2024 has been designated by many civil society organizations as “The Year of Democracy”. 70+ national elections and 50+ local elections are engaging over 2 billion people and shaping the future of the world this calendar year.
In 2024, the Parliament of the World's Religions is building on the call to action of our 2023 Convening, Defending Freedom and Human Rights, by hosting FOCUS24 | Faith, Democracy, and Our Common Future: Shaping a Path Forward, a year-long initiative that commits our attention to the collective concern for human rights and freedom.
Grounded in the Parliament's foundational document, "Towards a Global Ethic," FOCUS24 puts into action our shared commitments to solidarity, compassion, and respect for life by offering programs that foster collaboration and civic engagement in the many critical elections taking place around the world in 2024.
Those gathered at the 2023 Convening recognized the interdependence of our futures and the responsibility that each person has for shaping that future through a shared commitment to interfaith dialogue, civic engagement, and democracy. And now it's time to shape a path forward with FOCUS24, an initiative that examines what is at stake in these elections, provides an in-depth guide to the critical issues, and explores the values and beliefs that guide people of faith.
What is FOCUS24?
FOCUS24 is a year-long series of integrated online events featuring leading figures in democracy, freedom, civil society, civic engagement, and mobilizing people of faith.
At the core of this initiative is our commitment to working together with experts, community members, and PoWR stakeholders to develop a rich experience that prioritizes network-building, strategy mobilization, and learning.
The FOCUS24 series aims to bridge the gap between the lectern and the participant by committing to a community-first approach. Our programs offer a unique opportunity to be in dialogue WITH experts and each other.
All participants registered for the full FOCUS24 series will be added to PoWR’s FOCUS24 Community Hub and enjoy real-time dialogue with participants throughout the year. Via the Zoom messenger app, participants can share resources, screen captures, images, messages, and more.
We know the threat, we know the challenge, we know how important people of faith are in our common future. Now, it’s time to shape a path forward. And we can’t do it without you.