions about further resources to add here, please email gnrc@arigatouinternational.org.
