As the world is still recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, multifaceted and multidimensional crisis continues to loom, presenting ever increasing challenges to the future of humanity.

Throughout human history, religion has been the source of moral and ethical principles that inspires and enables many individuals and societies to deal with various crises. However, repeatedly, religious differences have also become a source of tensions and conflicts. In this regard, faith-based organizations have been an important part of the civil society in dealing with the issues, especially those impacting the most vulnerable at the grassroot level.

Hence, there is a growing need for more multi-faith collaborations where people of different religions and faiths learn from one another and work together to address issues of common concern to humanity, while acknowledging and respecting differences between and within their religions and faiths. The richness of our plural society is a powerful asset if there is synergy between faith-based organizations and the government. The challenge is, as the UNESCO’s report on the future of education stated that the world appears increasingly divided and polarized.[1] Therefore, the need for multi-faith collaborations is becoming more important than ever.

“Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” which means “unity in diversity”, Indonesia’s motto, embodies the long history and tradition of multi-faith harmony. Considering the increasing division and polarization as a threat to any diverse societies, the Indonesian government through its foreign policy seeks to strengthen the collaboration through interreligious and intercultural dialogue. Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and the Leimena Institute will co-host this conference to discuss this important topic with leaders and scholars from various countries.

The conference will look at multi-faith collaborations for an inclusive society from different cultural perspectives. How such collaborations can help promote and protect human rights, achieve sustainable development, and address challenges regionally and globally. The importance of multi-faith collaboration in a diverse society is becoming more evident through the Cross-Cultural Religious Literacy program in Indonesia that has trained more than 7.000 teachers nationwide since late 2021 on the competencies to build peaceful interfaith relations and collaborations.

The conference will discuss the role of cross-cultural interreligious dialogue and multi-faith collaboration in global citizenship. It will also discuss more specifically the role of education, including initiatives such as the Cross-Cultural Religious Literacy, in fostering collaboration between people of different religions and beliefs based on mutual respect, in light of Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In addition, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action stated that education should promote understanding, tolerance, peace and friendly relations between the nations and all racial or religious groups.

The conference will also discuss how Cross-Cultural Religious Literacy and similar initiatives in the Southeast Asian region can support the vision of ASEAN as an inclusive community that respects political, social, religious, cultural and ethnic differences. It will also bring into conversation the perspectives and experiences of interfaith activities and initiatives from around the world.

[1] United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (2021). Reimagining Our Futures Together: A new social contract for education. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000379707.locale=en