Events | FPCC

FPCC EVENTS

23 August 2024 - Webinar on Drivers and Barriers to Routine Immunization for Children Under Five and COVID-19 Vaccination Among Religious Communities - Religions for Peace, UNICEF and JLI are pleased to invite you to a virtual webinar that will discuss the findings and results of the Faith and Positive Change for Children, Families and Communities (FPCC) Initiative's multi-country survey, conducted across 10 countries and receiving nearly 20,000 respondents. The aim of this research was to provide in-depth insights on the drivers and barriers to routine immunization for children under five-years-old and COVID-19 vaccination among religious communities in Brazil, Kenya, and Pakistan. "Drivers and Barriers to Routine Immunization for Children Under Five and COVID-19 Vaccination Among Religious Communities" will take place on Friday, 23 August 2024 between 9:00 am - 10:30 am EST.

21 - 25 July 2024 - Nepal Mind and Heart Dialogue Training More details to come

26 - 27 March 2024 - Multi-Faith High-Level Forum: Advancing Positive Outcomes for Children, Families, and Communities, 777 United Nations Plaza, Conference Room, Second Floor, New York City, New York The Multi-Faith High-Level Forum, convened by Religions for Peace, took place from 26-27 March 2024 at the Church Centre for the United Nations in New York City. Seventy-two participants attended in person, six virtually, and an additional 36 children sent video messages to the Forum.

This Forum aimed to provide a platform for various stakeholders to reflect, share experiences, and develop actionable recommendations on the role of faith in advancing shared well-being and addressing emerging challenges faced by children, families, and communities worldwide.

The Forum was hosted by Dr. Francis Kuria, Secretary General, Religions for Peace, along with Dr. Kezevino Aram, President, Shanti Ashram and Co-Moderator, Religions for Peace; and H.E. Metropolitan Emmanuel, Elder Metropolitan of Chalcedon, Co-Moderator, Religions for Peace. High-level representation included Ms. Anurita Bains, Deputy Director Programmes (a.i.), UNICEF, who attended in person; and H.E. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO, and H.E. Filippo Grandi, High Commissioner, UNHCR, who sent video messages. The list of other speakers, panelists, and participants is attached in the report. See the report here.

19 - 21 March 2024 - India, Regional Workshop for Faith-Based Organisations, Civil Society Organizations & Government Departments on Strengthening Civic Engagement for Routine Immunization & CCES. The Northeast Social and Behaviour Change Alliance, in collaboration with Assam Don Bosco University, UNICEF Assam & Northeast, Faith and Positive Change for Children, families and Communities, and Joint Learning Initiative on Faith & Local Communities convened a pioneering three-day Mind and Heart Dialogue (MHD) Regional Workshop from March 19 to 21, 2024, at Assam Don Bosco University. The primary goal of this workshop was to introduce and promote the Mind-Heart Dialogue (MHD) approach as a catalyst for positive social and behavioural change across India’s Northeastern states. The workshop brought together 29 participants, including faith-based leaders, government officials, and development partners, to build capacities, develop state-wise action plans, and foster collaboration on critical issues impacting children, families, and communities in the region. See the report here.

16 - 17 January 2024 - FPCC 5 year Stocktaking Meeting, Nairobi - As of the end of 2023, FPCC is at the 5-year stage since its inception in 2018. At this 5-year point, the main partners agreed that there was a need to gain an overview of achievements, challenges and way forward, including an analysis of strengths and weaknesses in the work so far. This anniversary marked an important moment for reflection supported by a thorough review of the partnership dynamics and lessons learned. This stocktaking process took place in the last third of 2023 and the very beginning of 2024. The objective of the stocktaking process was to:

1) document and review the progress to date.

2) examine the current state of FPCC expansion and identify opportunities to strengthen coordination and collaboration for the initiative’s next stages.

The stocktaking process had two phases. First, surveys were conducted with the institutional partners (UNICEF, Religions for Peace, JLI), other FBO partners, and individuals working on FPCC. The surveys received responses from the three main institutional partners, 4 FBO partners, and 29 individuals. The second phase was a stocktaking meeting in Nairobi on 16-17 January 2024, which brought together all the main FPCC stakeholders.

27 to 29 February 2024 - Latin America and the Caribbean, the Regional Conference with Faith Actors focusing on Increasing Demand and Uptake for Immunization and Community Engagement in Latin America, Panama City focused on increasing demand and uptake for immunization and community engagement. The conference brought together faith-based organizations and stakeholders to accelerate immunization efforts in the region, with a particular emphasis on engaging faith actors in promoting health-seeking behaviors. Outcomes and Recommendations: The conference facilitated cross-sectoral collaboration and knowledge exchange, resulting in strengthened partnerships and strategies for improving immunization coverage. Future actions should include sustained efforts to mobilize faith-based organizations and communities in advocating for immunization and promoting positive health behaviors.

27 November to 1 December 2023, Regional Mind and Heart Dialogue Training, Kathmandu Nepal. This activity was specific to South Asia and was to cover 34 participants from five countries. The training report and action plans are available as here. The ideation to conduct a regional training on the Mind-Heart-Dialogue (MHD) in the South Asian Region had been in discussion at least since early 2021. In May 2022, at the regional faith engagement forum (Kathmandu, Nepal), the regional faith engagement strategy and road map for South Asia was developed.

In October 2022, the Regional Advisory Group (RAG) for South Asia was convened virtually, and it was followed by a RAG Workshop on Faith Actors for Child Rights and Well-being, held in Colombo (Sri Lanka) between 13th and 15th August 2023. Initially it was suggested that the Regional MHD Training of Trainers (TOT) for South Asia to be limited to 05 selected countries in the region. However, at the Regional Advisory Group (RAG) Workshop held in Colombo between 13th & 15th August 2023, it was proposed to extend the regional MHD training to all 8 countries in South Asia.

As a result of the aforementioned, a Regional Training of Trainers (TOT) on Mind-Heart-Dialogue for South Asia was planned to be held at UNICEF ROSA, Kathmandu, between 27th November and 1st December 2023. 34 trainers / facilitators representing 8 countries and various faith-based-organizations (FBOs), civil society organizations (CSO), and UNICEF were selected to be a part of the regional MHD TOT. Out of the 34 selected trainers/ facilitators, 32 participated in person at the regional training. Training was facilitated by 03 Master Trainers / Facilitators of Sarvodaya Institute of Higher Learning (SIHL), of the Sarvodaya Movement (Sri Lanka). Members of UNICEF ROSA, and the Joint Learning Initiative on Faith & Local Communities (JLI) also contributed in facilitation of the TOT.

13 to 15 August 2023 - South Asia, the Regional Advisory Workshop on Faith Actors for Child Rights and Wellbeing in Colombo Sri Lanka brought together stakeholders to address challenges faced by children and adolescents, with a focus on adolescent girls. The workshop provided a platform for dialogue and collaboration, resulting in actionable recommendations for advancing child rights and wellbeing in the region. Outcomes and Recommendations: The workshop identified key priorities and strategies for enhancing the protection and empowerment of children, particularly girls, in South Asia. Future actions should focus on implementing the recommendations through targeted programs, increased resource mobilisation and partnerships with relevant stakeholders.

5 December 2020 - In response to the ‘Info-demic’ and other social challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Faith and Positive Change for Children, Families and Communities (FPCC) hosted its first of six COVID-19 training webinars for religious leaders and faith-based organizations (FBOs) in Eastern and Southern Africa Region (ESAR) on 10 and 11 November, 2020. Spaced over two months, the webinar series aims to equip multi-faith actors to address harmful myths and rumors, counteract stigma and discrimination and violence against children, and strengthen partnerships with each other and UNICEF to improve the wellbeing of children, families and communities. According to Dr. Francis Kuria, head of the African Council of Religious Leaders - Religions for Peace (ACRL-RfP), “this event is a significant moment in the journey ACRL has been taking with UNICEF and Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities (JLI), when, for the first time the FPCC Initiative is moving from strategy, pilots and backend designs and planning at global and regional level to the actual frontlines.”