EULEMA and the Council of Europe's Committee for Interreligious and Interconvictional Dialogue

The CIID: Interreligious Dialogue at the Heart of European Civil Society

The Council of Europe’s Committee for Interreligious and Interconvictional Dialogue (CIID) is the structured forum through which faith-based and non-denominational non-governmental organisations with participatory status at the Council of Europe engage in sustained dialogue on religious pluralism, democratic values, and freedom of religion or belief.

Operating within the framework of the Conference of International NGOs (CINGO), the CIID was formally constituted in April 2021 and has since brought together a broad spectrum of religious and philosophical traditions around a common commitment to democratic equality-based dialogue. The committee’s mandate was extended until 2027, reflecting the Council of Europe’s recognition that interreligious and interconvictional dialogue is not a peripheral concern but a structural component of the Council’s mission to uphold human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

The CIID’s programme of work includes thematic webinars, the production of recommendations addressed to Council of Europe bodies, and the development of NIRIC-Dialogue — a dedicated network and digital platform for the promotion and documentation of interreligious dialogue initiatives across the continent. On 15 October 2025, the committee adopted a Recommendation for a permanent platform for ongoing interreligious and interconvictional dialogue within the Council of Europe, marking a significant institutional milestone.

EULEMA’s participation in this framework — formalised through the Participatory Status granted by the Committee of Ministers in May 2026 — positions the Majlis as a recognised contributor to the Council of Europe’s work on religious pluralism and democratic renewal.

More information: Council of Europe – CIID.