The Speaker of Parliament of Zimbabwe, Hon. Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda, has arrived in Rome, Italy, to participate in the 2nd Edition of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Interfaith Dialogue, a landmark global forum that affirms the relevance of interfaith and intercultural solidarity in fostering sustainable peace, inclusivity, and human dignity. The conference, taking place from the 19th to the 21st of June 2025, is being jointly convened by the IPU and the Italian Parliament in collaboration with Religions for Peace, under the resonant theme, “Strengthening Trust and Embracing Hope for Our Common Future.”
The presence of Speaker Mudenda at this high-level platform is emblematic of Zimbabwe’s steadfast commitment to parliamentary diplomacy and its constitutional imperative to advance freedom of worship and religious pluralism. His participation reaffirms Parliament’s strategic role as an active agent in shaping global peace dialogues and fostering mutual understanding across faiths and nations. Zimbabwe’s Constitution explicitly guarantees freedom of religion and belief, and the Speaker is expected to articulate the nation’s progress in institutionalizing inclusive policies that embrace diverse religious expressions while cultivating a culture of interfaith cooperation and tolerance.
Following the successful inaugural edition of the Interfaith Dialogue in Marrakesh in 2023, the Rome Dialogue carries forward the spirit of the Marrakesh Communiqué, which unequivocally recognized interfaith engagement, rooted in respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, as a critical tool for building inclusive societies and upholding the rule of law. Rome, therefore, becomes more than a geographical venue; it becomes a symbolic and diplomatic theatre in which Parliamentarians, religious leaders, academics, and international organizations converge in pursuit of a shared moral vision for global harmony.
Speaker Mudenda is accompanied by a strong parliamentary delegation comprising Senator Chief Nechombo, Hon. Farai Jere, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Recreation, Art and Culture, and Hon. Maureen Kademaunga, a member of the IPU Forum for Young Parliamentarians. The delegation was warmly received at Rome International Airport by Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Italy, Her Excellency Mrs. Chauke, and officials from the Zimbabwean Embassy, marking a dignified start to a mission grounded in statesmanship, cultural diplomacy, and inter-parliamentary engagement.
The Rome Dialogue will culminate in forward-looking recommendations that not only build on the foundations of previous IPU declarations but also chart actionable strategies to promote peaceful coexistence, advance human rights, and uphold the rule of law globally. In alignment with the Jubilee Year, the conference will place emphasis on healing historical divisions, nurturing hope, and igniting collaborative efforts for a just and inclusive future.
A key highlight of the programme is the scheduled audience with the recently ordained leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo IV, on 21 June. This engagement underscores the IPU’s vision of faith as a unifying force and amplifies the role of parliamentary institutions as moral and ethical custodians of the people’s collective destiny.
Speaker Mudenda’s presence in Rome is not merely ceremonial; it is a dignified representation of Zimbabwe’s aspiration to contribute meaningfully to the architecture of global peace through mutual dialogue, respect for cultural diversity, and the reaffirmation of shared human values. It is a reminder that Parliament, in its deliberative and representative functions, carries the solemn responsibility to bridge divides, protect freedoms, and sow the seeds of unity across borders and beliefs.
As the world grapples with rising tensions, polarizations, and existential uncertainties, Zimbabwe’s engagement in the IPU Interfaith Dialogue is both timely and necessary. It is a manifestation of soft power diplomacy and the principled assertion that peace begins not with the silence of conflict, but with the dialogue of conscience. Through this participation, Parliament of Zimbabwe stands tall, not only as a national legislative body but as a global interlocutor for hope, inclusion, and lasting peace.
