Partnerships are vital to URI’s mission. As a global network rooted in grassroots action, we invest in strong and aligned collaborators to expand impact, deepen dialogue, and support communities working for peace.
With this spirit of alignment and shared purpose, the United Religions Initiative (URI) and the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) have formalized their cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The signing took place in Lisbon and reflects years of connection, mutual respect, and shared work in interreligious and intercultural dialogue.
KAICIID is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue to foster peace, mutual respect, and social cohesion. It works worldwide with religious leaders, policymakers, and civil society to address conflict, strengthen social fabric, and promote inclusive, human-centered solutions through dialogue and cooperation.
The MoU was signed by Eric Roux, Chair of the URI Global Council, along with His Excellency Ambassador António de Almeida Ribeiro, Secretary General of KAICIID. Together with Eric Roux, URI was represented by Ambassador Mussie Hailu, URI’s Regional Director for Africa and Dr. Lejla Hasandedic-Dapo, URI Membership Growth Coordinator.
After the signing, Eric Roux shared:
“Today marks a joyful milestone for all of us. As Chair of the United Religions Initiative, I am honored and deeply enthusiastic to enter into this Memorandum of Understanding with KAICIID. This partnership combines two tremendous strengths: URI’s vast, vibrant grassroots network spanning every continent, and KAICIID’s strong commitment to fostering dialogue and understanding at the highest levels of leadership.
At URI, we have always believed that real and lasting peace begins with people — with communities, with everyday encounters, with the courageous choice to listen and cooperate.
By joining our efforts with KAICIID, we are creating a bridge between grassroots wisdom and global decision-making. This is not only strategic; it is profoundly hopeful. Together, URI and KAICIID will continue to nurture interfaith and intercultural harmony, human dignity, hope, strengthen dialogue, and build the foundation of a more peaceful and united world.”
“This MoU represents the beginning of a new phase of collaboration in the area of interreligious dialogue — a phase that will inspire further action.” – Ambassador António de Almeida Ribeiro, Acting Secretary General, KAICIID
Dr. Lejla Hasandedic-Dapo added:
“This MoU with KAICIID is a powerful commitment to strengthen the living bridge between our global grassroots members and high-level dialogue platforms. Together, we will expand access, amplify voices, deepen collaboration, and ensure that peacebuilding, interfaith learning, and community impact flow in both directions — from local communities to global leaders, and back to the people who make peace real every day.”
This partnership opens new possibilities for joint programming, capacity building, research, and advocacy. It strengthens URI’s ability to support its members and helps position interfaith cooperation as a key tool for addressing today’s global challenges.
