G20 Interfaith Forum 2021
Urgent action to vaccinate populations equitably across the world against COVID-19, a global and G20 absolute priority, can be supported by religious communities, through advocacy and direct action. This can enhance a more universalist approach to vaccine productions and distribution. The COVID-19 pandemic also highlights the need to strengthen public and basic health systems and to prepare for future pandemics, both areas where religious communities are intensely involved with profit and non-profit initiatives. Cross-sectoral partnerships need to engage actively,  harnessing lessons of experience. The central questions that the Forum addressed were if and how in a post-COVID-19 world, health systems and technology can more broadly reinforce human-centered and inclusive approaches.

Jean-François de Lavison was asked to chair the session “Post-Covid, Ethical and Practical Challenges of the Here and Now, reconstruction” on September 14, with the following speakers:

  • Katherine Marshall, Senior Fellow at the Berkeley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University
  • David Rosen, International Director of Interreligious Affairs at the American Jewish Committee 
  • Khushwant Singh, Head of Secretariat at the International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD)
  • David H. Moore, Associate Director of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies

Watch this session: