Religious leaders from around the world will gather in St Andrews on Friday to sign a declaration for humanity.
Representatives of the Dalai Lama and Catholic Church will join senior members of the Christian churches, Hindu communities in the UK and India, Jewish community in the UK and Buddhist monks at the town’s university, calling for all faiths to unite against radicalisation.
It is understood Pope Francis considered attending with the 130-strong delegation from 19 countries and told his aides the charter was “very positive”.
A survivor of the 2011 terrorist attacks in Norway will read a poem by fellow survivors at the event, which is to be streamed live online.
The St Andrews Declaration on a Shared Humanity incorporates teachings of different faiths and embraces basic principles of humanity, equality, diversity and freedom.
It is hoped, once signed, the 11-point declaration will be used by schools and community and faith groups internationally to foster the idea of a common humanity as a tool against radicalisation.
The signing will start a three-day conference marking the culmination of the Year of Interfaith Dialogue which was launched with public events delivered in London by the Dalai Lama and a lecture by Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi.
The charter was penned St Andrews professor of divinity Mario Aguilar.
