During a meeting hosted by the Committee of Human Fraternity in UAE on the importance of interreligious education and ethical values promotion, Bishop Paolo Martinelli, the Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, emphasized the significance of religions embarking on a shared journey. He highlighted the imperative for believers of diverse faiths to understand and respect each other, jointly advancing ethical and spiritual principles for the benefit of humanity.

Bishop Martinelli underlined that the educational experience is fundamentally shaped by religion, which is central to the human experience, defining each person's relationship with God. He stressed the necessity for collaboration among people of goodwill to foster a more humane and fraternal society.

The meeting, titled "Convening of Champions: Ethics Education to Contribute to Global Citizenship and Build Inclusive and Peaceful Societies," took place in Abu Dhabi from April 23 to 25. It was organized by the Committee of Human Fraternity, with support from UNESCO, Arigatou International, the Guerrand Hermes Foundation for Peace, and the KAICIID Dialogue Center.

Bishop Martinelli endorsed the Document on Human Fraternity signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, emphasizing its importance as a significant milestone in interreligious relations and as a valuable resource for interreligious education.

He emphasized that interreligious education begins with acknowledging that every individual is inherently religious, designed to be in communion with God and others in pursuit of the common good. Education, he added, should nurture religious sentiment—a foundational connection to a transcendent, omnipotent, merciful, and creative God—who encourages believers to treat one another as siblings.

In the United Arab Emirates, the private schools operated by the Apostolic Vicariate aim to contribute to interreligious education by preparing future generations to collaborate and show solidarity across all communities.

Bishop Martinelli emphasized the joint responsibility of religions to emphasize the importance of the religious and ethical dimensions of life, warning that without God, humanity risks losing its humanity.

In line with the Abu Dhabi document, interreligious education offers hope for humanity by envisioning a society grounded in tolerance, coexistence, solidarity, and social harmony.

Bishop Martinelli emphasized that young people are calling on adults to demonstrate that a peaceful world is achievable, underscoring the vital role of interreligious education in fostering fraternity and peace.