A few days ago I visited the Golden Sikh Temple in Amritsar, India and was impressed to see hundreds of volunteers working diligently to feed a hundred thousand people. Sikhs impose this and many actions of solidarity as a manifestation of the humanism of their religion towards those who need help the most.

On Saturday, November 11, I met their delegation visiting the Holy Father and I was able to witness that, despite differences in faith, it is possible to work for common things, for the benefit of human beings, especially the majority of people in need. Helping the most vulnerable in any way is a task we must all adhere to.

The Holy Father has done much to reach out to the leaders of other world religions, based on the premise that we all, deep down, obey the commandments of peace and respect. The religions of the world have the same principles, they are born from the same fundamental aspects of respect for life and the inherent rights of human beings.

Interfaith dialogue, promoted by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, is essential to finding common ground, where consensus building enables solutions to the complex problems facing global society.

I was also able to visit the tomb of Mahatma Gandhi, who promoted non-violence in finding solutions to conflicts in societies and left a great legacy in which intelligence prevails over the use of force and violence. Thus he marked the historical destiny of India and many parts of the world.

I had the opportunity to be admitted to an audience with the Holy Father, accompanied by my family, to discuss issues related to the human rights of the elderly and persons with disabilities. His Holiness encouraged us to continue the work of the dignity of these groups of people.

Today, when the world is facing several conflicts, when powers are radicalizing their geopolitical interests and when the capacity for dialogue and understanding in multilateral forums is impaired, it is necessary to return to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Human Rights and the legal framework that guarantees respect for itself to be a human being.

This week I also had the opportunity to speak with the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, about the pressing issues facing human beings in many parts of the world, where their rights are being violated. We agree that it is necessary to promote and protect those rights that are inherent in life and the very existence of a human being. Without this respect, there can be no dignity.

Perhaps the most important thing is to understand that if we do not teach future generations dialogue, understanding, empathy and a large dose of humanity, we will have conflicts of all kinds that will be impossible to resolve. (OR)