History

The World Conference of Religions for Peace convened for the first time in Kyoto, Japan, on 16-21 October 1970. However, the origins of Religions for Peace date to 1961, when a handful of senior leaders from the world''s major faith traditions began exploring the possibilities for organizing a "religious summit" to address the need for believers around the world to take action toward achieving peace.

Fulfilling its mission to engage religious communities on the national and regional levels, Religions for Peace is today organized on several levels: the International Secretariat in New York, Regional Conferences in Europe and Asia, more than 75 affiliates at the national level, and a number of local units. Religions for Peace enjoys consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations, with UNESCO, and with UNICEF.