Global Forum Of Faith-Based Organizations On Population And Development

On October 20th and 21st, 2008 a global forum of faith-based organizations on “Population and development” was convened by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Istanbul, Turkey. The two-day gathering addressed such challenges as HIV/AIDS and maternity death, youth and migration, violence against women, poverty as well as emergency situation and humanitarian aid. During the meeting days participants expressed their commitment to strengthen and enhance working relations between faith-based organizations and UNFPA to combat in joint the issues as prioritized at the forum.
Dr Karen Nazaryan, Executive Director of the Armenia Round Table, was one the representatives of Eastern European countries and made an input to the forum by a presentation on the theme “Youth and Regional Reconciliation.”
The forum established a network of faith-based organizations, the aim of which is to continue systematic cooperation with UNFPA and other organizations of UN. According to Dr. Nazaryan, the role of religious leaders in addressing many of the social challenges is important, yet it will have much more impact if coupled with political involvement and action.