Dr Frederik Pedersen (Dept of History) has been invited to participate in the G20 Meeting in Bologna as a member of the Inter-faith Forum
This year, the Italian Presidency of the G20 will host a thematic meetings featuring ministers, senior government officials, and civil society representatives, that will parallel the official agenda of ministerial encounters at the G20.
One of these meetings will be that of the G20 Interfaith Forum (IF20), the annual platform that brings together international scholars and opinion leaders, global interfaith activists, religious and political leaders to contribute ideas and recommendations in response to global issues. The theme of the group's meeting is "Time to Heal. Peace Among Cultures, Understanding Between Religions".
From September 12 to September 14, plenary and ministerial sessions, roundtables and workshops, will discuss priority issues (such as the role of religions in overcoming economic and gender inequality, facing the international crisis resulting from COVID-19, respecting the environment, promoting education and supporting human rights), while trying to showcase how the strength of knowledge can tackle the thorniest problems in favour of individuals or entire societies.
Dr Pedersen is an internationally recognised authority on medieval canon law who will bring a northern perspective to bear on these issues.