Recap: Faith and Democracy Conference
ICNY, the NYC Civic Engagement Commission, and the League of Women Voters of the City of New York brought communities together to explore the relationships between faith and democratic governance.
On Wednesday, December 4th, 2024, our annual social justice conference on Faith and Democracy: Educating Communities for a Better Future, brought together faith leaders, community organizers, and advocates for a transformative day of dialogue, learning, and action.
Keynoted by Dr. Sarah Sayeed, Chair and Executive Director of the NYC Civic Engagement Commission, the event emphasized the importance of civic engagement in advancing justice and fostering community resilience.
A dynamic multifaith panel featuring Rev. Fred Davie, Aaron Dorfman, Heba Khalil, and Spencer Williams explored the role of diverse faith communities in addressing pressing challenges to democracy. Panelists shared insights on bridging divides, uplifting marginalized voices, and mobilizing faith-based communities for collective action.
The conference offered hands-on workshops designed to develop participants’ practical organizing skills, and deepen their understanding of critical issues. Topics included:
participatory budgeting: empowering communities to directly influence how public funds are allocated;
legislative advocacy: equipping faith leaders with the tools to influence policy and legislation in pursuit of justice;
non-citizen voting: exploring pathways to expand civic participation for non-citizens;
combatting religious nationalism: addressing the intersection of faith and politics to counter divisive and exclusionary narratives;
restorative justice: examining how restorative justice can address systemic inequalities, foster belonging, and rebuild trust within communities.
The conference also provided an invaluable platform for attendees to connect with one another and build relationships across faiths and traditions. “I deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn from this vibrant, spirited, and dedicated interfaith community. We are stronger together,” said Ted Bongiovanni, Executive Director, New York Quarterly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends.
If you were not able to attend the conference yourself, you can watch highlights on ICNY's YouTube channel. We hope you enjoy the videos, and above all we hope you can join us at future ICNY conferences for religious and civic leaders, to build relationships with your diverse neighbors.
The conference reaffirmed the crucial role of faith-based leadership in strengthening democracy and building a more equitable society. It demonstrated that faith communities can collaborate to inspire change, uplift the most vulnerable, and advance justice for all.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all speakers, panelists, workshop leaders, and participants, and look forward to continuing this important work together in the months and years to come.
What Can You Do to Help?
ICNY’s Faith and Democracy Resource Guide outlines advocacy goals for 2025, lists faith-based and civil organizations to partner with, and provides links to toolkits, trainings, and guides. Suggestions on getting involved include:
Stay updated on local issues, policies, and events to understand how they affect your community. For example, play your part in The People’s Money, New York City's annual citywide Participatory Budgeting (PB) initiative where community members decide how to spend part of the city's budget.
Build relationships with elected officials, the key decision-makers in local politics. Find contact information for your Borough President, and City Council and Community Board members at Who Represents Me? NYC.
Volunteer. Platforms like NYC Service or Volunteer
Match NYC can connect you with causes that match your interests.
Download the guide for more information.