Global Leaders Converge in Buenos Aires: Terrorism, Peace, and Argentina’s Future Mark Historic Interfaith Congress

Buenos Aires, February 18, 2025 — With notable attendance and participation from renowned international figures, the VIII World Congress of Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue was held today at the Angélica Zapata Auditorium of CEMA University.

The day began at 9:00 AM with opening remarks from Cynthia Wilner, Academic Secretary of CEMA University, and Gustavo M. Guillermé, Congress President, who emphasized the importance of interfaith dialogue in today’s global context.

Key Debates of the Day

The first panel, moderated by Dr. Cristian David Badillo Gutiérrez, featured special guest Rabbi Abraham Cooper from the Simon Wiesenthal Center, who provided an in-depth analysis of the Abraham Accords’ impact on building world peace. The Israeli Ambassador to Argentina, H.E. Eyal Sela, complemented the discussion by offering a diplomatic perspective on these historic agreements.

During the second session, national legislators, including Representative Sabrina Ajmechet and Senator Juan Carlos Pagotto, engaged in an intense debate about Argentina’s future, addressing strategic projections and policies for the 2025-2045 period.

Youth and Security: Central Themes

In the afternoon, the congress gave a platform to young voices in the “Youth, Faith, and Politics” panel, where Juan Ignacio Boutet, founder of Youth La Libertad Avanza, and other emerging leaders analyzed the role of youth in Argentina’s current political context.

The event concluded with a profound analysis of global security, where Dr. Martín Verrier, Secretary of Counter-Narcotics, along with General Carlos Mena Bravo from Colombia and Judge Carlos Mahiques, addressed the links between international terrorism and organized crime.

Positive Outcome

“This congress reaffirms its position as one of the most relevant spaces for global encounter and reflection,” stated Guillermo Smythe, Public Representative of Scientology’s founder Mr. L. Ron Hubbard and one of the event organizers, who actively participated in several panel discussions throughout the day.

The gathering, celebrating its 12th anniversary, maintained the high-level tradition that has characterized it over the years, joining the list of editions that have featured participation from seven Ibero-American former presidents and numerous distinguished figures from political, academic, and religious spheres.

The day concluded by reaffirming the Congress’s commitment to promoting understanding, cooperation, and dialogue in an increasingly interconnected and challenging world, establishing new bridges of communication between different sectors of global society.

Read the Congress program here.