Berkley Center

Religious representatives and researchers are involved in the efforts to promote a global ceasefire by stopping weapons production and proliferation, and to support the United Nations secretary-general’s and Pope Francis’ calls for a global ceasefire. Following the pope's historic visit to Iraq and meeting with Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani, leaders of the Vatican and SCRAP weapons executives presented world leaders and civil society with practical measures in support of the United Nations secretary-general’s call for a global ceasefire, through the SCRAP Treaty and the Freeze Weapons moratorium.

This webinar consisted of three sessions. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secretary of state of the Holy Father; Cardinal Peter K.A. Turkson, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development; and Prof. Dan Plesch, director of the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD) at SOAS University of London, offered introductory remarks. The second session addressed international law and concrete methods to pursue disarmament. The third session highlighted the vital role ecumenical and interreligious dialogue can play. Closing remarks were given by Msgr. Bruno Marie Duffé, secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. The sessions were moderated by Dr. Alessio Pecorario, coordinator of the Security Taskforce of the Vatican COVID-19 Commission.

The complete program and additional information is available on the dicastery website.

This event was hosted by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development in collaboration with the Strategic Concept for the Removal of Arms and Proliferation (SOAS University of London); organized with the support of institutions of the Roman Curia, including the Pontifical Councils for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID) and for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU); and with the Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). Co-sponsors of the event also include: Pax Christi International, the Catholic Peacebuilding Network, the Catholic University of America Institute for Policy Research, and the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs at Georgetown University.