G20 INTERFAITH FORUM 2025
Participant Directory
If you would like to be added or would like a change
made to your bio please contact [email protected]
Argentina
Federico Kähnlein | Vice President of International Projects and Chief Operations Officer at The Stirling Foundation
Federico Kahnlein is the Chief Operations Officer and Vice President of International Projects at The Stirling Foundation. He began his career as co-owner and Operations Manager in a manufacturing company in Argentina, advancing the agricultural and food industries. Later, he managed international operations and physical facilities for a global nonprofit in South America. After a sabbatical for volunteer religious service, he worked in the U.S. energy market, supporting large energy users with sustainability goals. Kahnlein, a board member of the Utah Association of Energy Engineers, holds a degree in Energy Management, a bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Belgrano, and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. He and his wife, Sabrina, have four children.
Prof. Dr. Juan G. Navarro Floria | Vice President of the Argentine Council for Religious Freedom (CALIR)
Prof. Dr. Juan G. Navarro Floria is a lawyer and Professor of Legal Sciences with a PhD in Law. He serves as a Full Professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina in the Faculty of Law and Canon Law. As the founder and former President of the Latin American Consortium for Religious Freedom and Vice President of the Argentine Council for Religious Freedom (CALIR), he is also a member of the Civil Law Institute of the National Academy of Law. Floria has authored numerous books, chapters, and articles published internationally, focusing on Law and Religion, Education, and Civil and Family Law.
Elias Szczytnicki | Regional Secretary General of Religions for Peace Latin America and the Caribbean
Elias Szczytnicki serves as the Regional Secretary General for Religions for Peace Latin America and the Caribbean since 2004 and as Secretary General of the Latin American and Caribbean Council of Religious Leaders (LACCRL). He organizes high-level meetings with global figures, including Pope Francis, and represents LACCRL at the United Nations, the Organization of American States (OAS), the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB), and the World Economic Forum (WEF). Previously, he was Secretary of the Interfaith Committee of Peru. Szczytnicki, an Argentine residing in Peru since 1991, holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP). He is married with one son.
Country
Country
Add Text Here
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Add Text Here
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Add Text Here
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Australia
Bakary Camara | General Overseer, Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD) Africa
Since 2022, Bakary Camara has served as General Overseer of the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD) Africa, an NGO with a signed MOU with AU/CIDO, founded by Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon in 2016 to promote interreligious dialogue and peace. Since 2020, he has been Co-Chair of the Africa Cheon Eui Won (Council of Elders) of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification Africa, co-founded by Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon. Since 1994, his primary responsibilities have included educating families and youths for world peace. Camara has led religious leaders from Africa to numerous conferences and seminars in Africa, the USA, Europe, and South Korea, and has facilitated meetings with heads of state and government across Africa.
Lisa Churcher | Global Program Manager at the Human Trafficking Institute
Lisa Churcher, an Australian lawyer, grew up attending Canberra Baptist Church, shaping her commitment to human rights and social justice. After practicing law in Melbourne, she moved to Kampala, Uganda, as a legal fellow with International Justice Mission, protecting widows and orphans from property grabbing. She later worked for the Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia, focusing on children’s rights and child trafficking. After returning to Uganda as an independent consultant on justice, land rights, and gender issues, she joined the Human Trafficking Institute and relocated to Cape Town.
Dr. Andre Oboler | Chief Executive Officer of the Online Hate Prevention Institute
Dr. Andre Oboler is the CEO of the Online Hate Prevention Institute, an Australian organization addressing online hate and extremism. He serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at La Trobe Law School and chairs the Global Policy Caucus of the IEEE. As an Expert Member of Australia’s Delegation to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, he has advised governments, intergovernmental bodies, and technology platforms. His pioneering work highlighted the normalization of antisemitism (2008) and Islamophobia (2013) via social media. Oboler holds a PhD in Computer Science from Lancaster University (UK) and an LLM (Juris Doctor) and B. Comp. Sci. (Hons) from Monash University.
Azerbaijan
His Virtue Prof. Dr. Allahshukur Pashazade | Sheikh ul-Islam of the Caucasus
His Virtue Prof. Dr. Allahshukur Pashazade is the current Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims’ Board (CMB), Chairman of the Qazi Council (Fetwa institution) of the CMB and Sheikh ul-Islam of Caucasus. Born in 1949, Azerbaijan, he received his religious education in Mir Arab Madrasah, Bukhara, then at Tashkent Islamic University, Uzbekistan, graduating in 1975. Upon his return to Azerbaijan, he held several religious posts. In 1980 he was elected Chairman of CMB and received the title of XXII Sheikh ul-Islam of Caucasus.
His Virtue has been co-chair of the CIS Interreligious Council since 2004 and currently serves as chairman of both the Advisory Council of Muslim Leaders of CIS and the Supreme Religious Board of Caucasian peoples. He is a Senior Fellow at the Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought in Jordan and a Fellow of the “Taqreeb bayn al Mazaheb” Committee and the “Dar al Taqreeb” Foundation, both dedicated to Islamic convergence.
Ravan Hasanov | Chief Executive Officer of Baku International Multiculturalism Center
Ravan Hasanov received a bachelor’s degree from the Faculty of Law of Baku State University, graduating with honors. He received a master’s degree in law from the University of Potsdam in Germany and successfully completed the Department of Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, and Criminology program. On February 16, 2018, he defended his dissertation for PhD at the Institute of Law and Human Rights at Azerbaijan National Academy of Science, specializing in penal enforcement law. From March 2016 to April 2017 he worked as a senior specialist for the State Advisory Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on International, Multicultural and Religious Affairs, and from April to July 2017 he was a counselor. By the order of President Ilham Aliyev, in February 2019 Hasanov was appointed as Executive Director of the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre.
Ramin Gambarov | Vice Chief Executive Officer of Baku International Multiculturalism Center
Fazil Mustafa | Member of The Parliament, Azerbaijan
Graduated from the Faculty of Law of Azerbaijan State University. Doctor of philosophy. Member of the Amnesty Commission under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. President of the Special Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan. Member of the Board of Directors of the Confederation of Lawyers of Azerbaijan. Since 1991 worked as an assistant and adviser to the chairman of the Azerbaijan Popular Front, head of the Analytical Center of the APF, and in 1992-1993 worked as a head of the State and Law Department of the Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In 1995-1998 was a private representative of the chairman of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party in the Republic of Türkiye, and in 1998-2001 was a Vice-Chairman of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party.
Chairman of the Great Establishment Party. Was elected as a member of parliament of the third, fourth and fifth convocations. Vice-Chairman of the Culture Committee, member of the Human Rights Committee of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Head of the Working Group on Azerbaijan-North Macedonia Interparliamentary Relations, member of the working groups on relations with the parliaments of the Federal Republic of Germany, Belgium, Brazil, Jordan, Iran, Colombia, Latvia, Malaysia, Malta, Romania, Russia, and Türkiye. Member of the national delegation of the Milli Majlis in PACE.
Botswana
Dr. Pearl Kupe | International President of the Global Forum of Women Entrepreneurs
Dr. Pearl Kupe is a lawyer, bestselling author, and media personality, serving as the International President of the Global Forum of Women Entrepreneurs, a network spanning eight nations to empower women in entrepreneurship. She hosts Ambassador of Change on TBN Africa and writes for Joy Christian magazine. A prominent advocate for social justice, good governance, and transformational leadership, Kupe serves on regional and international boards and is among South Africa’s top 100 influential Christians. She has received numerous awards, including the AWA African Woman Legacy Award and the Unashamedly Ethical Award for Justice & Accountability.
Chantell Fortuin | Program Manager for The Global Interfaith Network
Rev. Chantell is a dedicated practical African womanist theologian whose passion lies in exploring theology as both a scholarly pursuit and a lived practice. Her work focuses on the intersection of spirituality, gender, sexuality, and human rights. Holding a BA in Theology, she advocates for inclusion, equality, and healing, particularly within marginalized communities. She serves as a pastor in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and currently works as a program manager for the Engaging with Faith initiative at the Global Interfaith Network.
Brazil
Prof. Rodrigo Alves | Professor at the Federal University of Uberlândia
Prof. Rodrigo Vitorino Souza Alves is a Professor of Law at the Federal University of Uberlândia, Brazil, where he leads the Brazilian Center of Studies in Law and Religion (CEDIRE), a pioneering initiative established in 2012. CEDIRE researches law, state, and religion from national and international perspectives, promoting religious freedom through capacity-building projects with academic institutions, governments, and international organizations. Alves, a visiting academic at institutions like the University of Oxford and the International Center for Law and Religious Studies, chaired the G20 Interfaith Forum’s Local Organizing Committee in Brazil (2023-2024). He holds a PhD in Law from the University of Coimbra (Portugal) and has lectured globally, including at the UN and OAS.
Rudelmar Bueno de Faria | General Secretary of ACT Alliance
Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, from Brazil and Switzerland, is the General Secretary of ACT Alliance, a coalition of 158 churches and faith-based organizations working in humanitarian, development, and advocacy across 130 countries. With over 35 years of experience, he previously served as the World Council of Churches Representative to the United Nations and Deputy Director for Lutheran World Service. Bueno de Faria holds degrees in business administration, international relations, and foreign trade, with postgraduate studies in Diakonia and Community Development. He is a member of the United Nations Multi-Faith Advisory Council, the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Faith in Action, and other global panels, focusing on gender justice, climate justice, peace, migration, and humanitarian response.
Raquel Bennet | Fellow at A Common Word Among the Youth (ACWAY)
Raquel Bennet is a Brazilian gender and race specialist with extensive experience in community and project management within global social movements. A dedicated youth activist since 2017, she advocates for integrating gender, race, and ethnicity issues into international and interfaith agendas through the G20 platform. Over eight years, she has collaborated with organizations like UN Women, Together for Girls, Chicas Poderosas, World YWCA, Young Feminist Europe, Women in Global Health, and Politics4Her. Bennet focuses on intersectional racial and gender justice, promoting anti-racist and feminist approaches in multilateral and grassroots spaces to drive systemic change and global equity.
Adilson de Paula Parrella | Area Authority Seventy, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 1, 2017. He previously served in the Brazil Area Presidency and currently serves in the Middle East/Africa North Area Presidency. Since joining the Church in 1971, he has held numerous callings, including full-time missionary in the Brazil Porto Alegre Mission, branch president, bishop, high councilor, counselor in a stake presidency, Area Seventy, and president of the Brazil Belo Horizonte Mission. Parrella earned a bachelor’s degree in communications in 1989 and a master’s degree in business administration in 1991, both from Brigham Young University. He worked as managing director of multinational companies until 2005, was a partner at Korn Ferry International until 2009, and recently a partner at Caldwell Partners. Born in Guarujá, São Paulo, Brazil, on November 2, 1962, he married Elaine Finholdt in 1988, and they are the parents of five children.
Dr. Ivo Pereira da Silva | Associate Professor at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA)
Dr. Ivo Pereira da Silva is an Associate Professor of History at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA), teaching at the Tocantins Amazon History Department. He holds a PhD in Advanced Studies in History from the University of Coimbra (Portugal) and a Master’s in Social History of the Amazon from UFPA. From 2021 to 2025, he served as a technical analyst at Brazil’s Ministry of Human Rights, focusing on religious freedom. Committed to interfaith dialogue, state secularism, and social justice, he is a Regional Editor for Seshat: Global History Databank (UK). His research explores religion, politics, and state formation in monarchical Brazil, connecting historical scholarship to civic education and public policy.
Romanna G. Remor | Former Congresswoman in Brazil
Romanna is a businesswoman, teacher and consultant on strategic management, family agriculture, microcredit, and urban planning. A native of Brazil, Romanna has worked at her country’s Embassy in Washington DC focusing on trade and commerce and served as Secretary of Social
Welfare, Labor and Housing in Santa Catarina, the state where she lives with her husband Gileno. She ran for mayor of her hometown, Criciúma, where she also was city council member.
In 2011 Romanna became the first Latter-day Saint congresswoman in Brazil. She is a member of the Religious Freedom and Business Foundation and holds a Master of Public Administration from Brigham Young University.
Heitor Silva | Student at the Federal University of Pará
Heitor Lima e Silva is a Computer Science student at the Federal University of Pará. He has served as an interpreter for Portuguese-speaking individuals at multiple IF20 and G20 events.
Elder Denelson Silva | General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Elder Denelson Silva was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2022. Currently serving in the Africa South Area Presidency, he has held various Church callings, including mission president in Angola (2016-2019), stake president, and Area Seventy. With a bachelor’s degree in data processing, Silva worked for over 30 years in the travel industry and as an area travel and fleet manager for the Church. Born in Recife, Brazil, in 1965, he married Regina Maria de Carvalho in 1987.
Canada
Prof. Rev. Dr. James Taylor Christie | Ambassador of the Canadian Multifaith Federation
Rev. Prof. Dr. James Taylor Christie is Professor Emeritus at the University of Winnipeg and Ambassador at Large for the Canadian Multifaith Federation. A former Dean of Theology and Global College, he served as President of the Canadian Council of Churches. As Professor of Whole World Ecumenism and Dialogue Theology, his recent publication is Moral Pressure for Responsible Globalization (Purdue). He is a member of the G20 Interfaith Forum Foundation’s Advisory Board.
Solomon Faris | Representative, Baha'i International Community Addis Ababa Office
Solomon Faris, born and raised in Ethiopia, is a professor of science education at Addis Ababa University, where he teaches curriculum studies, teacher development, and indigenous knowledge. He holds a doctorate from the University of Toronto, focusing on integrating local cultural and spiritual values into science education. For over a decade, he has served as the representative of the Baha’i International Community Addis Ababa Office, collaborating with the African Union and other international organizations. Faris is a member of the high-level advisory board for the Ethiopian Ministry of Education, representing the African-wide Baha’i community on the continental stage.
Jeffrey O’Malley | Senior Advisor at UNDP HIV and Health Group
Jeffrey O’Malley is a Senior Advisor and Global Hub Manager for LGBTI+ and Key Populations at UNDP, based in South Africa. He promotes social inclusion and human rights for sexual and gender minorities, contributing to public health and social protection. O’Malley’s career includes roles with the World Health Organization’s Global Programme on AIDS, Harvard School of Public Health, and as Founder and Executive Director of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance (now FrontlineAIDS). He has served as India Country Director for PATH, Director of HIV, Health, and Development for UNDP, and Director of Data, Research, and Policy for UNICEF, with publications on HIV, sexual and reproductive health, and civil society.
Dr. Sohaira Siddiqui | Executive Director at Al-Mujadilah Mosque and Center for Women
Dr. Sohaira Siddiqui is the Executive Director of Al-Mujadilah: Center and Mosque for Women, founded by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, and an Associate Professor of Islamic Studies and Theology at Georgetown University in Qatar. With over two decades of experience in academia and community engagement, she has authored four books, including Islamic Law on Trial: Contesting Colonial Power in British India. Her research focuses on classical Islamic legal and political thought, Islamic law under colonialism, and contemporary issues of gender and authority.
Colombia
Maria Lucia Uribe Torres | Executive Director of Arigatou International Geneva
Maria Lucia Uribe is the Executive Director of Arigatou International Geneva, leading the global Ethics Education for Children initiative across over 30 countries. She integrates values-based, interfaith, and intercultural learning into education systems to prevent violence and promote children’s dignity. Uribe collaborates with UN agencies and child rights organizations, convening the International Consortium on Nurturing Values and Spirituality in Early Childhood and the Working Group on Children and Violence. A member of the G20 Interfaith Forum’s Education Working Group, she holds a Master’s in Peace and Conflict Transformation from the University of Basel.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Elder Alfred Kyungu | Africa West Area President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Elder Alfred Kyungu was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2021. Currently serving as President of the Africa West Area, he previously served as mission president in Mbuji-Mayi (2016–2019) and in various Church roles, including district clerk and stake presidency counselor. Kyungu holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social sciences and international relations from the University of Lubumbashi. He worked for the DRC government and as a coordinator for Church seminaries and institutes. Born in Kamina, DRC, in 1966, he married Lucie Kabulo Malale in 1998, and they have three children.
Lucie Sydie Kabulo Malale | Spouse of Africa West Area President at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Bonaventure Mashata Choza | Coordinating Secretary, Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference
Bonaventure Mashata Choza is a Catholic priest and member of the Missionaries of Africa (MAfr) Society. He currently serves as the Coordinating Secretary of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) in the Department of Ecumenism, Interreligious Dialogue, and Dialogue with the Secular World. He holds a BA in Philosophy and an MA in Theology of Mission from the Catholic University of Lyon, France
Elder Thierry Kasuangi Mutombo | Spouse of General Authority Seventy at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Thierry K. Mutombo is the First Counsellor in the Africa Central Area. He was born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on 31 January 1976. He married Tshayi Nathalie Sinda in 2002. They are the parents of six children. He graduated in business management from the University of Cepromad in 2010, and in 2012 he received a bachelor’s degree in human resources management from the same university.
He has served in a number of Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Côte d’Ivoire Abidjan Mission, ward mission leader, ward Sunday School teacher, stake executive secretary, counsellor in a stake presidency, stake president and president of the Maryland Baltimore Mission. At the time of his call, he was serving as Second Counsellor in the Africa Central Area Presidency.
He owned a travel business from 2000 to 2005. He has worked for the Church as a supervisor in the Materials Management Department and manager of the Human Resources Department in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He most recently worked as manager of the Family History Department in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Sister Tshayi Nathalie Sinda Mutombo | Spouse of General Authority Seventy at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Sister Tshayi Nathalie Sinda Mutombo, married to Elder Thierry K. Mutombo since 2002, supports her husband’s ministry as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, she has contributed to the Church’s growth alongside her husband, including during his service as mission president in Maryland and currently in the Africa Central Area Presidency. They are parents to six children.
Sister Claudine Isekusu Yasekalomanga | Area Communication and Publishing Director at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Sister Claudine Isekusu Yasekalomanga serves as the Area Communication and Publishing Director for the Africa Central Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Previously, she was Associate Area Communication Director (2021–2023) and National Coordinator for the DRC Ministry of Gender, Children, and Family (2010–2021). With degrees in Human Resources (Belgium) and Commerce (Kenya), and certifications in UN Security Council Resolution, Sociology, and Conflict Resolution, she has held leadership roles in HR and communication. A Church member since 1978, she served as Stake Young Women President and National Church Communication Director. Fluent in English and French, she enjoys reading, traveling, and gardening, and is a mother of three.
Denmark
Dr. Esben Lunde Larsen | Senior One Health Specialist at The Pandemic Fund, The World Bank
Dr. Esben Lunde Larsen is a Senior One Health Specialist at The Pandemic Fund, focusing on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and One Health issues. Previously, he worked in the World Bank’s Agriculture and Food practice and at the World Resources Institute. A former Danish Parliament member and Minister for Science, Higher Education, Environment, Agriculture, and Food, Larsen advanced AMR and One Health agendas in Denmark and the EU. He holds a PhD in theology from the University of Copenhagen.
Egypt
Amr Aljowaily | Director, Citizens and Diaspora Directorate, African Union Commission
Ambassador Amr Aljowaily is an international civil servant, diplomat, academic, and writer with over 35 years of professional experience. He currently serves as the Director of the Citizens and Diaspora Organizations Directorate at the African Union Commission. He has worked as a diplomat in Belgrade, New York, Geneva, and Washington, D.C., and has held leading positions in multilateral organs, representing Egypt in high-level meetings of the UN, African Union, and League of Arab States. Aljowaily holds three master’s degrees from the American University in Cairo, the London School of Economics, and the University of Malta.
Dr. Ibrahim Gadalla | Interpreter at the Muslim Council of Elders
Dr. Ibrahim Gadalla is a PhD lecturer in linguistics and simultaneous interpreting studies, serving as an interpreter for the Muslim Council of Elders. His dissertation, Quality Assessment in Simultaneous Conference Interpreting: A Multi-Modal Approach, examines interpreting quality and accuracy. Gadalla provides simultaneous, consecutive, and whispering interpretations from English to Arabic and vice versa, logging over 141 hours for the Council. He also ensures quality in publications across multiple departments.
Ahmed Mansour | Logistics Manager at the Muslim Council of Elders
Ahmed Mansour serves as the Logistics Manager for the Muslim Council of Elders in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Judge Mohamed Abdel-Salam | Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders
Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders and the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, and co-president of Religions for Peace, is a graduate of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif University and a key figure in interfaith dialogue. He contributed to drafting the Document on Human Fraternity, signed by Pope Francis and Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb in 2019, and Egypt’s constitution in 2012-2013. His efforts in promoting tolerance and coexistence earned him the papal knighthood “Knight Commander with Star” from Pope Francis, the first for an Arab and Muslim, along with the “Astana Medal” from Kazakhstan, honorary professorships from KAZGUU (2022) and Eurasian National University (2023), the UAE’s “Community Service Medal,” Uzbekistan’s “Medal of Religious Tolerance,” and Egypt’s Medal of the Constitutional Court for his judicial contributions.
Ethiopia
Dr. Ahmed Zanya Bugre | Coordinator for the Global Circle for Reparations and Healing and AU Liaison, Ethiopia
Dr. Ahmed Zanya Bugre is currently the Coordinator for the Global Circle for Reparations and Healing and AU Liaison. Formerly the Migrant Protection and Assistance Advisor to the Cabinet of the African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, AU; co-Founder and CEO of Foundation for Shelter and Support to Migrants in Malta. Migration Law Expert and Consultant. Member, Board of Trustees, Africa-Europe Diaspora Development Platform (ADEPT), Brussels, Belgium. Visiting Lecturer, Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility, Oldenburg, Germany.
Ambassador Mussie Hailu | Regional Director for Africa at the United Religions Initiative
Ambassador Mussie Hailu is the Regional Director for Africa and Representative to the African Union and UN at the United Religions Initiative (URI). He promotes peace, reconciliation, interfaith harmony, disarmament, environmental preservation, and human dignity globally. A founding member of URI, he initiated Golden Rule Day, celebrated worldwide to foster compassion and counter violent extremism. Hailu has served as an advisor to the African Union’s Economic, Social, and Cultural Council and as a diplomat with the rank of Ambassador-at-Large.
Nejat Oumer | Women and Youth Focal Person at the Ethiopian Interfaith Forum for Development, Dialogue, and Action
Nejat Oumer serves as the Women and Youth Focal Person at the Ethiopian Interfaith Forum for Development, Dialogue, and Action (EIFDDA). She focuses on gender justice, youth empowerment, and peacebuilding through interfaith collaboration, using survivor-centered storytelling and multimedia advocacy to address gender-based violence and harmful practices. Oumer has organized national forums and represented Ethiopia at international platforms, including the Inter-Parliamentary Union and G20 Interfaith Forums, fostering empathetic and resilient communities.
France
Prof. Fadi Daou | Executive Director of Globethics
Prof. Fadi Daou is the Executive Director of Globethics, an international NGO in Geneva promoting ethical leadership and responsible governance. A 2020 Elevate Prize laureate, he previously founded and chaired the Adyan Foundation, focusing on diversity management and peacebuilding. With a PhD in theology and an MA in political philosophy, Daou has taught geopolitics of peace and interreligious relations in Europe and the Middle East. His publications include Religious Engagement in Global Affairs (2025) and Political Humanism (2023).
Yassin Medhouny-Laouina | Consultant and Program Manager at Humane Consultancy & Tarjimly
Yassin Medhouny-Laouina is a consultant specializing in organizational development and project design, with a decade of experience in humanitarian work, public policy, and humanitarian law. He collaborates with NGOs and grassroots actors to strengthen programs and governance in complex contexts. At Tarjimly, a nonprofit bridging language gaps for refugees, he promotes language justice and inclusion by supporting volunteer translators from underrepresented communities, addressing the digital divide and exclusion in humanitarian response.
Germany
Dr. Melanie Barbato | Coordinator of the Mission and Interfaith Centre at Pasifika Communities University
Dr. Melanie Barbato coordinates the Mission and Interfaith Centre and is a senior lecturer in the History of Christianity at Pasifika Communities University in Suva, Fiji. Her research focuses on interreligious communication, particularly Christianity, Hinduism, and Jainism. An associate editor of CrossCurrents (UNC Press), she coordinates the Network of Hinduism in Dialogue at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies.
Dr. Kibreab Habtemichael Gebereselassie | Head of Ombuds Department for Antidiscrimination at the City of Frankfurt am Main
Dr. Kibreab Habtemichael Gebereselassie heads the Ombuds Department for Antidiscrimination at the City of Frankfurt am Main. With a PhD in Public Administration and academic training in political geography, environmental sciences, and sociology, he has served in leadership roles, including Director of the Integration Office in Viernheim and Head of International Affairs for Sindelfingen. A senior lecturer at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences and the German University of Administrative Sciences Speyer, he focuses on migration, human rights, and antidiscrimination.
Khushwant Singh | Head of Secretariat at the International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD)
Khushwant Singh is the Head of Secretariat at the International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD). With master’s degrees in ethnology, pedagogy, and social anthropology from the University of Heidelberg and Goldsmiths, University of London, he has worked in international development since 2006, focusing on migration, religion, and digitization. A founding member of the interfaith Council of Religions Frankfurt, Singh produces the WisdomTalk podcast series on spirituality, ethics, and sustainability.
Marita Anna Wagner | International PhD Researcher at the University of Cape Town and University of Salzburg
Marita Anna Wagner is a PhD researcher in antiracist and decolonial theologies at the University of Salzburg, Austria, and an International Affiliate Researcher at the University of Cape Town. Holding a master’s in Catholic Theology from the Philosophical-Theological College Saint George (Germany) and a master’s in Global Studies from Salzburg, she previously served as editor-in-chief of Forum Weltkirche and coordinated a theological think tank for European and African scholars. Wagner is a freelance educator on antiracism and diversity and serves in the Salzburg state government’s international development cooperation department.
Ghana
H.E Elvis Afriyie Ankrah | Presidential Envoy for Interfaith Relations, Ghana
Ankrah was involved in student politics. He was the President of the Students Representative Council of the University of Ghana between 1994 and 1996. He joined the National Democratic Congress and stood as a parliamentary candidate at Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency in the December 2000 elections. He was the Deputy National Campaign Manager for the 2008 and National Campaign Coordinator for 2012 Presidential Campaigns of the National Democratic Congress and both Presidents, John Atta Mills and John Dramani Mahama. In March 2009, he was appointed a Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development by President Mills.[4] He continued in this capacity until President Mahama replaced Mills. In February 2013, he was appointed Minister for Youth and Sports by Mahama. In July 2014, he became a Minister of State at the Office of the President, a position following a cabinet reshuffle by President Mahama.
Samuel Annan-Simons | Communication and Publishing Director, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Samuel Annan-Simons serves as the Communication and Publishing Director for the Africa West Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing from Central University and a Master of Science in Development Finance from the University of Ghana. Before joining the Church full-time in 2007, he worked as a sales executive for Japan Motors Trading Company of Ghana. His Church roles have included treasury and planning analyst, recorder in the Accra Ghana Temple, ward clerk, counselor in a bishopric, stake Young Men president, bishop, high councilor, and stake president. Named an Area Seventy in April 2021, he was born in Sekondi, Ghana, on June 22, 1975. He married Gertrude Theodora Afful in 2006, and they have four children.
Elder Isaac K. Morrison | Second Counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Elder Isaac K. Morrison was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2022. Serving as Second Counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency, he previously led the Ghana Cape Coast Mission and served as an Area Seventy. Morrison holds a Higher National Diploma in Building Construction, a bachelor’s in operations and project management, and a master’s in strategic management and leadership. He has worked for the Church since 2004 in various roles, including temple facilities manager. Born in Takoradi, Ghana, in 1977, he married Hannah Nyarko in 2004 and has two living children.
Hannah Morrison | Spouse of Second Counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Sister Hannah Morrison has served in various Church callings, including as a full-time missionary in Nigeria, temple ordinance worker, and mission leader in the Ghana Cape Coast Mission alongside her husband, Elder Isaac K. Morrison. With certificates in catering and nutrition from BYU-Pathway and Takoradi Technical University, she worked as a cook at the Ghana Missionary Training Center and as a pastry chef. Born in Daboasi, Ghana, in 1978, she married Isaac Morrison in 2004 and has two living children.
James Owusu-Ansah | Area Manager of Public Affairs, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
James Owusu-Ansah serves as the Area Manager of Public Affairs for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, focusing on enhancing the Church’s public engagement and interfaith relations in the Africa West Area.
Peter Yeboah | Executive Director of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG)
Peter Yeboah is the Executive Director of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), a major non-state health actor contributing 30% of Ghana’s health sector output, with a 70% reach in rural areas. He is the former Chairman of the Africa Christian Health Associations Platform (ACHAP), a network of 41 organizations across 32 African countries. With nearly 30 years of experience, Yeboah holds degrees from the London School of Economics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and the Royal Tropical Institute (Amsterdam), focusing on inclusive and sustainable health systems.
Greece
Dimitra Missira | External Relations and Partnerships Officer at The International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID)
Dimitra Missira is European Union Liaison Officer at the Office of the Deputy Secretary-General for the KAICIID International Dialogue Centre in Vienna. She has been facilitating trainings for youth on various topics such as interreligious and intercultural dialogue, equality and global citizenship. Her Masters’ degree is on European Law and Policy at the Panteion University. Ms. Missira has developed papers on the contemporary European economic and social crisis; the Balkan States and their European orientation, Migration and Refugees and has been a member of a global Alumni network through her participation in the ACWAY Fellowship and other platforms.
India
Rev. Dr. Santhosh George | Director of CURE India
Rev. Dr. Santhosh George is the Director of CURE India, founding seven indigenous transformation organizations to address global challenges like hunger, malnutrition, and disability. His initiatives, including www.weplant.in for nutrition forests and www.cure.org.in for eliminating clubfoot disability, have impacted over 120,000 children and 10,000 villages. George aims to end hunger and malnutrition by 2047, leveraging proven systems to transform communities worldwide.
Dr. T V Gopal | Director, Centre for Applied Research in Indic Technologies [CARIT], Anna University, India
Dr. T V Gopal has published around 85+ Research Papers. He has written FOUR books and Co-Edited ELEVEN Conference Proceedings. He is actively associated with many professional societies such as CSI, ICANN, IFIP WG 9.2, IEEE and ACM India Council. He is an Expert Member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the International Review of Information Ethics: [IRIE] – the official journal of the International Center for Information Ethics [ICIE].
Faraz Hashmi | Treasurer of the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities
Faraz Hashmi serves as the Treasurer of the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities, bringing nearly two decades of management consulting experience. He oversees global programs, fostering partnerships and amplifying marginalized voices to promote interfaith dialogue and cooperation. Hashmi holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the Indian Institute of Technology in Chennai and is passionate about creating a peaceful and harmonious world through inclusive strategies.
Sejal Jyothish | University Student, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University
Sejal Jyothish, a 20-year-old psychology student at the University of Cape Town, has been part of the Brahma Kumaris spiritual journey since age six, positively impacting her life. She has participated in and emceed interfaith events in Cape Town and attended youth and peace retreats in India and South Africa. A creative individual with five years of experience in classical Indian dancing (Kuchipudi), she is passionate about promoting peace through interfaith dialogue.
Sadu Sunder Pedely | Advocate, Self-Employed
Sadu Sunder Pedely is a seasoned HR and legal professional with over 30 years at Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), where he served in senior leadership roles, including General Manager – HR. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE) and led HR operations across multiple zones. A qualified lawyer, he holds a B.L. from Andhra University and an LL.M. in Comparative Law from Brigham Young University, along with M.A. degrees in English, Psychology, and Personnel Management & Industrial Relations, and a diploma in Foreign Trade. Pedely has represented HPCL in court and disciplinary matters, including before the Supreme Court of India, reflecting his expertise in governance, law, and human capital strategy.
Dr. Atula Jamir Santhosh | National Program Manager at CURE International India
Dr. Atula Jamir Santhosh has served vulnerable populations for 25 years, focusing on people affected by leprosy and HIV/AIDS. As National Program Manager at CURE International India, she created a network of over 250 counselors across 40 ethnic communities, providing services in 36 languages. Her research on counseling parents of children with disabilities from diverse faith backgrounds informs her work with organizations serving over 100,000 children and families.
Indonesia
Prof. Dr. M. Amin Abdullah | Member of the Steering Council at Pancasila Ideology Development Agency (BPIP)
Prof. Dr. M. Amin Abdullah is a Member of the Steering Council of Indonesia’s Pancasila Ideology Development Agency (BPIP), Senior Fellow at the Leimena Institute, and Professor of Philosophy at State Islamic University Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta. Chairman of the Cultural Commission of the Indonesian Academy of Sciences, he received the 2024 Habibie Prize for his multidisciplinary approaches to religious and cultural studies. Abdullah, a former Vice President of Muhammadiyah (2000–2005), holds a doctoral degree in philosophy from Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey.
Matius Ho | Executive Director of the Leimena Institute
Matius Ho is the Executive Director of the Leimena Institute in Jakarta, where he developed the Cross-Cultural Religious Literacy program, training thousands of teachers. A contributor to The Routledge Handbook of Religious Literacy, Pluralism, and Global Engagement (2021), he has spoken globally on related topics. Before co-founding the institute in 2005, he was a technology and management consultant at Accenture. Ho holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in 2025 from the Henry Martyn Institute in Hyderabad, India.
His Excellency Dr. Azaki Khoirudin | Expert Staff to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education of the Republic of Indonesia
Dr. Azaki Khoirudin serves as Expert Staff to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education of Indonesia and Secretary of the Council for Cadre and Human Resources of Muhammadiyah’s Central Board. A lecturer at Ahmad Dahlan University’s Faculty of Islamic Studies, he supports educational policy and interfaith initiatives in Indonesia.
His Excellency Prof. Dr. Abdul Mu’ti | Minister of Primary and Secondary Education of the Republic of Indonesia
Prof. Dr. Abdul Mu’ti serves as the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education of Indonesia and Secretary General of Muhammadiyah’s Central Board. A professor at Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University, where he earned his doctoral degree, he chaired the National Education Standard Agency (2019–2021). Mu’ti is actively involved in interfaith dialogues in Indonesia and globally, promoting education and religious harmony.
Azizah Lefebvre | Engagement Coordinator at A Common Word Among the Youth (ACWAY)
Azizah Lefebvre, née Mutik, has been involved with A Common Word Among the Youth (ACWAY) since 2015, serving as Engagement Coordinator after being Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator. Her work focuses on youth, education, marginalized communities, and youth-led interfaith action, promoting inclusive dialogue and collaboration.
Lukmanul Hakim | Head of Cooperation and International Facilitation at the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education of Indonesia
Lukmanul Hakim is the Head of Cooperation and International Facilitation Division in the Bureau of Planning and Cooperation at Indonesia’s Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, fostering international partnerships and educational collaboration.
Nurlaili Sholaikah | Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education of Indonesia
Nurlaili Sholaikah is a Public Relations Officer at Indonesia’s Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, managing communications and public engagement.
Setri Yasra | Editor-in-Chief at Tempo Media
Setri Yasra serves as the Editor-in-Chief at Tempo Media, overseeing editorial operations and content development.
Toni Margianto | Personal Security Officer at the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education of Indonesia
Toni Margianto serves as the Personal Security Officer to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education of Indonesia, ensuring safety and security for ministerial operations.
Iraq
Sheikh Dr. Abdullah Waise | President of the Islamic Union in Kurdistan Region
Sheikh Dr. Abdullah Waise is the President of the Islamic Union in the Kurdistan Region and a professor at Salahaddin University. A prolific author of 10 books on religious beliefs, he has participated in numerous international conferences. Waise advocates for interfaith harmony, emphasizing that all religions share a common source and that humanity should live in peace. He educates his students and followers to support mutual respect and assistance across religious communities.
Ireland
Kelvin Akpaloo | Global Youth Worker at Young Voices of Africa
Kelvin Akpaloo, a Ghanaian-Irish youth educator and spoken word artist, is the CEO and founder of Young Voices of Africa, a pan-African youth network promoting inclusion and sustainable development. With over a decade of experience, he has led youth projects across Africa and Europe, facilitating EU Youth Conferences and U.S. Department of State fellowships. A co-author of We Have a Dream, Akpaloo collaborates with organizations like Concern Worldwide and the National Youth Council of Ireland, using arts and activism to empower young people.
Kevin Hyland OBE | Chief Executive Officer at Praeveni Global
Following 30 years in policing, including leading London’s Human Trafficking Unit, in 2014 Kevin Hyland OBE was appointed the UK’s first Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner. He authored and led inclusion of Sustainable Development Goal 8.7 to eradicate human trafficking within the United Nations 15-year strategic priorities.
In 2018 Mr Hyland was elected Ireland’s representative to the Council of Europe Independent Group of Experts for Trafficking. He was instrumental in establishing and remains chief advisor to the Santa Marta Group, a high-level partnership between law enforcement agencies, faith groups and civil society launched by Pope Francis at the Vatican. He was the instigator for Bakhita House, a London based residential project for women and children who have experienced human trafficking and is on the board of homeless charity The Passage, exploited women’s support charity Rahab and Sophie Hayes Foundation who provide employability training for trafficked women.
In recognition of his policing and human trafficking efforts in 2015 he was appointed OBE. In 2018 he was co-recipient of the ‘Path to peace Award’ in New York. In 2019 he was awarded the UN Women UK ‘HeForShe’ Leadership Award and in 2020 the UN Women for Peace Association Advocacy Award. He chairs the Leadership Group of the Institute of Human Rights and Business and the Island of Ireland Human Trafficking Project and provided strategic leadership to the OSCE victim support guidance. He is a visiting professor to St. Mary’s University, London. He has advised legislators in several countries in drafting new laws and provided training and lectured on human rights and policing in Europe, Australia, Central Asia, SE Asia, the USA, Pakistan, India, across the Middle East and South America.
Israel
Rabbi Dr. Aharon Ariel Lavi | Managing Director of the Ohr Torah Interfaith Center
Rabbi Aharon Ariel Lavi is the Managing Director of the Ohr Torah Interfaith Center, which works with religious leaders worldwide to make religion part of the solution to global challenges. He was also the founder of Hakhel, the Jewish Intentional Communities Incubator in the Diaspora, and MAKOM, the Israeli national umbrella organization of intentional communities (both projects were awarded the Jerusalem Unity Prize by the President of Israel).
Lavi holds rabbinic semicha and academic degrees in Economics, Geography, History, and the Philosophy of Ideas. His PhD dissertation explored the migration of ideas between US Jewry and Israeli society. A 2024 Harvard Divinity School postdoctoral fellow, he continued to research Jewishly inspired community building at Bar-Ilan University’s Weisfeld Ma’ayan Institute in 2025. He is a published author on Jewish economic and environmental thought, community building, international religious affairs, and more. He also teaches Jewish economic thought and community building in academia.
Outside of his professional life, Lavi is an avid mountain biker, racer, trainer, and trail builder. He lives with his wife, Liat, and their five children in the community they founded together in Shuva, on the Gaza border.
Rabbi Dr. Yakov Nagen | Executive Director of the Ohr Torah Interfaith Center
Rabbi Dr. Yakov Nagen is the Executive Director of the Ohr Torah Interfaith Center and Director of Ohr Torah Stone’s Blickle Institute for Interfaith Dialogue. A rabbi at the Yeshiva of Otniel, he has authored 10 books on Jewish spirituality, Talmud, and interfaith relations. Committed to fostering understanding between Judaism and Islam, Nagen promotes coexistence in conflict regions. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife, Michal, and their seven children.
Prof. Asher Maoz | Founding Dean and Head of the Committee on International Academic Relations at Tel-Aviv University and The Peres Academic Center
Prof. Asher Maoz, with degrees from Hebrew University, University of Chicago, and Tel-Aviv University, is the Founding Dean and Head of the Committee on International Academic Relations at The Peres Academic Center. An expert in law and religion, he chairs the Law Commission on Journalists’ Privilege and advises the Knesset Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee. Maoz is a member of the G20 Interfaith Forum Advisory Council, the International Religious Liberty Association, and several international academic bodies, with extensive publications and global lectures.
Italy
Pietro Siena | Programme Manager at KAICIID
Pietro Siena, a philosophy graduate and peacebuilding expert, has nearly a decade of experience managing projects in Africa. His work focuses on fostering peace and collaboration through interfaith and intercultural initiatives.
Prof. Sr. Alessandra Smerilli, FMA | Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Vatican City
Prof. Sr. Alessandra Smerilli, FMA, born in 1974, is a Daughter of Mary Help of Christians and Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development at Vatican City since 2022. With degrees in Economics from Roma Tre University and PhDs from La Sapienza and East Anglia Universities, she has taught at Catholic universities in Milan and Rome. Her research focuses on cooperation and value-based organizations. Smerilli served as a Vatican City State counselor (2019–2024) and joined the Laudato Si’ Center’s Board in 2023.
Flaminia Vola | Head of the Listening and Dialogue Section at the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development
Flaminia Vola has served as a Holy See Official since 2015 and is currently Head of the Listening and Dialogue Section at the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, fostering dialogue and collaboration for integral human development.
Japan
Rt. Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake | Chair of the Board at the International Shinto Studies Association
Rt. Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, born in 1958 into a Shinto priest family in Osaka, Japan, is the Chair of the Board of the International Shinto Studies Association and Director General of the Japan United Nations Association Kansai Capital. Active in interfaith work for four decades with organizations like Religions for Peace and the International Association for Religious Freedom, he founded RELNET Corporation in 1997 to publish religion-related content. Miyake studied at Doshisha and Harvard Universities and has authored numerous books in Japanese and English.
Jyuri Michino | Representative at A Common Word Among the Youth (ACWAY)
Jyuri Michino, a New York-born, Japan-based professional, is passionate about interfaith dialogue, inclusive education, and youth empowerment. With experience at the United Nations and A Common Word Among the Youth (ACWAY), she has designed and facilitated interfaith youth programs in Myanmar and Northern Ireland. Michino’s work focuses on fostering trust and shared action across religious and cultural lines to build peaceful, inclusive societies.
Kenya
Sahlim Charles Amambia | Executive Director of Re-Imagining New Communities
Sahlim Charles is a peacebuilding expert, filmmaker, and grassroots organizer based in Nairobi. With over six years of experience in project management and youth-focused peacebuilding, he leads Re-Imagining New Communities, an inclusive, values-driven organization promoting peace and social cohesion through participatory action research and community engagement.
Dr. Mustafa Y. Ali | Secretary-General, Global Network of Religions for Children and Director, Arigatou International Kenya
Dr. Mustafa Y. Ali is the Executive Director of Arigatou International – Nairobi and Secretary-General of the Global Network of Religions for Children. He co-chairs the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities and serves on the United Nations Multifaith Advisory Council. A scholar and author, he holds degrees in international relations, sociology, diplomacy, and information sciences. His work focuses on peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and empowering vulnerable communities, earning him awards like the Coexist International Peace Prize.
Azmaira Alibhai | Faith & Ecosystems Coordinator, UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
Azmaira Alibhai is the Faith & Ecosystems Coordinator at the UN Environment Programme’s Faith for Earth Coalition. She facilitates partnerships and policy coordination to advance biodiversity, ecosystem restoration, and pollution reduction goals. A practitioner of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, she strengthens institutional capacity through civil society and policy engagement.
Sheikh Ibrahim Lethome Asmani | Secretary General, Centre for Sustainable Conflict Resolution
Sheikh Ibrahim Lethome is a Muslim religious scholar, lawyer, and secretary general of the Centre for Sustainable Conflict Resolution in Kenya, focusing on countering radicalization and violent extremism. He serves on the religious affairs committee of Jamia Mosque in Nairobi and advises financial institutions on Shariah-compliant finance. An active member of the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya, he holds a Master’s Degree in Shariah, a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Profession from the Kenya School of Law, and is a trained teacher.
Khadija Dohry | Senior Research and Liaison Officer, Parliamentary Service Commission of Kenya
Khadija Dohry serves as a Senior Research and Liaison Officer at the Parliamentary Service Commission of Kenya, leveraging over a decade of experience in partnership building, resource mobilization, and peace advocacy. A fellow of A Common Word Among the Youth, she holds a Master’s Degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the Social Sciences University of Ankara and a Bachelor’s in Political Science from Marmara University. Through her initiative, Scholar Sisters, she provides education consultancy and mentorship to young girls in Kenya.
Rampeoane Hlobo, S.J. | Director; Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network in AfricaPa
Fr. Rampeoane (Rampe) Hlobo, SJ is a Jesuit priest currently based in Nairobi, Kenya. Born and raised in Soweto, Johannesburg, he brings extensive experience working with migrants and forcibly displaced populations, including internally displaced people in South Sudan and refugees in Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) projects across Uganda, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. Fr. Hlobo has a background in parish pastoral ministry among marginalized township and informal settlement communities. He has also served in school and university chaplaincies.
He previously served as the Delegate for Social and Environmental Justice and as the Migration Delegate for the Southern Africa Province of the Society of Jesus. He was also an active member of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) Migration Group.
Fr. Hlobo now serves as the Director of the Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network Africa (JENA) and as Secretary for Social Justice and Ecology at the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM). He continues to represent JCAM in the Global Ignatian Advocacy Network (GIAN) Migration Group.
Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro | Board Chair, United World Colleges
Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro, a systems thinker and leadership strategist, chairs the United World Colleges and serves on the Georgetown Lancet Commission on Faith, Trust, and Health, the UN Global Compact, and the London School of Economics Council. With four decades of experience, she has held senior roles at the Global Fund for Women, World YWCA, and United Bible Societies. A published author, she is recognized globally for her commitment to faith, human rights, and inclusive leadership.
Immanuel Mwendwa Kiilu | Thematic Facilitator, Eco-Faith Working Group, Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP
Immanuel Mwendwa Kiilu is the Thematic Facilitator of the Eco-Faith Working Group at the Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP and Head of Research & Policy at the Nala Centre. A writer and environmental leader, he has received awards like the 2024 AfCFTA Youth Essay Competition and the Eco-Generation Prize. He holds a BA in International Studies from Strathmore University and a Diploma in International Environmental Law and Governance.
Nirina Kiplagat | Governance and Peacebuilding Coordinator, UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa
Nirina Kiplagat, with over 20 years of experience in peacebuilding and governance, serves as the Governance and Peacebuilding Coordinator at UNDP’s Regional Service Centre for Africa. She previously managed UNDP’s project on preventing violent extremism and led the launch of the 2023 report, Journey to Extremism in Africa. Her prior roles include work with The Carter Center and Nairobi Peace Initiative-Africa. She holds a Master of Science in Conflict Analysis and Resolution.
Rev. Prof. Peter Mageto | Vice Chancellor, Africa University
Rev. Prof. Peter Mageto serves as the Vice Chancellor and CEO of Africa University, a United Methodist-related institution, since October 2022. With over 25 years of experience, he has served as a circuit minister and held academic roles at Daystar University, Kenya Methodist University, and the University of Kigali. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Divinity from St. Paul’s United Theological College in Kenya, and a Master’s and Doctorate in Theological Studies from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Illinois, USA.
David N. Munene | Board Chair and Programs Manager, Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) and Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa (CYNESA)
David N. Munene, a lay faith leader in the Catholic Church, serves as Regional Facilitator for the UNEP Major Groups and Stakeholders, Africa, and Programs Manager at CYNESA. He chairs the board of SAFCEI and has over 12 years of experience in multilateral environmental processes, enhancing faith engagement in platforms like UNEP/UNEA and the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment.
Sr. Hedwig Muse | Legal Officer and Program Manager, Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya
Sister Hedwig Muse, LSMIG, is a member of the Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu in Uganda but currently works in Nairobi, Kenya. She holds an LL.M. in human rights law, a bachelor of law degree, and a bachelor of education degree in English language and literature. She currently works as a legal and program officer for human rights in the Justice and Peace Department of the Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya. In this role, she works on cases related to child abuse, sexual assault, and gender-based violence as well as conducts training on human rights to raise awareness on legal issues. Before this position, she served as a secondary school teacher and continues to partner with schools to conduct student training. Sr. Muse is part of the inaugural cohort of the Women in Faith Leadership Fellowship.
Sr. Dr. Teresiah Muthoni | Legal Advisor, Archdiocese of Nairobi and Hilton Foundation
Sr. Dr. Teresiah Muthoni, a Little Sister of St. Francis, is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya and serves as the chief legal advisor for the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi. An alumnus of the 2024-2025 Women Faith Leaders Fellowship at Georgetown University, she holds a doctorate in law from European University Viadrina, Germany, and a Master of Laws from the University of Dar es Salaam. Her work focuses on women’s rights and human rights for marginalized communities, influencing public and private policies through Catholic Church forums.
Sr. Agnes Njeri | Program Officer, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
Sr. Agnes Njeri serves as a program officer for the Catholic Sisters Initiative at the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Previously, she was Deputy Vice Chancellor Designate of Academics and Students’ Life at Tangaza University College in Nairobi and a senior lecturer in applied mathematics. She holds a PhD and Master of Science in Applied Mathematics from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. A member of the International Leadership Association, she has published in international journals and served on the advisory board of Catholic Scholarship for Porticus Africa.
Fred Nyabera | Executive Director, End Child Poverty, Arigatou International
Fred Nyabera serves as the Executive Director of the Interfaith Initiative to End Child Poverty at Arigatou International. A social scientist and trained theologian, he specializes in faith-based peacebuilding and advancing Freedom of Religion or Belief. He has served as a pastor at Nairobi Baptist Church and Karen Community Church and was the Executive Director of the Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa. He holds graduate and postgraduate degrees in sociology, anthropology, divinity, conflict transformation, and organizational leadership.
Lebanon
Prof. Nayla Tabbara | President, Adyan Foundation
Prof. Nayla Tabbara is the President and co-founder of the Adyan Foundation, established in 2006 in Lebanon, and Adyan Europe, founded in 2022. A Muslim woman theologian, she holds a PhD in Science of Religions from EPHE-Paris and Saint Joseph University, Beirut, where she teaches religious and Islamic studies. She serves as co-president of Religions for Peace and is an advisory board member of the Royal Institute for Interfaith Studies. Her publications focus on Islamic theology, religious diversity, and inclusive citizenship.
Lesotho
Mapule Maema | Senior Policy Advisor, Economic Justice Network of FOCCISA
Mapule Maema is a development practitioner and businesswoman who champions women and youth’s economic empowerment, inclusive and innovative entrepreneurial ecosystems, agroecological food systems, and resilient, sustainable economic structures that prioritize people and the planet.
Keketso Kheane | Tour Operator and Guide, Lesotho Tour Operators Forum (TOFOL)
Keketso Kheane, a Christian tour operator based in Lesotho, is dedicated to promoting unity and compassion across faiths through tourism. His work highlights Lesotho’s cultural and spiritual richness while fostering interfaith collaboration. He is currently focused on raising funds for inclusive community development projects that benefit people of all religious backgrounds.
Madagascar
Michelle Burrows | Personal Assistant, Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD) Africa
Michelle Burrows serves as a Personal Assistant for the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD) Africa, supporting administrative and organizational efforts to promote interreligious dialogue and peace across the continent.
Malawi
Grace Chilongo | Director, Youth Empowerment and Environmental Management (YEEM); URI Representative
Grace Chilongo, an environmental scientist and youth leader, is the Founder and Director of Youth Empowerment and Environmental Management in Malawi. She serves as a Youth Council Member for UNEP’s Faith for Earth Initiative, focusing on community-based climate action and interfaith harmony. An Honorary Research Assistant at the University of Glasgow, she designs projects to empower vulnerable communities through clean energy, agriculture, and digital skills training.
Sr. Enelless Chimbali | Senior Program Officer, All Africa Conference Sister to Sister (AACSS)
Sr. Enelless Chimbali, a member of the Servants of Blessed Virgin Mary Sisters, serves as a Senior Program Officer for the All-Africa Conference Sister to Sister. She holds a Master of Nonprofit Administration from Notre Dame University and multiple degrees in business information technology and secretarial administration. Previously, she was Secretary-General of the Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa. She serves on the boards of Catholic Relief Services and the Opus Prize Foundation, earning the 2023 Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh Founder’s Award.
Morocco
Dr. Bahija Jamal | Law Professor, Hassan II University, Casablanca
Dr. Bahija Jamal is a Law Professor at Hassan II University, Casablanca, with expertise in migration, anti-human trafficking, and countering violent extremism. She has advised international organizations on terrorism and human rights-based approaches for over a decade. Previously, she worked with UNHCR and Morocco’s Ministry in Charge of Moroccans Living Abroad, contributing to anti-trafficking and immigration laws. She holds a PhD in International Law from Hassan II University and supervises doctoral research on organized crime and terrorism.
Namibia
Petersen Nghiyoonanye | Volunteer, Bright Hill Project School
Petersen Nghiyoonanye, a University of Namibia graduate, organizes community tours to foster cultural exchanges and volunteers at Bright Hill Project School to uplift underprivileged children. Raised in Windhoek’s informal neighborhoods by a devout Christian mother, he is dedicated to youth empowerment and uniting communities across racial and religious divides for lasting social impact.
Netherlands
Maurice A. Bloem | President/CEO Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities (JLI)
Maurice A. Bloem is the President and CEO of the Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities (JLI), a global collaboration focused on evidence-based approaches to the role of faith actors in development and humanitarian response. With over three decades of experience in international development, Maurice has previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability and Impact Officer at Church World Service (CWS), where he led the agency’s tsunami response and represented CWS at the United Nations.
Nigeria
Imam Dr. Muhammad N. Ashafa | Peace Activist, Interfaith Mediation Center
Imam Dr. Muhammad N. Ashafa, a prominent peace activist from Kaduna, Nigeria, co-founded the Interfaith Mediation Center with Pastor James Wuye. Initially a leader in an Islamist group, he transformed his approach after losing family members in religious violence. His work focuses on resolving ethno-religious conflicts and empowering vulnerable groups, promoting peace across Nigeria and globally.
Rev. Fr. C. Enyiaka | Director, African Peace Initiative and Engagement, Global Peace Foundation International, Washington DC
Rev. Fr. Canice Chinyeaka Enyiaka, Ph.D. serves as a Program Development Specialist for Interfaith and Community Outreach for Global Peace Foundation.
Rev. Fr. Boniface Neibo | Deputy Director, Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP)
Rev. Fr. Boniface Neibo, a Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Abuja, serves as Deputy Director of the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace. He pastors St. Monica’s Catholic Church and has authored articles on politics, national integration, and religion. He holds degrees in philosophy, theology, political science, and is a PhD student in governance and policy analysis at Veritas University, Abuja.
Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran | General Authority Seventy, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran, sustained as a General Authority Seventy in April 2020, serves in the Africa West Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He holds a bachelor’s degree in botany, a master’s in business administration, and is a chartered accountant. His career includes roles in accounting, advertising, and finance at Shell Nigeria. Born in Ibadan, Nigeria, in 1967, he is married to Olufunmilayo Omolola Akinbebije, and they have one child.
Sr. Francisca Ngozi Uti | Executive Director, Centre for Women Studies and Intervention
Sr. Francisca Ngozi Uti, a Handmaid of the Holy Child Jesus, is the Executive Director of the Centre for Women Studies and Intervention in Nigeria. She advocates for social justice, focusing on empowering women and girls and dismantling dehumanizing cultural practices through her work with this nonprofit organization.
Rev. Dr. James Movel Wuye | Co-founder, Interfaith Mediation Center
Rev. Dr. James Movel Wuye, a Nigerian peacebuilder, co-founded the Interfaith Mediation Center in Kaduna with Imam Muhammad Ashafa. A former Christian militia leader who lost his right arm in religious violence, he has dedicated his life to fostering interfaith dialogue and non-violent conflict resolution. His work promotes understanding between Christian and Muslim communities and addresses climate change for sustainable peace.
Pakistan
Shahid Rehmat | Founder and Executive Director, Youth Development Foundation (YDF)
Shahid Rehmat is the Founder and Executive Director of the Youth Development Foundation in Pakistan, empowering over 20,000 young people to promote interfaith harmony and social inclusion. He is also CEO of Acceptance for Inclusion (A4I) Global, developing tools like Harmony Checker to combat hate speech. A key figure in shaping Pakistan’s Interfaith Harmony Policy, he is an Atlantic Council USA Fellow and holds a degree from Punjab University.
Philippines
Rogelio P. Lelis, Jr. | Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Technical Advisor at A Common Word Among the Youth (ACWAY)
Rogelio P. Lelis, Jr. has been an active fellow with A Common Word Among the Youth (ACWAY) since 2015 and currently serves as the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Technical Advisor for a local NGO in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. He supports MHPSS programming for refugees, internally displaced persons, and host communities, focusing on culturally sensitive applications of clinical, social, and peace psychology. His work explores the role of faith and interfaith dialogue in community-based wellbeing.
Portugal
Ambassador António de Almeida Ribeiro | Acting Secretary-General, KAICIID
Ambassador António de Almeida Ribeiro serves as the Acting Secretary-General of KAICIID since January 2025. A career diplomat with the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1979, he has served as Ambassador to Argentina, Egypt, the Holy See, and Austria, and as Permanent Representative to international organizations in Vienna. He graduated from the University of Coimbra’s Faculty of Law in 1976.
Marta Oliveira | Executive Assistant, KAICIID
Marta Oliveira serves as Executive Assistant to the Acting Secretary-General at KAICIID, providing administrative and organizational support. With experience in office management, aviation, and migration services, she holds a degree in African Studies from the University of Lisbon and is fluent in Portuguese and English while studying Arabic.
Qatar
H.E. Prof. Ibrahim Saleh Al-Naimi | Chairman, Board of Directors, Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue
H.E. Prof. Ibrahim Saleh Al-Naimi is the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Qatar and Chairman of the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue. He founded and presided over the Community College of Qatar, significantly expanding its programs. A key figure in Qatar’s educational reforms, he has published over 40 research papers and serves on multiple academic and social boards. He holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Southern California.
Republic of South Africa
Mohammed Ameen Hassen | Head of Shari’ah Banking, Standard Bank Group
Mohammed Ameen Hassen is the Founder and Head of Shari’ah Banking at Standard Bank Group, Africa’s largest bank by assets. He has developed over 22 Shari’ah-compliant financial solutions, including South Africa’s first ZAR-denominated Sukuk and the world’s first Shari’ah-compliant Discover product. A CIMA-certified Islamic Finance Executive, he completed Stanford University’s Corporate Venturing and Innovation program and has led Standard Bank to win awards like Africa’s Best Islamic Bank in 2025.
Michael-Daniel Bam | Junior Mayor, City of Cape Town
Michael-Daniel Bam is Cape Town’s junior mayor and is described as a purpose-driven changemaker who leads with action, compassion, and connection… and he’s only 16. At 15, he founded and registered the Michael-Daniel Bam Foundation – a non-profit company dedicated to uplifting those overlooked in society. Through projects like Eudaimonia and Plysi, he raised and managed R60 274 to provide more than 475 meals and U-Turn vouchers for homeless people – while building real, respectful relationships rooted in dignity and care. Project Plýsi, in partnership with Cape Town Central Library, provides essential hygiene support to those in need, ensuring access to basic personal care products.
Dr. Amb. His Emporer Majesty King Bongwe 2nd Mahlangu
Commissioner Rajendran Govender
Social Anthropologist and Researcher
PhD and Masters for Research in Zulu and Hindu Rituals and Practices.
Ford and IBSA Fellow
Commissioner – Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Rights Commission
Board Member – Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB)
Advisory Board member- Journalists and Writers Foundation (New York)
Global Coordinator – Global Repository for Ancient Cultural Endeavours
Chairperson – Africa Kingdom Diaspora Alliance
Advisory Board member – Turquoise Harmony Institute
Board Member – Playhouse Company
CEO – Tamil Business Warriors
Board Member- Southside FM 107.2 Community Radio
Advisory Board Member – INUWELL – NURA Health Screening.
Accredited mediator and currently on the panel of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Network of South Africa.
Former Director of Arts and Culture- KZN Department of Arts and Culture
Presented and published many papers on aspects related to Culture and Religion globally.
Receipient of many awards for scholarly work, social cohesion and community activism.
Mr. Ganief Ebrahim Hendricks | Deputy Minister of Social Development
Mr Mogamad Ganief Ebrahim Hendricks was appointed as Deputy Minister of Social Development from 3 July 2024.
He is the leader of Al Jama-Ah political party that he founded in 2007, which is intended to uphold Muslim rights and interests in South Africa. Al Jama-ah is the only Muslim political party to have obtained a seat in Parliament. Mr Hendricks is a member of the National Assembly and has served as a Member of Parliament (MP) since May 2019. Prior to becoming an MP, he was a councillor in the City of Cape Town.Mr Hendricks attended the Chapel Street Primary School and Trafalgar High School in District Six, and later completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Industrial Psychology at the University of the Western Cape. He was the founder and editor of the university’s first newspaper, Unibel.
As an anti-apartheid activist, he has held numerous community positions, including as a founding member of the Muslim Students Association, Deputy Chairperson of the Forum for Black Journalists and General-Secretary of the trade union for workers with sensory disabilities. In Parliament, he has served on the portfolio committees on Small Business Development; Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence; Labour and Employment; Health; Home Affairs; International Relations and Cooperation; Justice and Correctional Services, and Standing Committee on Public Accounts.
Palesa Hloele | Media Reporter, Abazi Productions
Palesa Hloele’s passion for the media industry is a driving force in her career. Her journey began at Boston Media House, where she earned a Diploma in Media Studies, specializing in journalism. Palesa’s early experience as an intern at The Citizen newspaper cemented her love for storytelling.
After gaining experience in print, she set her sights on the world of broadcast television. Hloele’s ultimate goal is to produce her own TV show. Outside of television, she is a huge fan of radio and believes that her love for music and ability to connect with people from all walks of life gives her a unique advantage in engaging with audiences on any level.
Wendy Kahn | National Director, SA Jewish Board of Deputies
Wendy Kahn is the National Director of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, the 122 year old elected representative body of SA Jewry.
She is responsible for ensuring that the Jewish community’s religious rights are upheld. She is involved in monitoring and responding to antisemitic incidents in South Africa, using restorative justice where possible, as well as taking cases to the SA Human Rights Commission and the courts.
The SAJBD is the Jewish community’s interface with the broader SA society, engaging with government, political parties, media, civil society and with other faith groups. The SAJBD leadership represent South Africa on many international forums, such as the World Jewish Congress.
Wendy has been involved in many outreach initiatives over the years, including assisting communities in need over COVID and during crises such as the Boksburg explosion, floods and the Albert Street Building that burned down in the inner city killing 73.
Dr. Renier Koegelenberg | Director of CDDC Trust/ EFSA Institute
Dr Renier A. Koegelenberg
D Th. (Systematic Theology), DAAD Stipend, Heidelberg, Germany, 1985-1990; Founder and Executive Director of the EFSA Institute for Theological and Interdisciplinary Research, Stellenbosch (since 1990); Founder of the “Cape Development and Dialogue Centre” Trust (CDDC Trust).
Executive Manager of NRASD Global Fund grants to religious sector in South Africa: HIV/AIDS and TB, between 2009-2019;
Founder of the “National Church Leader’s Consultation” (NCLC) in South Africa, 2009-;
A founding member of the international Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD); German Development Ministry, Berlin, 2015;
Director: “Tsantsabane Cares”, Northen Cape – an emergency food security partnership with Sishen Iron Ore/Kumba Mines, Postmasburg 2018-2021
Director: Department of Social Development (DSD) Risiha core package of services in several provinces – in partnership with Catholic, Methodist, Anglican churches. 2021-2023
Director: Ethical Leadership Series with Business Day and Konrad Adenauer Foundation – facing the current and future challenges of South Africa 2021-2022.
Sandile Makasi | Vice Chair, G20 Interfaith Forum
Sandile Makasi serves as Vice Chair of the G20 Interfaith Forum South Africa Local Organizing Committee and Communications Director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Southern Africa. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology from the University of South Africa and is pursuing an MBA at Heriot-Watt University. His professional experience includes leadership roles at Young Living Essential Oils and co-founding Zulu Grille, a social-impact restaurant in the USA.
Dr. Thabo Makgoba | Archbishop of Southern Africa, Anglican Church
Makgoba graduated from Orlando High, Soweto, and completed his BSc degree at Wits University before going to St Paul’s College, Grahamstown to study for the Anglican ministry. He obtained an MEd degree in Educational Psychology at Wits. He was made bishop of Queenstown (a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Grahamstown) on 25 May 2002 and became the diocesan bishop of Grahamstown (in Makhanda) in 2004. Dr. Makgoba graduated with a PhD degree from the University of Cape Town in December 2009.[4] He was awarded the Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Scholarship to study for his doctorate. He is also an adjunct professor at the Allan Gray School for Values at UCT. As of 2012, Makgoba is currently the chancellor of the University of the Western Cape.
Canon Delene Mark | CEO of HOPE Africa, Anglican Church of Southern Africa
Canon Delene Mark is the CEO of HOPE Africa, which is the social outreach programme of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. She works extensively in the social development field including providing training to Bishops, clergy and lay leaders. Delene has a Masters in Social policy and management from the University of Cape Town. She serves on boards of NPO’s and similar organisations in South Africa and internationally.
Prof. Julian May | Director, Centre of Excellence in Food Security, University of the Western Cape
Prof. Julian May is the Director of the DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security at the University of the Western Cape and holds the UNESCO Chair in Science and Education for Sustainable African Food Systems. An economist, he focuses on poverty reduction, public nutrition, and food system governance, serving on national and international advisory groups, including the South African Statistics Council and the National Planning Commission.
Queen Masalanabo Modjadji VII | Rain Queen of the Balobedu tribe
Masalanabo Modjadji VII (born 20 January 2005) is the seventh and reigning Rain Queen of the Balobedu tribe. Her title was formally recognised by the South African government in 2024, following a lengthy period of royal dispute and legal challenges. As Rain Queen, she is believed by her subjects to have special power over rainfall.
Rev. M.P. Moerane | Gauteng Coordinator, South African Inter-Faith Council
Rev. M.P. Moerane, a 67-year-old South African, serves as the Gauteng Coordinator for the South African Inter-Faith Council and Provincial Chaplain. A former pastor and Executive Mayor, he has worked with the South African Council of Churches since 1985 and studied peace studies in Sweden. He holds a Business Studies qualification from Damelin College and has extensive experience in local government and ecumenical work.
Dr. Rev. Cecilia Popina Mohlala | National Coordinator, Talitha kum South Africa
Sister Cecilia Popina Mohlala is a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Paul in South Africa, based in the Diocese of Bethlehem, Reitz, and currently resides in Pretoria. She serves as the National Coordinator of Talitha Kum South Africa, an anti-human trafficking network, working in collaboration with the National Office of Migrants, Refugees, and Human Trafficking at the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC). She previously worked as a youth worker for six years in the Diocese of Witbank and currently facilitates workshops for communities across South Africa. Additionally, she serves as a Safeguarding Personnel member in a team of thirteen in the Diocese of Bethlehem. Sister Cecilia holds a Doctorate in Public Administration and Child Nursing Science.
Prof. Luka David Mosoma | Former Deputy Vice Chancellor of UNISSA and Former Chairperson of CRL Rights Commission
Currently, Prof. Luka David Mosoma is a member of the University of South Africa Council and Chairperson of the Tshwane EPCSA Training and Development Committee. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree (cum laude) and a Master of Theology Degree from Princeton, New Jersey, USA, having completed both undergraduate and honours degrees from the University of South Africa (UNISA). He taught systematic theology and ethics at the University of South Africa, holding leadership positions in the political, academic, professional, and interfaith religious spheres of South African society.
Khanyisile Motsa | Director & Founder Berea Hillbrow Home of Hope for Girls
Khanyisile Motsa, affectionately known as Mam’ Khanyi, is the founder and director of Home of Hope for Girls, a Johannesburg-based organisation dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and empowering girls who have experienced gender based violence, sexual exploitation, or abuse. A passionate human rights advocate, Khanyisile began her journey in 2000 by offering her own home as a safe haven for vulnerable children. Since then, she has grown the initiative into a nationally recognized sanctuary, supporting hundreds of girls through holistic care, education, and emotional healing. Her tireless work has earned her numerous awards and global recognition. Khanyisile continues to be a fearless voice for the voiceless, driven by compassion and a deep belief in the power of second chances and community transformation.
Serofo Motshekga | Founder, Director for Youth and Children's Affairs, Kara Development Ministries
Former Speaker of the Gauteng Youth Parliament (2013), Represented South Africa at the Commonwealth Youth Parliament in Malawi (2013) and in Zambia (2014), Finalist for the South African Men of the Year Awards (365 Men’s Awards) in 2019 (in the categories of Youth Development, Entrepreneurship and Education). Founder of Mokhalabjwe Consultants Pty Ltd, and currently heading Kara Development Ministries. From 2016 to 2019, Mr. Motshekga hosted four annual Missing Persons Awareness Walks.
Avhasei Fredah Mulovhedzi | Secretary General of Southern African Interfaith Council
Avhasei Fredah Mulovhedzi holds a Master of Business Administration, a Master’s Diploma in Human Resources Management, a Higher Education Diploma, and a Bachelor of Arts. She serves as the Secretary General of the Southern African Interfaith Council, overseeing the management, administration, and coordination of interfaith structures at national and provincial levels. Her extensive experience also includes roles as Coordinator of Cultural and Religious Affairs, Project Director of the Mapungubwe Landscape, Assistant Director in the Education Department, and positions as a lecturer and teacher, contributing significantly to educational and cultural initiatives.
Dr. Sylvia Pheto | Commissioner, IF20 Local Organizing Committee
Dr. Sylvia Pheto is a Commissioner at the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious, and Linguistic Communities in South Africa. A member of the IF20 South Africa Local Organizing Committee, she contributes to local arrangements and brings extensive knowledge to the conference’s coordination efforts.
Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay | General Secretary, World Council of Churches
Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay has served as General Secretary of the World Council of Churches since January 2023, overseeing its global operations. A member of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa, he was previously Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Pretoria. His leadership strengthens ecumenical efforts and promotes global Christian unity.
President Bhekinhlanhla Sibisi | President of AAFIS
Leader and President of The revelation Spiritual Home since 2017 to date. Leading 84 Centers in SADC & Abroad. I am also a member of AAFIS. (African Association for Indigenous Association)
Bishop Anton Sipuka | President of the South African Council of Churches (SACC); and chairperson of the National Church Leaders’ Consultation.
Bishop Sithembele Sipuka is the Catholic Bishop of Mthatha and the immediate past president of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC). Born in Idutywa, Transkei, he grew up in Butterworth, completing his matriculation in 1979. After working at the Idutywa Post Office, he began his journey to priesthood, studying at St. Peter’s Seminary Hammanskraal and St. John Vianney Seminary, where he earned an Honours degree in Theology in 1988, the same year he was ordained.
Nokuzola Tolashe | Minister of Social Development of South Africa
Ms Nokuzola Gladys (Sisisi) Tolashe was appointed as the Minister of Social Development from 3 July 2024. Ms Tolashe was previously Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities from 6 March 2023 to 19 June 2024. She has been a Member of Parliament since 2016. She served on the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Portfolio Committee on Labour, the Portfolio Committee on Communications. She resigned from the National Assembly on 25 February 2018. In the same year, she was elected as the Executive Mayor of the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality. Deputy Minister Tolashe was elected back to the National Assembly in the 2019 general elections.
She served on the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and the Committee for Section 194 Enquiry. In 2020, she served as Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee on the appointment of the Auditor-General. The Deputy Minister is born, bred and educated in Queenstown in the Eastern Cape, Deputy Minister Tolashe cut her teeth in student and youth movement politics leading to ongoing detentions under different states of emergency. Before unbanning she served under the United Democratic Front (UDF) in both women, youth and civic organizations. In the 1980s she was detained for 3 years in prison under session 29 and 2 years under the state of emergency which makes it 5 years in prison. The harassment, torture including imprisonment did not break her spirit but strengthened her resolve to continue with the fight for the liberation and the emancipation and empowerment of women.
Dr. Jane Mufamadi | CEO Freedom Park
Dr. Jane Mufamadi is the CEO of Freedom Park, an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in South Africa. She holds a Master’s degree in Psychology and a PhD in African Studies. With a strong academic background, Dr. Mufamadi has worked in various senior management positions, including as Head of Heritage and Knowledge Department at Freedom Park, and as a lecturer at the University of Venda. She has also served on the South African Geographical Names Council, and worked closely with faith-based communities, traditional leaders, and indigenous knowledge practitioners in South Africa. A published author, Dr. Mufamadi has written for accredited journals, book chapters, and newspapers, sharing her expertise and insights. Dr. Mufamadi’ s expertise, knowledge and experience make her a respected voice in her field, driving her work at Freedom Park and beyond.
Pastor Gareth Stead | Head: Nation Building, Every Nation Churches (Southern Africa)
Gareth Stead is an ordained church minister who leads the Nation Building portfolio for Every Nation Churches (Southern Africa), a movement of churches in over 70 nations. He and his wife Wendy led the mother congregation in Cape Town for 15 years. He is a co-founder and director of the Africa School of Governance which aims to train & equip ethical and competent leaders for public service. He has been married for 30 years and has 4 adult children. He also works in the marketplace as an executive coach and consultant with Xpand SA specialising in high trust cultures and organisational development.
Nobukhosi Zulu-Taruza | Law and Policy Specialist
Nobukhosi Zulu-Taruza is a highly experienced law and policy specialist with deep expertise in policy development, strategic litigation, and human rights. Her work spans national and regional contexts, with a strong focus on protecting and promoting the rights of women and children. She is particularly passionate about the early years of learning, advocating for equitable, accessible, and well-regulated education systems. Nobukhosi is also deeply committed to advancing broader human rights issues affecting women and children, using law and policy as tools for systemic change. With a strong belief in the importance of faith-based freedoms, she is a dedicated advocate for the protection and promotion of religious freedom. Through her work, she continues to drive inclusive policy reforms and contribute to the development of rights-based frameworks that centre the most vulnerable in society.
Lance Thomas | Manager at the University of Pretoria, Faculty of Theology and Religion
Lance Thomas is a seasoned project manager and community development specialist with over two decades of experience in acedemia, faith-based and social justice initiatives. He currently serves as Project Manager at the Centre for Faith and Community at the University of Pretoria and was recently Acting CEO of the Tshwane Leadership Foundation. With advanced studies in Philosophy, Theology and Migration Studies, Lance has led numerous national and international projects focused on homelessness, migration, and peacebuilding. His career spans roles in academia, non-profit leadership, and missionary work across Africa. A skilled strategist and communicator, he has presented at global forums and collaborated with institutions like UNICEF, UNHCR, and the South African Presidency. Lance continues to mentor grassroots organizations while serving as a Memeber of the Association for Christian Religious Practitioners and a Board Member of the Tshwane Leadership Foundation
Alana Frances Baranov |
Alana is the Country Director of HIAS South Africa, the international Jewish humanitarian organization supporting refugee rights. She was recently elected President of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Council.
Mawlānā Uwais MA Dockrat | Markaz Manār al-Fikr
Uwais Dockrat is a scholar and public servant with a history in Islamic education and outreach. He completed his schooling at Tshwane Muslim School and went on to pursue an ‘Aalim course at Darul Uloom Azaadville, where he deepened his understanding of Islamic studies.
After qualifying, Uwais founded Markaz Manār al-Fikr, an organization focused on advancing Islamic knowledge, addressing modern-day doubts and misconceptions, and strengthening Islamic beliefs. As the coordinator of the Board of Governors at Tshwane Muslim School, he continues to influence educational strategies and policies. Uwais is also actively involved with the Association of Muslim Schools (AMS) both at the Gauteng and national levels, contributing to the broader educational discourse within the community.
Dr. Lee-Shae Salma Scharnick Udemans | Senior Researcher Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice, University of the Western Cape
Lee Scharnick-Udemans is an Associate Professor and Senior Researcher in the Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice at the University of the Western Cape and a co-editor for the Journal of the Study of Religion. She researches, teaches, and supervises in the areas of religious diversity, pluralism, new religious movements, and media. Her publications focus on the dynamics between the political economies of religion and media, and address topics such as religious normativity, racialisation of religion, religious privilege, pluralism and diversity.
Sarah Oliver | URI Global Learning and Action Coordinator
Sarah Oliver serves as the Global Learning and Action Coordinator for the United Religions Initiative (URI). Her work focuses on enhancing youth engagement as well as developing learning opportunities in conflict resolution, interfaith dialogue and earth restoration. She is passionate about designing inclusive group processes that foster collaboration across differences, center marginalized experiences and cultivate joy and creativity for collective healing. Beyond URI, Sarah serves on the Board of the Cape Town Interfaith Initiative and volunteers with the African Climate Alliance, actively contributing to local peacebuilding and environmental action.
Babalwa Ngcongolo | Charter for Compassion and Cape Town Interfaith Initiative
Babalwa Ngcongolo is a dedicated peacebuilder and strategist who works at the intersection of policy, education, and advocacy to strengthen civil society and promote social justice. Her efforts center on creating inclusive processes that tackle systemic inequality through participatory dialogue, leadership development, and institutional reform.
With a robust background in economics, design thinking, and narrative practice, Babalwa applies an interdisciplinary approach to her work. She integrates research, grassroots perspectives, and interfaith values to drive social outcomes that prioritize people and equity. As Executive Director of the Changeways Centre for Collaborative Justice, she also serves on multiple national and international boards dedicated to compassion-based governance, cultural heritage, and interfaith collaboration.
Babalwa leads transformative initiatives that turn dialogue into actionable change, supports the growth of emerging leaders, and amplifies underrepresented voices through storytelling, strategy, and structural reform. Whether in boardrooms, classrooms, or community forums, she fosters environments where dignity and justice can flourish.
Dr. Carike Noeth | Southern Africa Regional Manager Globethics
Dr. Carike Noeth is currently the centre manager of the Southern Africa Regional Centre of Globethics. She received a PhD from Stellenbosch University in 2017. She has been involved with tertiary education since 2014 and believes that education holds the key to a better future. She is also a research fellow at Stellenbosch University. Her career goal is to associate and align herself with companies, organisations, institutions, and NPO’s with a robust ethical focus. She is dedicated to promoting and achieving the kind of societal morality that will bring about a significant impact on social transformation, ethical awareness, and basic moral decision-making.
Prof. Muhammad Haron | Head of Office of Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ministry of Social Development
Muhammed Haron is Head of Office of the South African Deputy Minister of Social Development and Director of International Relations at the International Peace College of South Africa, and Al Jama-ah Political Party’s National Chairperson. He was attached to the University of Botswana where he was a Professor of Religious Studies. He was previously with the University of the Western and the University of Cape Town. Haron is the Editor-in-Chief of Duke University’s Research Africa Reviews. He authored/edited/co-edited Dynamics of Christian-Muslim Relations (Uppsala 2006), Going Forward: South African-Malaysia Relations (Kuala Lumpur 2008), South Africa’s TRC: An Annotated Bibliography (New York 2009), Islamic Civilization in Southern Africa (Istanbul 2009), Muslim Higher Education in Postcolonial Africa (London 2016), Bechuanaland’s Muslim Pioneers (Gaborone 2018), Connecting South-South Communities: Narrating the Tales of South Africa-Malaysia Relations (Newcastle 2018), Indonesia- South Africa: A South-South Partnership (Pretoria 2019), Law, Religion & Environment in Africa (Stellenbosch 2020), Evaluating Shaykh Yusuf Al-Makassari and Imam ‘Abdullah Tidore (Pretoria 2021), and 2024. Proceedings of the International Symposium of Islamic Civilization in Southern Africa Sept. 2022. (Istanbul & Johannesburg 2024)
Aarifa Hunter | Governance Coordinator, Equal Education
Aarifah Hunter is a community development enthusiast with extensive experience working in disadvantaged communities in Durban. She holds an Honours degree in Community and Development Studies from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and an Aalimah certificate from Madrassah Islahul Muslimat. The intersection of her academic and religious studies has shaped her approach to social justice and community work. Aarifah currently works at Equal Education, advocating for quality and equality in South Africa’s education system, and serves on the executive council of Religions for Peace. Her passion for changemaking is reflected in her grassroots involvement—tutoring underprivileged children, facilitating skills development projects, and organizing cultural and outreach programs. She has also completed a counselling course to better support those she serves. Aarifah is committed to finding sustainable solutions to South Africa’s socio-economic challenges and believes that real change begins in communities, with people working together to build a more just and equal society.
Mr. Amos Mulaudzi | Living Heritage Manager, National Heritage Council of South Africa
Born and bred in the Limpopo Province, Vhembe District, South Africa. Graduated at the University of Venda with a Bachelor of Arts in History, Anthropology and Political Studies. Trained and worked as an English and History teacher before joining the South African Heritage Resources Agency where he served as a Cultural Heritage Officer. He is currently the Living Heritage Manager at the National Heritage Council of South Africa. Also an alumni of the University of Witwatersrand, University of South Africa. Currently persuing a Post-graduate Degree on Heritage Studies at the University of Pretoria. His research topic is: On the involvement of communities in the management of heritage at the Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site.
Slindo Shamase | Head of Department: Heritage and Knowledge, Freedom Park Heritage and Museum
Ms. Shamase leads the Heritage and Knowledge department at Freedom Park which is tasked with leading all mandates of the Institution on Spirituality, Culture, Heritage and Research. Before joining Freedom Park, she worked for the Gauteng Department of Education’s Teacher Development Institute Matthew Goniwe School of Leadership and Governance as the Chief of Programmes and Institution Strategy Officer.
Prior to that, she was a lecturer and programme coordinator for MANCOSA and part of the team to establish GIBS KZN MBA programme as its programme manager. She has worked in Academic Management and Administration for over 20 years up to the Operations Management level of the top tier South African Universities such as UKZN and Wits University.
She is highly passionate about Higher Education and its potential to unlock economic growth and development. One of her passions is Community and Economic Development, which she explored when holding the position of the Head of the Fellowship programme at the Foundation for Professional Development, managing, and implementing youth employment and education programmes for organisations such as USAID, Pepfar, Nethope, Absa and various SETAs. Ms. Shamase is a stickler for excellence, and she has always embodied that in her work, winning her a Staff Service Excellent Award at UKZN in 2015. This excellence and passion for doing things right is carried to all facets of her work and the various clients and businesses she has worked with.
Slindo holds a Master’s in Business Administration from UKZN, a Leadership and Management Advancement Programme from Wits and Duke University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Environment and Development Studies from UKZN. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) with Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM) (Spain). Her academic research and reading interests include history, spirituality, strategy, operations management, higher education, entrepreneurship, economic growth and development, climate change, environmental management, green economies, e-commerce, and scenario planning.
Dean Liprini | CEO Sacred Sites Foundation of Southern Africa, NPO/NGO
Dean Liprini is the CEO of the Sacred Sites Foundation of Southern Africa, he is also a researcher and author on prehistoric sacred sites in southern Africa. The sacred sites foundation is in support of the indigenous original peoples and their rights of access to the sacred places of their ancestors, helping to set up custodianship initiatives for the indigenous descendants, creating opportunities for them to embrace their Cultural and Spiritual Life Ways, creating sustainable jobs in cultural tourism, initiating interpretive centres and Museum developments, with full and prior consent of the indigenous leaders of these communities.
Sean Cleary | FutureWorld Foundation
Seán Cleary is Executive Vice-Chair of the FutureWorld Foundation, an Advisory Council member of the World Leadership Alliance-Club de Madrid, EIT Climate-KIC, and the Institute of Advanced Studies, Kőszeg; a Faculty Member of the Parmenides Foundation; a Senior Advisor and Senior Fellow (and former Board Member) of the Salzburg Global Seminar; Special Adviser to the Global Solutions Initiative, a Diplomacy Moderator of the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator, and a Director of Companies
He saw diplomatic service in Iran (1970-1975), the USA (1978-1983), and Namibia – where he facilitated all-party negotiations, the release of political prisoners, and the adoption of a Bill of Rights. He served on the Facilitating and Preparatory Committee of South Africa’s National Peace Accord and chaired the Working Group on the Code of Conduct for Political Parties.
He studied social sciences, philosophy and law in South Africa and Iran, and has an MBA from Henley Management College and lectured around the world on global corporate strategy, development and conflict resolution.
Merylene Chitharai | Youth Coordinator & Professional Architectural Technologist, Religions for Peace South Africa & African Council of Religious Leaders
Merylene Chitharai is a Durban-based spiritual eco-activist, deeply committed to advancing ecological justice and social transformation through faith-based engagement. She holds leadership roles with Religions for Peace, the African Council of Religious Leaders, Bhakti Marga and their interfaith youth initiatives, where she works to empower young people and foster dialogue across spiritual traditions. Merylene contributes to environmental policy initiatives in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), championing inclusive, values-driven approaches to sustainability. In 2019, she was awarded the Innovative Youth Prize and went on to create the Religions for Peace Interfaith Youth Climate Forum.
Alongside her advocacy, Merylene is a Professional Architectural Technologist, Media Specialist, and 3D Graphic Designer with over 18 years of experience in social and sustainable architecture. She brings her design expertise to community-focused projects that reimagine the built environment in service of dignity, resilience, and shared wellbeing.
Mushra Hartley | Global Operations Manager International Emissions Trading Association (IETA)
My name is Mushra. I am from Cape Town, South Africa. My academic background includes an
undergraduate degree in Business Administration and postgraduate qualifications in Strategy,
Operations and Business Analysis from Duke CE and UCT.
I have 20+ years of experience in Business Operations, holding leadership roles in multiple industries
including Construction, Media and Tech. I am the Global Operations Manager at the International
Emissions Trading Association.
IETA. is an NPO, focused on establishing effective market-based trading systems for GHG emissions
and aims to empower businesses to engage in climate action and advance the objectives of the Paris
Agreement, in order and to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
I am also a chapter leads of Women in Carbon SA, which is a global initiative with chapters in various
counties; designed to empower and amplify the voices of women in the Carbon Industry.
Michael Karano Dube | Chief Executive and Founder, InvestRural Platforms
Karabo is a mission-driven leader and Rural Development strategist committed to transforming Africa’s underserved communities through innovation, collaboration, and faith-based leadership. With a clear mandate to restore dignity and opportunity to rural areas, he founded the InvestRural® Connect platform,an integrated digital ecosystem that connects rural communities, investors, and solution providers to catalyze sustainable development. Guided by biblical principles and inspired by the life of Joseph, Karabo bridges ancient wisdom with modern technology to unlock economic prosperity and self-reliance in rural communities. His work spans governance, digital transformation, community empowerment, and social entrepreneurship. Karabo is also a compelling storyteller and facilitator, known for his ability to inspire purpose-driven action across sectors. Whether convening traditional leaders, tech innovators, or grassroots changemakers, he brings people together to co-create a future where no community is left behind. His leadership is anchored in faith, vision, and a deep belief in Africa’s untapped rural potential.Karabo has dedicated the remaining years of his life to serving rural people.
Pastor Jan Pretorius | Head of Operations; SACOFF/Mahlasedi Foundation
Pastor Jan Pretorius is a full-time pastor and the General Manager of 3C Church, a vibrant, multi-site church based in Tshwane, South Africa. With a professional background in finance and banking, Pastor Jan brings strategic insight and operational excellence to both ministry and organisational leadership.
He also serves as the Head of Operations for the Mahlasedi Foundation NPC, a national non-profit committed to sustainable community transformation through education, food security, disaster relief, and youth development. In addition, he leads operational strategy for SACOFF (South African Community of Faith-Based Fraternals & Federations), representing over 225 member organisations and more than 19,900 faith-based entities across South Africa.
Respected for his servant leadership and results-driven approach, Pastor Jan combines faith, vision, and systems thinking to advance impactful work in both church and society. He is married to Abrie Pretorius, and they are blessed with three children and one grandchild.
Dr. Molefe Tsele | Chaplain General; ANC Chaplaincy
Theologian, former General Secretary of the South African Council of churches, Retired Diplomat, currently Chaplain General of the African National Congress
Dr Tahirih Matthee | Educator, AU-IFDF
Tahirih Matthee serves as the Interfaith Liaison for the Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs (BOPA) in South Africa. She is also a member of the African Union Interfaith Dialogue Forum (AU-IFDF) Steering Committee and consults as an interfaith collaborator in the Bahá’í community with the Addis Ababa Office of External Affairs. Currently she is a member of the Board of the South African Faith and Family Institute (SAFFI), and supports the work of Cape Town Interfaith Initiative (CTII), Western Cape Religious Forum (WCRLF) and the Southern African Faith Communities Environmental Institute (SAFCEI).
Prof. Mathole Motshekga | Executive Director; African Renaissance Forum
A scholar of law and philosophy, Prof. Motshekga has written extensively on African history, jurisprudence, spiritual traditions, local and traditional governance. His work continues to advance social cohesion, and the decolonisation of knowledge and development frameworks. He also chaired the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, contributing significantly to the country’s constitutional reform and legal transformation. He also co-chaired the joint committee on parliamentary finance management.
Motshekga is an advocate of the High Court of South Africa, Prof of Law at the University of South Africa, Prof of Law at the University of Stellenbosch and executive chairperson of the Kara Heritage Institute and the African Renaissance Forum. Motshekga is the former Premier of Gauteng Province, Chief Whip of the ANC in the Parliament of the RSA, Member of the Pan African Parliament, Former NEC Member of the African National Congress (ANC).
He is currently serving as the Chief Royal Councilor of Queen Masalanabo Modjadji of the Balobedu Royal Nation and member of the Local Organising Committee of the G20 Interfaith Forum and Executive Chairman of the South African Interfaith Council.
Rev. Dr Nioma Venter | General Secretary; General Synod: Dutch Reformed Church
Rev. Dr. Nioma Venter is the General Secretary of the Dutch Reformed Church, having assumed the role on 1 February 2024. She also serves as Second Vice-President of the South African Council of Churches (SACC), elected in October 2024 alongside key ecumenical figures.
Originally trained as a social worker at Huguenot College (1988–1991), Nioma served for 16 years in addiction treatment and community development. She later proceeded to study theology and earned a Licentiate in Theology from the University of Stellenbosch (2002-2008). She completed her PhD at the University of Pretoria in 2023, exploring interdisciplinary and intersectoral collaboration for greater impact in social transformation.
Ordained in 2008, she pastored in Prieska and Worcester before taking on a synodical leadership role in 2017, leading diaconal ministry with innovation and scholarship. She served as vice chairperson of the Western Cape Synod and the General Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church from 2019 to 2023. Known for her collaborative approach, Dr Venter actively engages church leaders, experts, and communities in shaping relevant theological and social responses.
Her leadership bridges theology, social justice, and church administration, driven by a strong sense of vocation and a commitment to communal service.
Fr. Hugh O’Connor | Secretary General; Southern Africa Catholic Bishop
I am a catholic priest of the Archdiocese of CapeTown. I currently work as the Secreatry general of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference. I have a diploma in Philosphy, a BA in African History and Political Studies and Theology and a Masters in Moral Theology
Mark Gaffley | Director: Legal & Operations, Global Center on AI Governance
Mark is an admitted attorney (South Africa) with 15 years of legal and research experience gained through leading local and international organizations including Uber, Takealot, HSRC, simple.Capital(), and Global Center on AI Governance (GCG).
From 2019-2024, Mark ran his own consultancy, Athinktank, which undertook law-focused AI research and advisory projects. Mark’s legal areas of expertise include commercial law, e-commerce & technology, start-ups, and compliance. Mark currently serves as Director: Legal & Operations at GCG.
Mark holds degrees in arts and law, both from the University of Cape Town (UCT). Mark is reading for his PhD in Jurisprudence at UCT, where his research interrogates the moral implications of AI, particularly its effect on human autonomy and independent decision-making.
Finally, Mark is a co-author of Human Rights and the Fourth Industrial Revolution in South Africa (HSRC Press, 2021), the first major investigation of the human rights implications of the 4IR in South Africa.
- Dr. Shimmy Kotu | Chairmain; Anti Regulation of Religion Summit
A South African Religious Freedom Activist. Philosopher and Theologian. Author of 18 published books, Family Counsellor, Organisational Development Expert and Public Speaker / Lobbyist
Professional Experience:
Past
1. Assistant Chief – Johannesburg Emergency Management Services, RSA
2. Executive Officer: Labour Relations in the City of Johannesburg, RSA
3. Chief of Staff for Johannesburg Public Safety, Emergency Management Services, RSA
4. President: Prison Fellowship South Africa
5. Member: International Council for Prison Fellowship International, Washington DC, USA
6. Lobbyist for Criminal Justice Reforms globally
Present
7. Chairman: Pan African Social Justice Alliance. RSA
8. Chairman: Shimmy Kotu Foundation RSA
9. Chairman: Anti Regulation of Religion Summit RSA
Sara Gon | Director; Free Speech Union of South Africa
Sara is the executive director of the Free Speech Union of South Africa. She is also an independent political commentator and writer, and presents a weekly program on SA politics on Chai FM, the country’s Jewish radio station. Sara spent the last 10 years as an analyst, writer and contributing editor at the SA Institute of Race Relations.
Prior to that, she was an attorney by profession, practicing employment law at Webber Wentzel – one of South Africa’s ‘big 5’ law firms for 17 years. Sara then co-founded and ran the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra for 6 years. Thereafter she ran a chamber music agency for a couple of years before joining the IRR. Sara has been a mediator, arbitrator and sat as an acting judge in the Labour Court and an assessor in the Labour Appeal Court, among other positions.
Liesl Pretorius | Head of Legal; Freedom of Religion South Africa
Liesl Pretorius is an admitted attorney who currently serves as Head of Legal with Freedom of Religion South Africa (a legal advocacy organisation mandated to upholding religious freedom and related rights in South Africa).
Lynn Swain | CEO, Symbiota Leadership Institute
Lynn Swain is a TEDx speaker, neuroplastician, and internationally respected leadership specialist with over two decades of experience supporting senior leaders and global organisations. She is the CEO of the Symbiota Leadership Institute and a Fellow of the US-based Faith and Media Initiative (F.A.M.I).
Holding a Master of Science in the Neuroscience of Leadership from Middlesex University, UK, Lynn is among a small group of globally qualified experts in this field. She integrates cutting-edge neuroscience with practical strategies to reshape interpersonal dynamics and organisational culture—particularly in complex, diverse, and trust-challenged environments.
Trusted by blue-chip clients worldwide, Lynn’s leadership superpower lies in equipping leaders to shift mindsets, navigate social threat, and rebuild psychological safety using brain-based tools creating measurable change.
Her voice brings a grounded yet transformative lens to issues of communication, social cohesion, and trust across faith, media, and leadership contexts.
Yashika Singh | Head of Religion Genre: SA Broadcasting Corporation-TV Division
Yashika Singh is currently the Head of Religion for SABC Video Entertainment (Television) and served in many capacities at the Public Broadcaster for nearly 26 years. In the early years, she was involved in production, scriptwriting, directing and presenting television shows that spanned many genres of work over the years. She was also employed at SABC 3 where she worked in International Acquisitions, Programme Acceptance, Scheduling and programming. She later moved to SABC 2 where the Religious department was housed and thereafter she moved to SABC’s Content Hub Division.
She was appointed Commissioning Editor in the religious unit for many years working on a range of formats for the Broadcaster. This ranged from magazine lifestyle shows, Signature Series, worship, drama, Children’s programming, documentaries, and commissioned local and International Award Winning Films, for the long established Issues of Faith series at the Asia Pacific Institute for Broadcast Development, for the SABC. She was appointed Senior Commissioning Editor for 9 years. She was also the recipient of the Leadership Development programme Scholarship to the USA in 2008. She also attended the AIBD institute in Kuala Lampur where the film Good Vibrations won Best Documentary. She attended the Culture, Conflict and Communication Course there and attended the Peace Journalism program by the Goethe Institute. Her history of political activism began in get student years. She was awarded Peace Ambassador in 2014 by HWPL. She continues to work with faith based structures in SA and abroad.
Izzy Ben-Ebrahim | Fellow Alumnus: KAICIID
Izzy Ben-Ebrahim (they/them) is an educator, linguist, facilitator, decolonialist, and KAICIID Fellow Alumnus. They serve as Head of Operations for A Common Word Among the Youth (ACWAY), working across curriculum design, social justice advocacy, interreligious dialogue, and decolonial practice. Izzy contributes to South African and international initiatives exploring belonging, “the other,” and how souls come into being. They have served on the board of the Cape Town Interfaith Initiative (CTII) and have worked to create interfaith and intercultural spaces of dialogue for youth across Southern Africa. Internationally, they have engaged with the Muslim Jewish Interfaith Coalition (MJIC) and facilitated dialogues for the Taizé Community and Habonim Dror Southern Africa. Izzy holds degrees in linguistics, Arabic, and Hebrew, with honours research focusing on the evolution of modern Hebrew through Aramaic texts in the Tanakh (Old Testament).
Commissioner Ras Sipho Mantula | Part-Time Commisioner; Commission for the Promotion and Religious and Linguistics Communities
Commissioner Ras Adv Sipho Mantula is a Rastafarian activist and human rights defender in Africa, his passion is on issues of concerning the African continent and its diaspora , issues related to human and people’s rights- with specific focus on cultural, religious and language rights, conflict resolution.
Tshepo Madlingozi | Commissioner; South African Human Rights Commision
Tshepo Madlingozi is a Commissioner at the South African Human Rights Commission responsible for Anti-racism, Education, and Equality focal areas.
Before joining the SAHRC, he was the Director of the Centre for Applied Legal Studies at the Wits University (a law clinic using tools of research, advocacy, and strategic litigation), and was actively involved in the work of various civil society organizations and initiatives. Madlingozi scholarly interests lie on the interface of settler colonisation, decolonisation, and critical approaches to transnational justice.
Michael Swain | Executive Director; Freedom of Religion SA (FoRSA)
Michael Swain was raised in England, graduating from the University of Bristol with an Honours degree in Law before immigrating to South Africa in 1983. He is a co-founder and former vice president of the Every Nation (formerly His People) movement of churches and ministries. He has spent over 30 years in Christian ministry in South Africa, Europe, and the USA.
Michael has also enjoyed success as a businessman, having founded and run companies in diverse areas, including software development, events management, marketing, and communications.
Michael currently serves as the Executive Director and primary spokesperson for FOR SA. He is an allied lawyer with the Global Advocacy Alliance.
Thembi Tulwana | Secretary General; Inkululeko Yesizwr Association
I am a full member of the Revelation Spiritual Home (TRSH) for the past fifteen years. Am also a member of the TRSH Upper House, a Senior Leader and a spokesperson for the institution.
I hold a bachelor’ of Science in Management degree from Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia (USA). I hold a post graduate Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from de Montford University (UK)
I am the President of Trillio’n Cart Investments (PTY) Ltd. Company in Johannesburg. I am a seasoned Corporate Executive and Communications Specialist.
I am a non Executive Director of the Board of Siyanda Resources a mining company
Prof Jonathan Jansen | Distinguished Professor of Education; Stellenbosch University
Professor Jonathan Jansen is a distinguished professor of education at Stellenbosch University and the immediate past president of the Academy of Science of South Africa. He completed his BSc at the University of the Western Cape and his teaching credentials at Unisa before doing an MS at Cornell University and a PhD at Stanford University. In 2023, Professor Jansen was recently inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and was the Chin Yidan Global Fellow at Harvard University in 2024.
Professor Jansen is a luminary in the field of education with over 30 books to his name, including the acclaimed Leading for Change (Routledge, 2016), As by fire: The end of the South African university (Tafelberg, 2017), Song for Sarah: Lessons from My Mother (Bookstorm, 2017), and The Decolonization of Knowledge (Cambridge, 2022). He is known for his seminal contributions over four decades to the advancement of education scholarship through advanced research and publication, scholarly teaching, university management, science leadership, school improvement, educational innovation, capacity development, public engagement, and science advocacy.
Professor Jansen’s insights into race, leadership, and personal growth as well as his tireless advocacy for tolerance and human rights has earned him accolades including a Lifetime Achiever Award for Africa at the Education Africa Global Awards in New York, and the University of California’s Spendlove Award for his contribution to tolerance, democracy, and human rights.
Maniraj Sukdaven | Professor, University of South Africa
Name: Maniraj Sukdaven
Residence: City of Pretoria (South Africa)
Current employment: University of Pretoria (South Africa)
Current position:
1. Associate Professor/Director of the Oxford [University of Pretoria] Centre for Religion, Public Life and Security in Africa
2. Associate professor in Religion Studies at University of Pretoria
3. Adjunct Professor in Christianity at the University of Tehran
4. Minister of Religion in the Reformed Church in Africa
Previous employment:
University of the Free State (South Africa): HoD Religion Studies (1996 – 2014)
Qualifications:
1. BTheol – University of KwaZulu Natal (South Africa)
2. MA Religion Studies – University of the Free State (South Africa)
3. PhD Hinduism – University of the Free State (south Africa)
Academic profile:
1. National Research Foundation C2 rated scholar
2. Supervised 11 Masters and 12 Ph.D. students
3. Published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and chapters in books
4. Co-author of three books on African Intellectual Heritage
5. Guest lecturer at various international institutions
Main area of academic research:
1. Inter-, intra-, and trans religion dialogues and impact on religious beliefs and practices
2. Religious Worldviews
3. Social Cohesion
Prof Rassie Malherbe | Acting Convenor; South African Council for Religious Rights and Freedoms
Prof Rassie Malherbe is the acting convenor of the South African Council for Religious Rights and Freedoms, and emeritus professor of constitutional law at the University of Johannesburg. He was a member of the team that drafted the South African Charter of Religious Rights and Freedoms as well as the Code of Conduct for Religions in South Africa, the two documents being promoted by the South African Council for Religious Rights and Freedoms. The author of many articles on constitutional law, human rights, religious freedom and education rights, Prof Malherbe still advises several institutions on public legal issues.
Pastor Giet Khosa | General Secretary of Christian Churches
Pastor Giet Khosa is currently serving as the General Secretary of the International Federation of Christian Churches (IFCC) , a Christian organisation with a membership of over 400 Churches across South Africa.
He is the Senior Pastor of World Changers Church SA based in Midrand alongside his wife Nkateko. Pastor Giet is a father to 4 children. Before he and his spouse founded World Changers Church SA, he was the CEO of Rhema Bible Church North and worked closely with the late Reverend Ray McCauley ; a man of enormous proportions who is widely regarded as the global leader and father of charismatic churches in South Africa.
Bert Pretorius | President SACOFF
Pastor Bert is the founder of SACOFF (South African Community of Faith-Based Fraternals and F ederations). As of date SACOFF has 225 registered members representing 19,998 churches. SACOFF is a vehicle from the religious community working to address the social needs of our society, touching every geographical community in South Africa. Pastors Bert and Charné are also the founders of the Mahlasedi Foundation, spearheading many welfare and social development projects. These include specialist areas like Disaster Relief Food Distribution, wherein the last two years over R240million worth of food was distributed, equating to 60 million meals, feeding over 600,000 people from every province in South Africa.
Russia
Vladislav Artiukhov | Operational Team Member, A Common Word Among the Youth (ACWAY)
Vladislav Artiukhov is a Youth Worker and International Project Coordinator at CGE Erfurt e.V., leading projects on civic engagement and sustainability. An active member of ACWAY, he promotes interfaith and intercultural dialogue. With degrees in Intercultural Communication and International Business, he has coordinated numerous Erasmus+ initiatives, fostering inclusive education and community-building across Europe.
Dr. Liliya Khasanova | Executive Director, A Common Word Among the Youth (ACWAY)
Dr. Liliya Khasanova serves as the Executive Director of A Common Word Among the Youth (ACWAY), promoting youth leadership in interfaith dialogue. A post-doctoral fellow in international law at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, she has held research positions at Harvard and Stockholm. A 2021 Women, Peace, and Security Fellow, she drafted Interfaith Development Goals and organized youth forums on peacebuilding and human rights.
Aleksandr I. Stenko | Political and Religious Sciences Researcher, RUDN University named after Patrice Lumumba
Aleksandr I. Stenko is an Associate Professor at RUDN University in Moscow, researching intercultural communication, interfaith relations, and religious factors in international politics. His work explores how religious engagement can address social challenges, contributing to academic discourse on global religious dynamics.
Rwanda
Emile Kayitare | Founder and CEO, Empower the Future
Emile Kayitare is the Founder and CEO of Empower the Future, a nonprofit focused on reintegrating former street children with their families and promoting self-reliance through education and skills training. He also serves as Communication Director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Rwanda, fostering relationships with government and faith leaders to promote peace and national development.
Senegal
H.E. Adama Dieng | Special Adviser, The Muslim Council of Elders
H.E. Adama Dieng serves as Special Adviser to the Muslim Council of Elders. A former UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, he was Registrar of the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and Secretary-General of the International Commission of Jurists. He founded the Pan-African Alliance for Transparency and the Rule of Law and serves as Deputy Chair of the Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.
Sierra Leone
Hazel Maureen D. Dixon | Regional Desk Officer, African Union Commission
Hazel Maureen D. Dixon has served as the Regional Desk Officer of the Civil Division at the African Union Commission’s Citizens and Diaspora Organizations Directorate since 2016. She coordinates civil society engagement with AU organs and member states, promoting a people-centered Union. Her work with interfaith mechanisms leverages Africa’s diverse faiths to build resilience and support integration and development goals.
Singapore
Mohamed Imran Bin Mohamed Taib | Founding Director, Dialogue Centre Limited
Mohamed Imran Mohamed Taib is the Founding Director of Dialogue Centre Limited and a board member of the Centre for Interfaith Understanding in Singapore. With over two decades of experience in multiculturalism and interreligious relations, he has published extensively and delivered lectures globally. A graduate of Birkbeck College, University of London, he advocates for diversity and facilitates interfaith dialogue.
Sri Lanka
Gihan Indraguptha | Human Rights Officer, UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Gihan Indraguptha currently serves as a Human Rights Officer at the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva, supporting the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief. Previously, he contributed to a thematic report on the freedom of religion or belief of indigenous people presented at the UN General Assembly. For 13 years, he was a public servant and diplomat for Sri Lanka, serving as director in charge of human rights at the Foreign Ministry and as a diplomat at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Before joining the foreign service, he reported extensively as a journalist during the final phase of the conflict in Sri Lanka. Indraguptha holds master’s degrees in political science, international human rights law, and molecular biology.
Sudan
Mohamed Dahab | Regional Director, The Stirling Foundation
Mohamed Dahab, an international aid and development executive, serves as the Regional Director for The Stirling Foundation, overseeing activities in the Middle East and parts of Africa. Born in Belgrade, former Yugoslavia, and raised in Yugoslavia, Malaysia, Sudan, the U.S., and Switzerland, he holds a B.A. in International Trade from the University of Geneva and an M.A. in International Humanitarian Action from Fordham University. His career spans emergency humanitarian interventions and developmental projects. Dahab is also the Founder and President of the Elevate Organization, a renowned NGO implementing sustainable development projects and humanitarian activities across Sudan. He is married with no children.
Salah Hammad | Head of the AGA-APSA Secretariat, African Union Commission
Ambassador Salah S. Hammad is the Acting Head of the African Governance Architecture and African Peace and Security Architecture (AGA-APSA) Secretariat and Senior Human Rights Expert within the Governance and Conflict Prevention Directorate of the African Union Commission’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security. Originally from Sudan, he studied political science and human rights law in the United States. Voted Ambassador for Human Rights by the Arab Council for Human Rights in 2013 and appointed an Ambassador within Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2016, Hammad has dedicated 25 years to promoting democracy, good governance, human rights, and peace and security, focusing on global development and the empowerment of youth and women across Africa.
Nureldin Satti | Retired Ambassador
Nureldin Satti, a retired Sudanese ambassador, has a distinguished career in diplomacy, focusing on promoting peace, human rights, and international cooperation.
Switzerland
Michel Veuthey | Ambassador to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, Sovereign Order of Malta
Michel Veuthey, born in Geneva, Switzerland, serves as the Ambassador to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons for the Sovereign Order of Malta. He studied law in Geneva, Munich, and The Hague. With the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), he served as Legal Adviser, Head of the Division of International Organisations, Delegate General for Europe and North America, Regional Delegate for Southern Africa (based in Pretoria), and Assistant to the President. He is an Associate Professor of Public International Law at Webster University and Deputy Permanent Observer of the Order of Malta in Geneva.
Şafak Pavey | Special Adviser, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Safak Pavey serves as a Special Adviser to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, focusing on advancing refugee protection and humanitarian initiatives through her extensive experience in human rights and international cooperation.
Tanzania
Hidaya Maulidi Dude | Country Coordinator for Interfaith and Peacebuilding, Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA)
Hidaya Maulidi Dude serves as the Country Coordinator for Interfaith and Peacebuilding at PROCMURA and as an administrative assistant with GIZ Tanzania. For nearly four years, she has worked as a trainer and project assistant with organizations like the Norwegian Church Aid and the Zanzibar Interfaith Centre, focusing on empowering youth, women, and religious leaders through peacebuilding and interfaith cooperation. She contributes to initiatives like Kimbia Bila Shaka, promoting women’s participation in movement and exercise, and Waking the Giants, training youth on Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 and 16. Passionate about volunteerism, she strives to create positive social change by building bridges across differences and fostering inclusive community engagement.
Thailand
Somboon Chungprampree | Executive Secretary, International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB)
Somboon Chungprampree, known as Moo, is a Thai social activist serving as the Executive Secretary of the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB) since 2010. His activism began as a university student focused on environmental justice. He serves on the boards of several international and national foundations, including the Sathirakoses-Nagapradipa Foundation, Spirit in Education Movement, School for Well-being Studies and Research, and Wongsanit Ashram. Chungprampree edits the Seeds of Peace journal, published biannually, and has worked since 1997 with civil society organizations empowering communities in Burma, Laos PDR, Cambodia, and Thailand.
Uganda
Nicta Lubaale Makiika | General Secretary, Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC)
Nicta Lubaale Makiika serves as the General Secretary of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), a fellowship of African Independent Churches in Africa and the diaspora. His work focuses on mobilizing member churches to address community challenges, emphasizing Africa’s resourcefulness. A major initiative under his leadership is Community Building for Food Sovereignty, working with smallholder farmers, who produce over 70% of Africa’s food, to scale up productivity.
Francis Nyakoojo | Head of Access to Justice, Uganda Christian Lawyers Fraternity
Francis Nyakoojo, an advocate of the High Court of Uganda, serves as the Head of Access to Justice at the Uganda Christian Lawyers Fraternity. With over eight years of experience, he specializes in property and land rights, public interest litigation, and enforcing freedom of religion and belief. He holds a Bachelor of Laws from Makerere University and a postgraduate diploma in legal practice from the Law Development Centre. Passionate about human rights, music, travel, and football, he is a Tottenham supporter.
United Kingdom
Hira Iftab | Founder of Our World Too
Hira Aftab is the founder of Our World Too, an organisation dedicated to re-humanising the narrative surrounding refugees and displaced communities worldwide. She is also the co-founder of The Hybrid Tours, a social enterprise specialising in combining social impact with travel. Hira is a communications expert in the humanitarian and international development sector and is currently the Communications Manager for Every Casualty Counts. She has experience working in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the UK on projects ranging from refugee support to access to justice. Hira is an ACWAY Fellow and part of the ACWAY Executive Committee. She holds two master’s degrees: an MA in International Relations from the University of Nottingham and an MSc in Humanitarianism, Conflict, and Development from the University of Bath.
Prof. Husna Ahmad OBE | Chief Executive Officer of Global One 2015
Prof. Husna Ahmad OBE is the CEO of Global One 2015, a faith-based international NGO focused on women’s issues. An Honorary Professor in Practice at UCL’s Computer Science Department and Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham’s Department of Arts and Law, she chairs the UNEP’s Faith for Earth Coalition Steering Committee and serves as Secretary General of the World Muslim Leadership Forum. Recognized with an OBE in 2010, Ahmad is a global speaker and thought leader on faith, gender, environment, and peacebuilding.
Charlotte Eksteen | Teacher of Music, Ibstock Place School
Prof. Rosalind I J Hackett | Chancellor’s Professor Emeritus at the University of Tennessee
Prof. Rosalind I.J. Hackett is Chancellor’s Professor Emeritus and Professor of Religious Studies Emeritus at the University of Tennessee, USA, and Extraordinary Professor at the Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice, University of the Western Cape, South Africa. Born and educated in the UK, she conducted extensive research in Nigeria, focusing on indigenous and minority religions, gender, art, media, religious freedom, and conflict in Africa. Her recent co-edited book is Religious Sounds Beyond the Global North (Amsterdam UP, 2024). Past President and Honorary Life Member of the International Association for the History of Religions, she is active in the African Consortium for Law and Religion Studies.
Professor Mark Hill KC | Distinguished Global Professor at The University of Notre Dame London Law Programme
Mark Hill KC is Distinguished Global Professor at the University of Notre Dame, London. In addition, he is an Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria; Visiting Professor at King’s College, London; and Adjunct Professor at Notre Dame University Law School, Sydney. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the Centre for the Study of Law and Religion, Emory University. He is Vice-President of the International Consortium for Law and Religion Studies, and a founder Board Member of the African Consortium for Law and Religion Studies. He is consultant editor of the Ecclesiastical Law Journal and a member of the editorial board of the Oxford Journal of Law and Religion. His recent publications include the fourth edition of the practitioner text Ecclesiastical Law (2018), as well as Human Dignity, Religion and the Law (2025), Islam, Religious Liberty and Constitutionalism in Europe (2024), Christianity and Criminal Law (2023), Religion, Law and Security (2018), Great Christian Jurists in English History (2017), The Confluence of Law and Religion (2016), and Magna Carta, Religion and the Rule of Law (2015). His is co-editor of the Routledge Handbook of Freedom of Religion or Belief (2020). He practises at the Bar in London and has conducted litigation concerning religious liberty in the UK Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights.
Duncan Jepson | Director of Strategy and Operations at Praeveni Global
Duncan Jepson is the Chair and Director of Strategy and Operations at Praeveni Global, an NGO focused on preventing modern slavery and exploitation. He serves as Secretary of the IF20 Human Trafficking Working Group. Previously, he founded and led Liberty Shared, an anti-human trafficking and environmental crime NGO. Jepson teaches policy and social entrepreneurship at institutions like the University of Southern California and Georgetown University. He formerly served as Head of Legal for BNY Mellon Investment Management Asia Pacific and General Counsel at ING Investment Management Asia Pacific.
Charlotte Maguirita Rook | Teacher of Music at Ibstock Place School
Rev. Dr. Lord Russell Rook OBE | Good Faith Partnership
Revd Dr. Lord Russell Rook OBE, a member of the House of Lords since January 2025, is a partner at the Good Faith Partnership, leading the RAMP Project to transform the UK’s immigration debate. He chairs Reset, a charity supporting refugee integration, and has worked with the Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative. Previously, he served as a Parliamentary Aide and advisor to Ed Miliband MP. He lives in South West London with his wife, Charlotte, and their two sons.
United States
Jeffrey Lon Adams | Area Legal Counsel at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Jeffrey Adams is currently serving as Area Legal Counsel for the Office of General Counsel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Accra, Ghana. With over three decades of legal experience, he has previously held the role of Associate Area Legal Counsel in both Ghana and the Philippines, providing legal support across a wide range of international matters. Prior to his work with the Church, Jeffrey spent 25 years as an employment and labor law attorney at Littler Mendelson P.C. in California. He holds a Juris Doctor from BYU Law School, where he was an editor for the *Journal of Public Law* and a member of the Moot Court Team, and an MBA from The University of Texas at Austin. His expertise includes employment law, international legal affairs, and class action litigation.
Dr. Brian J. Adams | Chair of A Common Word Among the Youth (ACWAY)
Dr. Brian J. Adams chairs the governing board of A Common Word Among the Youth (ACWAY), promoting youth leadership in interfaith and intercultural dialogue. The founding director of the Centre for Interfaith & Cultural Dialogue in Brisbane, Australia, and architect of the G20 Interfaith Forum, Adams has over 20 years of experience in Africa, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Fluent in French and Swahili, he holds a PhD in Political Science and master’s degrees in Community Development and Conflict Resolution.
Lloyd E. Allen | Area Legal Counsel at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Lloyd E. Allen serves as Area Legal Counsel for the Africa South Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, managing legal affairs across 14 countries, including South Africa and Angola. Based in Johannesburg, he has extensive experience in American jurisprudence, specializing in corporate and commercial transactions.
Anne Simmons-Benton | Co-head, US Delegation to the W20
Ms. Anne Simmons-Benton is a senior international leader and attorney with more than 30 years of experience in government, private sector, and academia. She has worked in over 32 countries, managing and leading complex international priorities for the US.
Anne is currently the Chair of the Board of the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA), the Co-Head of the US Delegation to the Women20 (W20), the Deputy Chair for the Society for International Development – US and a Board Member for the Mines Advisory Group – US.
Anne earned her BS in foreign service from the Georgetown University Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and her JD from Antioch School of Law (DC). She holds a Change Management Advanced Practitioner (CMAP) Certificate from the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business. Anne and her husband, Jonathan Benton, have three adult children and four grandchildren.
Dr. Frederick W. Axelgard | Director of Special Projects at the G20 Interfaith Forum Association
Dr. Frederick W. Axelgard is the Director of Special Projects for the G20 Interfaith Forum Association, focusing on the anti-human trafficking working group and serving on the board of Praeveni Global. Prior to retirement, he worked at the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Senate, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and General Dynamics Corp. in Washington, DC.
Mohamed Bahr | Head of Strategic Planning at the Muslim Council of Elders
Mohamed Bahr is the Head of Strategic Planning at the Muslim Council of Elders, with over 20 years of management consultancy experience. Specializing in corporate strategy, organizational efficiency, and change management, he now focuses on social impact, collaborating with foundations and NGOs to drive meaningful change and community development.
Luisa Banchoff | Researcher and Report Writer at the World Faiths Development Dialogue
Luisa Banchoff is a researcher and report writer at the World Faiths Development Dialogue, working on strategic religious engagement funded by the Templeton Religions Trust. Her research focuses on Catholic Sisters’ contributions to peacebuilding and faith-linked development in sub-Saharan Africa. She has authored briefs for the G20 Interfaith Forum on hunger, human trafficking, and deforestation.
Dr. Deus Bazira | Director and Associate Professor at Georgetown University Global Health Institute
Dr. Deus Bazira, Director of Georgetown University’s Global Health Institute and Center for Global Health Practice and Impact, is an Associate Professor of Medicine with 28 years of global health experience. His work focuses on health systems resilience, implementation science, and private sector roles in health economies. Bazira co-chairs the Georgetown–Lancet Commission on Faith, Trust, and Health and holds a DrPH, MPH, MBA, and BPharm.
Rev. Dr. David Beckmann | Circle of Protection
Rev. Dr. David Beckmann was awarded the World Food Prize for his contribution to the reduction of hunger through public-policy advocacy. He serves as Coordinator of the Circle of Protection (circleofprotection.us), an ecumenical coalition of church bodies and Christian organizations that include 100 million people. Together, they urge the U.S. president and Congress to fund effective programs to reduce poverty in the U.S. and worldwide. He is also president emeritus of Bread for the World (bread.org) and the Alliance to End Hunger (alliancetoendhunger.og). Bread for the World is a grassroots Christian advocacy movement, while the Alliance includes diverse organizations of all faiths and no faith. David is also Dean’s Advisor for Political and Economic Justice at Virginia Theological Seminary.
Golan Benoni | Global CIO IDT
Golan Ben-Oni serves as the dynamic Global Chief Information Officer across a diverse portfolio of NYSE-listed firms, including telecom pioneer IDT Corporation (IDT), energy innovator Genie Energy (GNE), clinical-stage biotech Rafael Holdings (RFL), digital content platform Zedge (ZDGE), and media leader IDW Media. Spanning Telecom, Finance, Energy, Pharmaceuticals, Education, and Entertainment, Golan’s remit encompasses enterprise-wide IT transformation and strategic innovation.
Stuart Bird | Communications Student Team Member at the G20 Interfaith Forum Association
Stuart Bird is a student communications team member at the G20 Interfaith Forum Association. Studying economics with a minor in healthcare leadership at Brigham Young University, he enjoys skiing, hiking, and running.
Tracie Cayford Cudworth | Senior Editor/Producer at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Church Newsroom
Tracie Cayford Cudworth is an experienced writer, editor, and award-winning journalist. She currently serves as a senior editor and producer for Church Newsroom, the official news website for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tracie is also an adjunct faculty member at the School of Communications at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She spent over 15 years working as a broadcast journalist at radio and television stations in the Salt Lake City area. Additionally, Tracie worked for more than 16 years at the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development. She served as the deputy director of the Utah Office of Tourism for over seven years. Tracie earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communications from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She lives in South Jordan with her husband, and they are parents to three adult children.
Kenneth Chiara | Event Videographer at Kenneth Chiara Media, LLC
Kenneth Chiara, with five years of professional experience in event, corporate, and broadcast videography, is the owner of Kenneth Chiara Media, LLC. He specializes in capturing the essence of events, creating engaging video content that tells meaningful stories and resonates with audiences.
Bani Dugal | Principal Representative of the Bahá’í International Community
Bani Dugal is the Principal Representative of the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations. A co-president of Religions for Peace and board member of the InterFaith Alliance for Safer Communities, she has held leadership roles in numerous NGO committees, including on freedom of religion and women’s status. Dugal holds a Master of Laws in Environmental Law from Pace University and a law degree from the University of Delhi.
Elissa McConkie Gifford | Director of Global Field Operations at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Elissa McConkie Gifford is the Director of Field Operations for the Welfare Self-Reliance Services Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her team supports humanitarian and self-reliance efforts globally, focusing on health, education, and livelihoods. Previously, she coordinated Church assistance for refugees and internally displaced persons and worked 13 years at the International Rescue Committee. Gifford holds a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of International Management.
Prof. Katherine Marshall | Vice President of the G20 Interfaith Forum Association
Katherine Marshall has worked for almost four decades on international development, with a focus on issues facing the world’s poorest countries. She is a senior fellow at Georgetown’s Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs and Professor of the Practice of Development, Conflict, and Religion in the School of Foreign Service. Her long career with the World Bank (1971-2006) involved a wide range of leadership assignments, many focused on Africa. From 2000-2006 her mandate covered ethics, values, and faith in development work,as counselor to the World Bank’s President. She was Country Director in the World Bank’s Africa region, first for the Sahel region, then Southern Africa. She then led the Bank’s work on social policy and governance during the East Asia crisis years. She worked extensively on Eastern Africa and Latin America. As a long time manager she was involved in many task forces and issues, among them exercises addressing leadership issues, conflict resolution, the role of women, and issues for values and ethics.
Ms. Marshall has been closely engaged in the creation and development of the World Faiths Development Dialogue (WFDD) and is its Executive Director. She serves or has served on the Boards of several NGOs and advisory groups, including AVINA Americas, the Niwano Peace Prize International Selection Committee, and the Opus Prize Foundation. She is a board member of IDEA (International Development Ethics Association) and the International Anti-Corruption Advisory Conference (IACC) advisory council. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She served as a core group member of the Council of 100, an initiative of the World Economic Forum to advance understanding between the Islamic World and the West. She was a Trustee of Princeton University (2003-9). She has co-moderated the Fes Forum which is part of the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music since its inception. She speaks and publishes widely on issues for international development.
Ms. Marshall’s daughter is a physician doing her residency at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, following service in the Peace Corps. Her son recently completed an assignment with Americorps and is taking courses in computer science.
Martine Miller | President of the International Center for Religion & Diplomacy
Martine Miller, President of the International Center for Religion & Diplomacy, is a globally respected conflict transformation specialist with over 20 years of experience in more than 80 countries. From Libya and Sudan to Afghanistan and Myanmar, she has worked alongside communities, governments, and multilateral agencies—including the UN, African Union, and ASEAN—supporting early warning systems, negotiations, national dialogues, and post-conflict recovery.
Timothy P. Stratford | General Counsel of the G20 Interfaith Forum Association
Timothy P. Stratford serves as General Counsel for the G20 Interfaith Forum Association and Senior Counsel at Covington & Burling LLP. A former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for China Affairs and Minister-Counselor for Commercial Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, he chaired the American Chamber of Commerce in China three times. With over 40 years in the greater China region, Stratford, fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese, holds degrees from Brigham Young University and Harvard Law School.
Christina Tobias-Nahi | Director of Public Affairs, Research & Advocacy for Islamic Relief USA
Christina Tobias-Nahi is the Director of Public Affairs, Research and Advocacy at Islamic Relief USA since 2016. She holds two Masters, from Harvard Graduate School of Education and Boston University-Paris in International Relations. She additionally possesses an executive certificate in Community-Based Development, Colorado State University and another in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
Chris Yadon | Chief Impact Officer at The Derek and Shelaine Maxfield Family Foundation
Chris Yadon serves as Chief Impact Officer for The Derek and Shelaine Maxfield Family Foundation and Managing Director of Saprea, focusing on child sexual abuse prevention and healing. His work drives systemic change through initiatives addressing emotional numbing and societal transformation, with writings on these topics.
Noel Lance | Fellow at the BYU International Center for Law and Religion Studies
Noel Lance, a law student at Brigham Young University’s JD/MAcc program, is a fellow at the International Center for Law and Religion Studies. Passionate about religious freedom, tax law, and estate planning, he served a two-year mission in Brazil for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Lance enjoys music, cycling, skiing, and spending time with his wife.
Nicole Stirling | Vice President and Chief Relations Officer at The Stirling Foundation
Nicole Stirling is a founding board member, Vice President, and Chief Relations Officer at The Stirling Foundation. She also serves as President of an IT consulting firm in Houston, developing software solutions for global industries. Stirling has worked with nonprofit organizations, including a multinational group, and collaborated with Richard B. Wirthlin, former strategist for President Ronald Reagan. She and her husband, Bryant, have three children and one grandson.
Nihal Saad
Rabbi David Saperstein | Senior Advisor on Strategy and Policy at the Union for Reform Judaism
Rabbi David Saperstein, Director Emeritus of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, served as the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom (2014–2017). He was President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (2019–2020) and taught church-state law at Georgetown University for 35 years. Saperstein has chaired national interreligious coalitions and federal commissions on human trafficking and religious freedom.
Rachel Miner | Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bellwether International
Rachel Miner is the founder and CEO of Bellwether International, a nonprofit focused on preventing genocide and mass atrocities. With degrees in economics from Brigham Young University and master’s degrees from the London School of Economics and Columbia University, she was named a 2021 U.S. Truman Scholar. Her research on genocide prevention appears in journals like the Journal of Economics, Management, and Religion, and she contributes to outlets such as Deseret News and Newsweek.
Allyson Egbert | President of the Las Vegas Alliance for Religious Freedom and Human Dignity
Allyson Egbert was born in Sunnyvale, California. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from BYU, served as an ASBYU vice president from 1982–83, and toured several years with the BYU Folk Dancers. Allyson is currently an early morning seminary instructor. Martin and Allyson have six children who have all attended BYU.
Martin Egbert | Representative at Allymar LLC
Martin Egbert was raised in Chicago and is a managing partner of Nevada West Partners, a Las Vegas-based multifamily development and management group. He has also been involved in self-storage, single family, and/or multifamily development in California, Chicago, Boston, Texas, Utah, and Las Vegas. Martin earned his bachelor’s degree and MBA from BYU. He is also a member of the advisory board of the Ponseti International Association for the Treatment of Congenital Clubfoot at the University of Iowa. Since 1999, the Ponseti method has become the mainstream initial method of treatment for children born with congenital clubfoot throughout the world. Martin and Allyson have six children who have all attended BYU.
Sarah Eyring | Director of International Exchanges at The Stirling Foundation
Sarah Eyring, Director of International Exchanges at The Stirling Foundation, holds a Master of Public Administration from Brigham Young University, specializing in nonprofit management. With three years of experience as a project manager and director, she previously studied journalism and contributes to the Foundation’s global initiatives.
Prof. Hannah Smith | Associate Director of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies
Prof. Hannah Smith is an Associate Director at the International Center for Law and Religion Studies at Brigham Young University Law School. With a BA from Princeton University and a JD from BYU Law School, she served as Executive Editor of the Law Review and clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. Smith, a recipient of BYU’s Alumni Achievement Award and the Women-in-Law Leadership Award, secured four U.S. Supreme Court victories at Becket Law. She serves on boards for the Religious Freedom Institute and the International Religious Freedom Summit.
Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi | Executive Director of the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers
Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi is the Executive Director of the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, connecting grassroots peacebuilders with global partners. A Commissioner on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, he founded Faiths4Vaccines and co-chairs the UN Multifaith Advisory Council. Previously, he served at the Islamic Society of North America and the U.S. Department of State’s Religion and Foreign Policy Taskforce. Elsanousi holds a PhD in Law and Society from Indiana University, a Master of Laws, and a bachelor’s in Shariah and Law.
Landon Sikahema | Representative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Son of Vai Sikahema
Jeffrey Lon Adams | Area Legal Counsel at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Jeffrey Adams is currently serving as Area Legal Counsel for the Office of General Counsel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Accra, Ghana. With over three decades of legal experience, he has previously held the role of Associate Area Legal Counsel in both Ghana and the Philippines, providing legal support across a wide range of international matters. Prior to his work with the Church, Jeffrey spent 25 years as an employment and labor law attorney at Littler Mendelson P.C. in California. He holds a Juris Doctor from BYU Law School, where he was an editor for the *Journal of Public Law* and a member of the Moot Court Team, and an MBA from The University of Texas at Austin. His expertise includes employment law, international legal affairs, and class action litigation.
Merah Hancock | Researcher at the BYU International Center for Law and Religion Studies
Merah Hancock, a law student at Brigham Young University, works as a researcher for the International Center for Law and Religion Studies, promoting global religious freedom. With a bachelor’s in International Studies, focusing on peace and conflict, she is passionate about fostering peace and tolerance. Hancock plans to pursue a career in environmental law to advocate for the Earth and underserved communities.
Leifur Christianson | Student at Stanford University
Leifur Christianson is an undergraduate economics student at Stanford University, interested in the intersection of law, religion, and public policy. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in California, working with the Armenian community. Christianson enjoys tennis and studying Armenian.
Miles Hansen | President and Chief Executive Officer of The Stirling Foundation
Miles Hansen is the President, CEO, and board director of The Stirling Foundation, a global philanthropic organization operating in 50 countries. Formerly President and CEO of World Trade Center Utah, he served in the Trump Administration as Director of Gulf Affairs on the National Security Council and as a diplomat in the Middle East and Eurasia. Hansen, a frequent commentator on foreign affairs, holds degrees from Johns Hopkins University and Brigham Young University and chairs the Salt Lake City 2034 Winter Olympics International Committee.
Jessica Roland | Senior Specialist for Inclusive Peace at the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers
Jessica Roland is the Senior Specialist for Inclusive Peace at the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, managing advocacy, research, and training to advance women, youth, and marginalized groups’ leadership. She oversees the Network’s inclusivity-based community of practice and mediation-focused initiatives.
Anastasia L. Jespersen | Treasurer and Program Vice-Chair of the G20 Interfaith Forum Association
Anastasia L. Jespersen is Treasurer, Program Committee Vice Chair, and Environment Liaison with the G20 Interfaith Forum Association, an international, multi-faith organization focused on developing policy and creating networks to address global issues. In addition to serving as a member of the San Juan County, Washington Climate and Sustainability Advisory Committee, she is an Alumni Board Class Representative for the Romney Institute of Public Service and Ethics at Brigham Young University.
Paul S. Jesperson | Co-CEO and Co-Founder of PRE Security
AI Native Cybersecurity SecOps | Founder & CEO PRE Security
Prof. W. Cole Durham Jr. | President of the G20 Interfaith Forum Association
Prof. W. Cole Durham Jr. is the President of the G20 Interfaith Forum Association and Susa Young Gates University Professor of Law at Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School, where he founded the International Center for Law and Religion Studies. A Harvard College and Law School graduate, he is a founding Editor-in-Chief of the Oxford Journal of Law and Religion and an Associate Member of the International Academy of Comparative Law, with extensive work in comparative constitutional law and religion.
Dr. Sherrie M. Steiner | Associate Professor of Sociology at Purdue University Fort Wayne
Dr. Sherrie M. Steiner, Historian for the G20 Interfaith Forum, is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Purdue University Fort Wayne, specializing in social change, environmental sociology, and sociology of religion. Her publications include Religious Soft Diplomacy and the United Nations (2021) and Moral Pressure for Responsible Globalization (2018), with a forthcoming volume co-edited with James T. Christie.
Rev. Susan Hayward | Research Fellow at Georgetown University’s Berkley Center
Rev. Susan Hayward, a Research Fellow at Georgetown University’s Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, focuses on religion, gender, human rights, and peacebuilding in South and Southeast Asia. She serves as Minister of Justice and Formation at Creekside UCC in Minneapolis and advises organizations like the Templeton Religion Trust and Churches for Middle East Peace. Previously, she worked at Harvard Divinity School and the U.S. Institute of Peace.
James Patton | Founding Partner at Lead Integrity
James Patton, a Founding Partner at Lead Integrity, is a subject matter expert on international conflict transformation and reconciliation, with 25 years of experience across 40 countries. His work includes training Colombian women of faith on reconciliation, facilitating Cambodian Buddhists’ post-conflict stability, and supporting Saudi educational reforms. Patton serves as a Senior Fellow at the Rumi Forum and Faculty Advisor at Brigham Young University’s Wheatley Institute.
Doug Fountain | Executive Director of Christian Connections for International Health
Doug Fountain is the Executive Director of Christian Connections for International Health, a network of 125 organizations promoting health in 90 low- and middle-income countries. With experience in Africa, South Asia, and Latin America, he founded the Christian Health Asset Mapping Consortium and the Christian Journal for Global Health. Fountain serves on the Anglican Health and Communities Network and holds an MPA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Andrea Kaufmann | Director of Faith and External Engagement at World Vision International
Andrea Kaufmann is the Director of Faith and External Engagement at World Vision International, with over two decades of experience in international development and advocacy. She convenes the Faith Action for Children on the Move network and serves on the Joint Learning Initiative for Faith and Local Communities’ Executive Committee. Kaufmann is passionate about evidence-based faith contributions to child wellbeing.
Dr. Deus Bazira | Director and Associate Professor at Georgetown University Global Health Institute
Dr. Deus Bazira, Director of Georgetown University’s Global Health Institute and Center for Global Health Practice and Impact, is an Associate Professor of Medicine with 28 years of global health experience. His work focuses on health systems resilience, implementation science, and private sector roles in health economies. Bazira co-chairs the Georgetown–Lancet Commission on Faith, Trust, and Health and holds a DrPH, MPH, MBA, and BPharm.
Prof. Rabbi Richard Marker | Past Chair of the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations
Rabbi Richard Marker, with over four decades of interreligious leadership, has chaired the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations and the Elijah Board of World Religious Leaders. A faculty member at Brown, Loyola, NYU, and UPenn, he co-founded the Catholic Jewish Scholars Dialogue of Chicago and serves on the UN Task Force for World Interfaith Harmony Week. Marker is the founder of the Institute for Wise Philanthropy.
Prof. Jose Casanova | Emeritus Professor of Sociology, Theology, and Religious Studies at Georgetown University
Prof. Jose Casanova, born in Zaragoza, Spain, is an Emeritus Professor of Sociology, Theology, and Religious Studies at Georgetown University and a Senior Fellow at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs. With a PhD in Sociology from the New School for Social Research, he authored Public Religions in the Modern World (1994) and co-edited books on globalization, religion, and Catholicism. His work explores global religions and secular dynamics.
Whitney Clayton | Executive Director of the G20 Interfaith Forum Association
Whitney Clayton serves as the Executive Director of the G20 Interfaith Forum Association. With a career leading U.S.-China business transactions, he founded international offices, led equity raises, and built product lines with major retailers. Most recently, he founded an LMS software business for youth athletics and served as General Manager of a business jet manufacturer in China. Fluent in Mandarin, Clayton holds a JD and MBA from Columbia University.
Brayden Walters | Representative at the G20 Interfaith Forum
Dr. Marianna Richardson | Director of Communications at the G20 Interfaith Forum Association
Dr. Marianna Richardson is the Director of Communications for the G20 Interfaith Forum Association and an adjunct professor at Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Business. Awarded the Wendy C. Archibald Meritorious Service Award and the Outstanding Adjunct Teaching Award, she serves on the International Advisory Council for the International Center for Law and Religious Studies. Richardson holds a master’s from Johns Hopkins University, a doctorate from Seattle Pacific University, and a law degree from BYU.
Dr. Stephen D. Richardson | Associate Professor of Computer Science at Brigham Young University
Steve Richardson received B.S. and M.A. degrees in Computer Science and Linguistics from BYU and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the City University of New York. Prior to joining the BYU CS faculty in November 2021, he was the manager of machine translation at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he worked for ten years. Before that, he completed a 3-year mission assignment in Brazil, 17 years at Microsoft Research as a Principal and Partner Researcher and manager of the Machine Translation Group, and 11 years at IBM working in NLP, including at the TJ Watson Research Center.
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli | President and Chief Executive Officer of the ONE Campaign
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli is the President and CEO of the ONE Campaign, with over 25 years of international development experience. She founded LEAP Africa and African Food Changemakers, supporting African entrepreneurs, and co-founded Sahel Consulting Agriculture & Nutrition Ltd. and AACE Foods. A board member of the Rockefeller Foundation and a TED speaker, Nwuneli holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a degree from the Wharton School. She is a published author on social innovation and agriculture in Africa.
His Excellency Ambassador Michael P. Murphy | Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Sovereign Order of Malta
Ambassador Michael P. Murphy is the Sovereign Order of Malta’s Ambassador to Lesotho and Permanent Representative to the African Union. A U.S. Army veteran, he has secured bilateral treaties advancing health, development, and multifaith collaboration across Africa. Fluent in English and French, Murphy facilitates high-level engagements between African stakeholders and U.S. officials, fostering humanitarian partnerships and interfaith dialogue.
Brad Cooper | Communications Specialist at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Brad Cooper, a retired certified public accountant and senior healthcare executive, serves as a voluntary communications specialist for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Africa South Area. He is committed to strengthening interfaith relations and religious freedoms alongside his wife, Teri.
Teri Cooper | Communications Specialist at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Teri Cooper, a Registered Dietitian and mother of five, serves as a voluntary communications specialist for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Africa South Area. She is dedicated to promoting interfaith relations and religious freedoms alongside her husband, Brad.
Angela Nielsen Redding | Executive Director of the Radiant Foundation
Angela Nielsen Redding is the Executive Director of the Radiant Foundation, promoting accurate faith representation in media. Previously, she led innovation and partnerships at a Ford Motor Company technology subsidiary and founded a media innovation trade association. With decades of nonprofit and consulting experience, Redding has led church youth groups and engaged in interfaith and media relations.
Imam Dr. Talib Shareef | President of Masjid Muhammad, The Nation’s Mosque
Imam Dr. Talib M. Shareef is the President and Imam of Masjid Muhammad, The Nation’s Mosque in Washington, DC, and President of the International Coalition for Peace and Reconciliation. A retired U.S. Air Force member, he holds a doctorate from Global Oved Dei Seminary University and a diploma from Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University. Recognized by four U.S. Presidents and awarded Morocco’s highest Royal Medal, Shareef has spoken globally on interfaith peacebuilding and religious freedom.
Sara Rahim | Program Manager at the SHRM Foundation
Sara Rahim is a Manager at the SHRM Foundation, where she works to create inclusive, thriving workplaces. With a decade of experience in project management and network cultivation, Sara has designed and led initiatives across health equity, workforce development, workplace inclusion, and interfaith/intercultural engagement. Previously, Sara served on the Workplace Innovation team at Interfaith America, where she ran programs and fellowships that promoted religious inclusion across business and healthcare. She has also spearheaded workforce development programs engaging over 50 national nonprofits and employment social enterprises, helping them achieve greater reach, job placement, and retention outcomes.
Sara has addressed global platforms on the role of interfaith action, including the White House, the United Nations, and G20 Interfaith Forums. She has been recognized as a Global Shaper by the World Economic Forum, and has served as a United Nations Youth Representative for the Parliament of the World’s Religions. Sara has held leadership roles within A Common Word Among the Youth (ACWAY), the global youth partner of the G20 Interfaith Forum, and has designed capacity-building programs for interfaith leaders in Sudan, Azerbaijan, and Italy. She holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Chicago.
Sibu Szymanowska | Co-Founder of The Hybrid Tours
Sibu Szymanowska is a global citizen with a background in economics, international conflict and intercultural dialogue. Having lived in eight countries and worked across Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas, she focuses on building bridges between cultures through responsible travel and humanitarian approaches. As the co-founder of The Hybrid Tours, she integrates refugee support and decolonial narratives into immersive travel experiences, aiming to create meaningful connections while challenging stereotypes. Sibu is passionate about fostering understanding across faiths and identities, and she believes that intercultural exchanges can be a powerful tool for peacebuilding and solidarity.
Eric LeCompte | Executive Director of Jubilee USA Network
Eric LeCompte is the Executive Director of Jubilee USA Network, an interfaith organization addressing poverty’s root causes. A UN and finance expert, he advises religious institutions on economic policies and speaks at global decision-making fora to promote equitable development.
Dr. Brian J. Adams | Chair of A Common Word Among the Youth (ACWAY)
Dr. Brian J. Adams chairs the governing board of A Common Word Among the Youth (ACWAY), promoting youth leadership in interfaith and intercultural dialogue. The founding director of the Centre for Interfaith & Cultural Dialogue in Brisbane, Australia, and architect of the G20 Interfaith Forum, Adams has over 20 years of experience in Africa, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Fluent in French and Swahili, he holds a PhD in Political Science and master’s degrees in Community Development and Conflict Resolution.
Prof. Medlir Mema | Head of the AI Governance Programme at the Global Governance Institute
Prof. Medlir Mema heads the AI Governance Programme at the Global Governance Institute in Brussels and is a Professor of International Relations at Brigham Young University-Idaho. Co-founder of the Age of AI podcast, he oversees the Organized Intelligence programme at Faith Matters, addressing AI governance and its impact on religious communities. Mema holds a PhD in Political Science from George Washington University and an MA from Johns Hopkins University.
Jabari Khalid Smith | Associate Director of International Admissions at Miss Hall’s School
Jabari Khalid Smith, a Howard University graduate from New Orleans, is the Associate Director of International Admissions at Miss Hall’s School, an all-girls boarding school in Massachusetts. He founded Jabari Inspires, hosted a TV show in Kenya, and led U.S. Department of State fellowships. With experience in Japan, Ecuador, Colombia, and Slovenia, Smith is passionate about empowering youth through global education and service learning.
Manisha Jain | Distinguished Engineer Microsoft
Manisha Jain has spent the last decade to the field of AI/ML and Generative AI. Her experience spans major technology companies including Google, Meta, and most recently, Microsoft. She has contributed to significant projects such as Gmail Smart Reply and Google Translate, as well as Meta Research and Azure AI. Through these roles, she has witnessed firsthand both the immense power and inherent risks associated with AI/ML. Manisha is a strong proponent of safety and regulations forming guardrails and best practices for generative AI. Additionally vital is the role of communities and human interactions as we transition into the Generative AI era.
Dallin Jenkins | Communications Student Team Member at the G20 Interfaith Forum Association
Dallin Jenkins is a senior at Brigham Young University studying finance with an emphasize in real estate. Originally from California, he spent two years in Romania serving a church service mission and has lived in Utah for the past three years while pursuing his degree. He is in his second year of working on the communications team for IF20.
Audrey Kitagawa | President and Founder of the International Academy for Multicultural Cooperation
Audrey E. Kitagawa, JD, is the President and Founder of the International Academy for Multicultural Cooperation and President of the Light of Awareness International Spiritual Family. A United Nations Representative for the United Religions Initiative, she served as Advisor to the UN Office of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict. Enstooled as the Nekoso Hemaa (Queen Mother of Development) in Ajiyamanti, Ghana, she has authored chapters on multiculturalism and spirituality. Kitagawa received the Spirit of the UN Award and the Medal “Pride of Eurasia” for her contributions to spiritual culture.
Michael Frandsen | Associate Director of Interfaith Relations, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Michael Frandsen serves as Associate Director of Interfaith Relations for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With nearly 30 years in public affairs and corporate communications, he has worked for Fortune 500 companies like CIGNA, Rio Tinto, and eBay. He holds master’s degrees in Comparative Politics from The Ohio State University and Journalism from Boston University, and a bachelor’s in International Relations from Brigham Young University. He and his wife, Dolores, have four children and seven grandchildren.
Imam Rashad Abdul-Rahmaan | Dir, Institute of Qur'an Study and Leadership, International Coalition for Peace and Reconciliation (I-CPR)
Rashad Abdul-Rahmaan is a student of the late Muslim American leader, Imam W. Deen Mohammed, and founder and director of the Institute of Qur’an Study and Leadersip. He is a leading member of the International Coalition for Peace and Reconciliation, He has studied Usul ud-Deen, Qur’anic Sciences, Hadith Sciences, Qira’at, Comparative Religious Studies, and Philosophy. He serves as an Associate Imam at Masjid Muhammad, The Nation’s Mosque in Washington, DC.
Sam Worthington | Senior Fellow Forus
As an executive, diplomat, and spokesperson, Sam Worthington has shaped the impact of U.S.-based international NGOs on global development and humanitarian action. A leader in global civil society, he brings experience as a CEO, board member, strategic advisor, mentor, and humanitarian expert. He currently serves as a Senior Fellow at Forus, a Paris-based network representing 26,000 civil society organizations.
Uzbekistan
Dr. Astanakulov Olim | Vice-Rector for International Cooperation at the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan
Dr. Astanakulov Olim is the Vice-Rector for International Cooperation at the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan, fostering global academic and cultural partnerships.
Ruslanbek Davletov | Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Ruslanbek Davletov serves as Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan on Social-Political, Religious-Educational, and Youth Affairs. A former Minister of Justice (2017–2022), he graduated from the University of Warwick, the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, Tashkent State University of Economics, and the Academy of State and Society Building.
Zambia
Chilufya Chileshe | Chief Operating Officer, SDG2 Advocacy Hub
Chilufya Chileshe, with over two decades of experience in civil society and global advocacy, serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the SDG2 Advocacy Hub, a global network focused on ending hunger and transforming food systems. She has held senior roles at WaterAid, leading global policy and regional advocacy, and served as Board Chair of the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa. Her career began at the Jesuit Center for Theological Reflection, and she remains committed to citizen participation, institutional strengthening, and inclusive development.
Rev. Fr. Charles Chilufya | Director of the Jesuit Conference of Africa - Justice and Ecology
Rev. Fr. Charles Chilufya, S.J., a Jesuit priest, recently concluded his term as Director of the Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network – Africa, advocating for debt justice, global financial reform, and health equity. His work amplifies African perspectives in G20, UN, and global development fora, with a focus on eliminating cervical cancer, hunger, and climate justice. Chilufya holds degrees in international development, philosophy, and theology.
Maria Daka | Member of A Common Word Among the Youth (ACWAY)
Maria Daka, a qualified lawyer, is a multifaceted professional focusing on peace, security, and conflict resolution. A member of A Common Word Among the Youth (ACWAY), she advocates for poverty reduction, climate change, and women’s empowerment through interfaith dialogue and community initiatives. Daka has held national and international roles and received the ACWAY Community Activism Award for her dedication to social development.
Sr. Kayula Lesa | Director of Talitha Kum Zambia
Sr. Kayula Lesa, a Religious Sister of Charity, is the Director of Talitha Kum Zambia. With 23 years of experience in social justice, she holds a Master of Science in Development Studies from SOAS, University of London, and a BA in Education from the University of Zambia. Previously with Jesuit Refugee Service and the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection, she served on the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (2014–2022), focusing on anti-human trafficking and child protection.
Amanda Khozi Mukwashi | UN Resident Coordinator, United Nations
Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, with over 30 years of experience across public, intergovernmental, and non-governmental sectors, serves as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Kingdom of Lesotho. She previously held the position of Chief Executive Officer of Christian Aid, overseeing development and humanitarian operations in over 30 countries. Her leadership roles include Chief of Knowledge, Innovation and Advisory Services at the United Nations Volunteer Programme, Director of Policy at VSO International, and establishing the Federation of Women in Business in Eastern and Southern Africa at COMESA. Mukwashi has served as a trustee for the UK Disaster Emergency Committee, BOND network, Demos Think Tank, and as President of Akina Mama wa Afrika. She holds a Master’s degree in International Economic Law from the University of Warwick and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Zambia.
Sr. Juunza C. Mwangani | Projects Manager at the Sisters of the Holy Spirit
Sr. Juunza Christabel Mwangani, a Religious Sister of the Holy Spirit, is a Projects Manager coordinating developmental and social entrepreneurial activities for her congregation. With a Bachelor of Business Administration, she has managed a referral hospital for 17 years and leads initiatives for food security and economic empowerment for women-headed families through the Sisters’ Blended Value Project.
Zimbabwe
H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira | President of the Pan African Parliament
Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the Pan African Parliament since 2022, has over 20 years of experience as a Member of Parliament in Zimbabwe and the Pan African Parliament. Holding a Master’s in Consulting and Coaching for Change from INSEAD/Harvard and an MBA from the University of Zimbabwe, he is an expert in institutional change and leadership development, having worked with the World Bank, Price Waterhouse Coopers, and KPMG across Eastern and Southern Africa.
Sr. Diana Kanyere | National Coordinator of Talitha Kum Zimbabwe
Sr. Diana Kanyere, a Religious Sister of the Little Children of the Blessed Lady, is the National Coordinator of Talitha Kum Zimbabwe. A social worker and lecturer, she facilitates anti-human trafficking initiatives, economic empowerment for women, and environmental sustainability projects like tree planting and community gardens. Kanyere also promotes health, wellbeing, and girl child empowerment, striving for an equitable society. Sr. Kanyere is a holder of a Masters degree in Social Work and a lecturer at Midlands State University in Zimbabwe.
Takunda Archibald Machiri | Procurement Manager, Faith Hope Love Communities
Takunda Archibald Machiri is a member of Faith Hope Love Communities, dedicated to fostering interfaith dialogue, understanding, and social cohesion. Passionate about promoting peace and collaboration among diverse religious groups, he actively participates in initiatives addressing global challenges such as inequality, conflict, and environmental sustainability. His work aims to build bridges of trust and shared values, believing that faith-based cooperation is essential for a harmonious and inclusive world. His commitment has inspired many, contributing to mutual respect and understanding across communities.
Tawanda Langton Mandimutsira | Youth Officer at Chiedza Community Welfare Trust
Tawanda Langton Mandimutsira, a 29-year-old from Nyanga, Zimbabwe, is a Youth Officer at Chiedza Community Welfare Trust. Holding a bachelor’s in international marketing and a master’s in Strategic and International Marketing, he is passionate about empowering young people to succeed through community initiatives.
Rev. Fr. Kudzaishe Alois Manenji | Anglican Priest at the Anglican Church of Canada
Rev. Fr. Kudzaishe Alois Manenji is the Rector of the Anglican Parish of Forteau in the Diocese of Western Newfoundland, Anglican Church of Canada. A lecturer at the National Anglican Theological Seminary, he focuses on youth ministry, practical theology, and inter-religious dialogue. Author of 7 Keys to Becoming a Better Christian (2013), Manenji holds degrees in Development Studies, Economic History, and Religious Studies, with experience in humanitarian assistance and youth empowerment.
Nyasha Mukaratirwa | Regional Coordinator, United Religions Initiative (URI)
Nyasha Mukaratirwa serves as the Regional Coordinator for Southern Africa at the United Religions Initiative (URI), leading interfaith programs across multiple countries. Passionate about peacebuilding and justice, she works closely with grassroots communities to amplify the voices of local leaders, particularly women and youth. Mukaratirwa supports URI Cooperation Circles in addressing social cohesion, violence prevention, and environmental justice through interfaith collaboration. A committed pan-Africanist, she advocates for locally rooted action and promotes URI’s vision of a peaceful, just, and compassionate world through inclusive dialogue and indigenous knowledge.
Kudzanai Marshal Mutomba | Director of Youth for Peace and Development
Kudzanai Marshal Mutomba, a Zimbabwean indigenous youth, is the Director of Youth for Peace and Development, promoting inclusive communities and youth participation in peace processes. A member of the Rozvi royal council, he draws on traditional experiences to foster peace and harmony in Zimbabwe.
Dr. Gorden Simango | Director of the Liaison Office to the African Union at the All Africa Conference of Churches
Dr. Gorden Simango is the Director of the Liaison Office to the African Union and Advocacy at the All Africa Conference of Churches, based in Addis Ababa. With experience in global development policy and human rights, he previously served as Regional Representative for the Middle East and North Africa at ACT Alliance. Simango holds a Doctor of Transformational Leadership, an LLM, and degrees in Development Studies and Public Administration. His 2024 book, Finding Excellence, focuses on fostering goodwill and human flourishing.
Country
Add Text Here
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Add Text Here
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Add Text Here
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.