We Can Prevent the Bankruptcy of the Sacred – Dare we Try?

Religious leaders. Credit: UN Photo/Rick BajornasBy Azza KaramNEW YORK, Jul 22 2021 (IPS) The UN High Level Political Forum (HLPF) came to a conclusion on July 15th. Another HLPF, another series of declaration, and commitments and concerns articulated by governments. All of which are besieged by the combined pandemics of institutional and systemic failures, increasing violence, global warming which has already led to the deaths of species and humans, and of course, Covid-19 and the utter shame of only the rich getting vaccinated. And the results of this High Level Political Forum? Not the dramatic changes that our planetary existence cries for. Not even the radical introspection about each of the governance and civic responsibilities attested to by various human rights and humanitarian catastrophes in almost every corner of the world. In fact, the HLPF, like so many other summits and consultations between and among governments, has ended with more of the same. But who am I to challenge or hold accountable? What have I done to try to make an iota of difference? I ask myself that as a human being, as a citizen, as a woman, as a person of faith, as many other things. But most importantly, as the person elected to serve the world’s largest multi-faith leadership and grassroots organization. I ask as a person who has devoted over 30 years of studying and working in and on the intersections of religion with international development, democratization, governance and human rig...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: COVID-19 Featured Global Headlines Health Human Rights Humanitarian Emergencies Inequity TerraViva United Nations Women's Health Source Type: news