Regional Interfaith Dialogue, Connecting and Cooperating for Peace and Harmony In the Asia-Pacific region
Muslim American fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad says she spends up to seven hours training on an average day. Right now, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, that means seven hours of intense physical exercise without any food or water between sunrise and sunset.
Following on with the success of “A Common Word between Us and You” is A Common Word Among Youth. This is a program fostered by the Right Start Foundation International which offers placements for youth between 18 – 35 to participate in training for initiating change and translating international issues into local community activities.
Young people are taking up active roles in many interfaith arenas of activity. Young people with determination can reap the harvest of cooperation, understanding and peaceful development.
Regional Interfaith Dialogue endorses further exchanges between people (e.g. young people, students, teachers, religious leaders, academics) of different faiths, within and between countries, and at the grassroots communal levels. Improvements to the religious education curriculum facilitate moderate religious views among young people.
The development of resources for teaching young people about other faiths that are acceptable to the relevant religious communities and to educators is a critical education resource needed in this region.
Strengthening multi-religious youth networks across the region, encouraging cooperation, including through exchange programs, camps and training programs are all recommended activities for creating interfaith cooperation and understanding by young people.
You may read more about Interfaith and Youth here.
Youth, Interfaith and Non-violent Leadership
Earlier this year, Pace e Bene, Australia, had the opportunity to offer a major program focused on nonviolent leadership. The Program offered 21 Young People, from different faith traditions to gather in Melbourne for 2 residential retreats across 8 days.
Mekong Peace Journey Internship is next on the agenda as the Alliance for Conflict Transformation – Cambodia prepares for the ASEAN Youth summit in 2012.
The Mekong Peace Journey Internship is an intensive activity to hands-on the in-dept experiences for the young adult leaders through an internship program that provide a “Learning Process on Peace Building in Mekong Region.”
The GrIP Project was implemented through the funding assistance of the Strengthening Grassroots Interfaith Dialogue and Understanding (SGIDU) Program managed by Australian Embassy Manila.