High-level government officials, religious leaders, and development partners gathered to mark the 15th anniversary of the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia (IRCE), celebrating its vital contributions to national dialogue, public health, and social cohesion.
Delivering remarks at the ceremony, a representative from Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) commended the Council for establishing a crucial platform where faith communities can engage constructively on shared national priorities. Reflecting on the Council’s origins, the representative noted that NCA helped nurture the organization during its formative years by hosting its original Secretariat at its Meskel Flower property, providing office space and institutional support that laid the foundation for Ethiopia’s leading inter-faith body.
Over the past decade and a half, the Council has spearheaded key social and health initiatives across the country. In 2011, with support from UNFPA, NCA, and the Norwegian government, IRCE convened Ethiopia's first national inter-faith dialogue on maternal health, HIV/AIDS, peaceful coexistence, and harmful traditional practices. This momentum led to a major 2012 forum uniting leaders from six faith traditions, which produced a landmark joint declaration affirming that protecting women and girls is fully consistent with religious teachings.
Since then, the Council has hosted more than 40 regional and national inter-faith forums across Ethiopia. In 2015, the Council formally pledged to contribute to ending female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage by 2025. This commitment was further institutionalized in 2018 through a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, integrating faith leaders directly into national planning and accountability mechanisms.
The NCA representative also pointed to the Council’s work in establishing women’s structures within faith communities, investing in inclusive female leadership, and supporting research that demonstrates how religious institutions can foster positive social norms. Reaffirming NCA's ongoing partnership with the Council, the representative expressed strong optimism for Ethiopia's future and praised the Council’s 15-year legacy of bringing diverse faith traditions together around shared values.
