Religions for Peace Convenes Global Inter-Religious (IRC) Webinar on Strengthening Inter-Religious Education

Pietro Bartoli, Religions for Peace International 20210519

On 19 May 2021, Religions for Peace held the third session of the 2021 Global Inter-Religious Council Development Webinar Series, under the title Equipping Inter-Religious Councils (IRCs) to Strengthen Inter-Religious Education. This critical event featured speakers and participants from the religious and secular spheres, from every part of the world, and represented a diverse range of religious traditions.

With prayerful eyes and hearts turned to the Holy Land, the presence and contributions of Bishop Munib Younan, Religions for Peace Honorary President in Palestine, were of immeasurable value. Together with Rabbi Burton Visotzky, Appleman Professor of Midrash and Interreligious Studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary, both leaders called for an immediate ceasefire, a growth in the culture of love, and the renewed sense of urgency for interreligious education. As Bishop Younan said, and Rabbi Visotzky echoed, “The conflict in Israel and Palestine is not religious. It may have impact on religion, but it is not between Muslims and Jews and Christians – it is political. It is a conflict on land… We have to combat against racism, hatred, and discrimination peacefully. When we teach the culture of love, not to hate, not to speak badly, we can combat any kind of extremism.” Their solidarity in praying and working for peace was an inspiration for the entire event and movement in this time of crisis.

H.E. Taha Ayhan, President of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), was explicit on the importance of interreligious education in preventing extremism building peaceful, cohesive and just societies. He stressed that empathy and compassion, twin foundations of religious peacemaking, depend on strong inter-religious education. Mr. Robert Jenkins, Chief of Education, UNICEF, noted that the time of COVID is actually a time of great opportunity, as it has sparked the creation of innovative modes of education, fostered new partnerships, and raised awareness of a global learning crisis. Religious leaders are key leaders in re-building a new world of education, highlighted in the example of Interreligious Council of Kenya-Religions for Peace, where a return to school has been promoted and helped children transition quickly back to a learning environment.

Panelists Prof. Anantanand Rambachan, Professor of Religion, St. Olaf College; Co-President, Religions for Peace, Mr. Oscar Perez, Secretary General, Inter-American Confederation of Catholic Education (CIEC), and Ms. Jesslyn Metta, Head of Research and Development Union of Indonesian Buddhist Students; Member, Religions for Peace Youth Media Team, along with the many participants, represented a breadth of needed engagement, ranging from Sikh to Buddhist, from Myanmar to Argentina, and from a variety of professional backgrounds. Each emphasized the role all need to play. Prof. Rambachan emphatically spoke for all when he said that our interreligious education must lead to action in defense of one another. Words alone are not enough. Mr. Perez, spoke of the need for Catholic schools to be places of interreligious learning, a safe space for children of all religions to come and grow together in peace. Ms. Metta confirmed this experience from a personal level and stressed the need for youth involvement.

In closing, Bishop Pedro Torres, Auxiliary Bishop of Córdoba, Argentina, shared that the event had been an invitation away from a practice of competition and towards a mystical experience of sharing. Indeed, in this difficult time, all participants were grateful for the moment together, to learn and listen to one another. Prof. Azza Karam, Secretary General of Religions for Peace, lauded the variety and plentitude of resources, tools, and experiences and highlighted Religions for Peace’s role to serve as a knowledge hub for inter-religious education, one of Religions for Peace’s Six Strategic Priorities.

A full report will be posted shortly

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