As part of the 'Voices of Faith 360' Project: A Panel Discussion with the Sudan Group on Translating the Regional Ethical Declaration into a Local Action Plan

As part of the activities of the "Voices of Faith 360" project, a special panel discussion was held with the Sudan Group. The session was dedicated to reviewing the outputs of the Regional Ethical Declaration and discussing ways to translate its principles into a Sudanese action plan tailored to the local context and community needs.

The discussion addressed several key issues concerning the relationship between religion, state, and society in Sudan. It also highlighted the importance of advancing freedom of religion or belief, establishing the principle of equality before the law, and countering religious hate speech through integrated approaches encompassing awareness, education, media, and advocacy.

Participants emphasized the necessity of building upon existing efforts and initiatives in Sudan rather than starting from scratch. They stressed the need to enhance coordination among religious, civil, legal, and media actors to establish a shared framework for protecting religious and cultural diversity, promoting values of coexistence, and fostering acceptance of others.

The session also explored the importance of providing protection for actors and practitioners working on sensitive issues related to religious freedoms and hate speech, ensuring they can carry out their societal roles safely and effectively.

In conclusion, participants underscored that the value of the Ethical Declaration goes beyond articulating principles; it lies in the capacity to translate them into practical, actionable steps grounded in the Sudanese reality that support efforts to build a society that respects diversity, encourages dialogue, and embraces difference.