December 13 2021
WASHINGTON – Georgetown University hosted members of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity (HCHF)this week for a roundtable with Georgetown leadership including President John J. DeGioia and Vice President for Global Engagement Dr. Thomas Banchoff.
The discussion covered potential cooperation on youth initiatives – including the Human Fraternity Youth Summit – and the shared commitment between the HCHF and Georgetown to foster interfaith and intercultural dialogue in light of the historic Document on Human Fraternity, co-signed by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in 2019 in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and patron of human fraternity.
Georgetown – the top Catholic university in the United States – has incorporated the Document on Human Fraternity into certain courses and held conferences on the Document with the participation of HCHF members Cardinal Miguel Ayuso and Dr. Sultan Faisal Al Remeithi.
HCHF Secretary-General Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam said: “As our world faces major global challenges, knowing that the leaders of tomorrow are being taught the Document on Human Fraternity during their studies at Georgetown provides hope that the next generation of leaders will find solutions to the conflicts and crises of today.”
Judge Abdelsalam provided an overview of HCHF initiatives including the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity – a $1 million prize given to extraordinary individuals and organizations making profound contributions to human progress and peace – and the Abrahamic Family House, a first-of-its-kind interfaith complex hosting a synagogue, church, mosque, and cultural center in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
HCHF member Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig detailed the Human Fraternity Youth Summit – scheduled for next year – which will bring together 100 young adults from around the world to inspire, empower, and train youth on becoming promoters of human fraternity in their local communities.
For her part, HCHF member Dr. Irina Bokova highlighted the HCHF’s commitment to furthering education and detailed the action plan developed with UNESCO and other international partners for incorporating the values of human fraternity into educational systems. She also discussed with Georgetown’s representatives a potential research studies program dedicated to analyzing issues and solutions relating to human fraternity.
Georgetown Vice President for Global Engagement Dr. Thomas Banchoff welcomed the dialogue between the university and the HCHF and expressed his hope that cooperation will come to fruition.
