The world is facing an unprecedented displacement crisis. More people have been forced from their homes than ever before, with over 100 million people – one per cent of the entire global population – now seeking sanctuary from war, violence and persecution.
As people flee, faith-inspired communities are often the very first to welcome them and offer support. The idea of “Welcoming the Stranger” is a core pillar of many of the world’s major religions, and local faith actors are at the forefront of the international response to the crisis. They are often the first and last line of support, responding before any international humanitarian response begins and remaining after its funding dries up.
There is much the world can learn from local faith actors, and in turn they need much more support.
On World Refugee Day 2022, HIAS, Islamic Relief Worldwide and Lutheran World Federation are bringing together faith actors from all over the world to highlight their efforts and share their experiences, challenges and the lessons we can all learn from their work.
The “Welcoming the Stranger: Shaping the Future” conference – being held in Geneva on 20-21 June – will bring together more than 50 local and national practitioners of faith-sensitive response to displacement from at least 37 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and North America.
It’s being organised with support from UNHCR and in collaboration with other leading faith-based organizations*, and will contribute to a more coordinated and effective international response to displacement.
The vast majority of displaced people are hosted by their neighbours – whether neighbouring states or neighbouring communities within their own country. Some 85 per cent of refugees are hosted in developing nations.
In 2018 the UN General Assembly adopted the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), which is designed to share the responsibility for hosting and protecting refugees more evenly. The GCR recognizes the role that faith actors can play, particularly in building social cohesion, tackling xenophobia and promoting durable solutions to the displacement crisis.
But many local faith actors still get little support to do this, and much of their work goes unrecognized.
The conference therefore aims to improve partnership between grassroots faith actors and the international humanitarian system, and better include them in responses. By working more closely together we can provide better protection and an improved welcome to displaced people around the world.
*The conference is guided by a steering committee consisting of: A World of Neighbours, Finn Church Aid, the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers; and the Faith to Action Network.
Our shared values
As faith-based organizations responding to crises worldwide, HIAS, Islamic Relief Worldwide and LWF act to protect and fulfil the needs and rights of the most vulnerable people, whoever they are. We do this not only as our humanitarian duty, but because our spiritual teachings guide us to do so.
For Jews, Muslims and Christians, offering shelter and a welcome to those most in need is more than just a professional obligation; it is a commandment written in our sacred texts.
Through this partnership and mutual respect, we celebrate what makes us the same, and what makes us different, in a bid to improve lives for the millions of people seeking sanctuary, help, protection and support.
Powerful forces are at play today, emphasising differences and generating division amongst people. Religion can often be manipulated and mobilised in this harmful effort. But it can – and must – also be mobilised against it, to promote universal justice and our shared humanity and origins.
Every day around the world, millions of people of faith demonstrate the positive power of faith in action – a power mobilised most often when somebody needs help: wherever they are from, whoever they are, whatever they need.
More Information
- Supporting refugees: Join us in welcoming the stranger, living as neighbours | Islamic Relief Worldwide (islamic-relief.org)
- Three of the world’s major faith-based organisations commit to “Welcome The Stranger” | Islamic Relief Worldwide (islamic-relief.org)
- Islamic Relief and Lutheran World Federation global cooperation | Islamic Relief Worldwide (islamic-relief.org)
- Islamic Relief joins the call for sanctuary and support for the world’s 25 million refugees at UN Global Refugee Forum | Islamic Relief Worldwide (islamic-relief.org)
- Islamic Relief welcomes the Global Compact on refugees | Islamic Relief Worldwide (islamic-relief.org)
- Refugees and Displaced People | Islamic Relief Worldwide (islamic-relief.org)
- UNHCR report capturing our pledge alongside others made by civil society at the 1st Global Refugee Forum Where we stand: stocktaking of the implementation of pledges made by civil society at the 2019 Global Refugee Forum | The Global Compact on Refugees | Digital platform (globalcompactrefugees.org)