The Temple of Understanding, one of the world's oldest interfaith organizations, announced its intention to honour Rabbi Soetendorp interfaith activities with the Juliet Hollister Award that has been accepted in past years by international leaders including This award has been accepted by many influentialleaders including: His Holiness the XlVth Dalai Lama; Nelson Mandela; His All Holiness, Bartholomew, Ecumenical Patriarch; and Dr. Wangari Maathai.

In their official letter to Rabbi Soetendorp, the Temple of Understanding's Board of Trustees explained that the award will be given to honour Rabbi Soetendorp's "visionary efforts as a champion of human rights, interfaith values and environmental sustainability, including his work with the Earth Charter and the Jacob Soetendorp Institute for Human Values."

Rabbi Soetendorp gladly accepts the award that will be given to him in a festive ceremony in New York City on October 16, 2012.

Upon special invitation by Bhutan's Prime Minister Yigmi Y. Thinley, Rabbi Soetendorp participated in the High-Level Event on "Happiness and Well-Being: Creating a New Economic Paradigm" that was hosted by the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on April 2nd, 2012. The event brought together more than 700 experts, heads of state, NGO representatives and spiritual leaders to define a new economic paradigm based on sustainable happiness. The event was opened by key-note speeches by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon as well as H.E. Ms. Laura Chinchilla, the President of Costa Rica.

Rabbi Soetendorp was invited to share his comments during the final panel of the event and to conclude the proceedings with an interreligious blessing. On April 3 and 4, he joined the civil society working session and explored with the other religious leaders how religious and spiritual communities could be involved in the global movement for a new economics that was launched during the event.