Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue: Building Bridges towards Peace

Together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, in cooperation with the Prague-based Ambassadors of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states, Anna Lindh Foundation and in partnership with Renovabis and Porticus, we would like to cordially invite you to the 7th Conference on Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue. This year our distinguished guests will discuss "Building Bridges towards Peace."

15. 12. 2022 (8:00)

We dedicate our 7th successive conference on Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue to recognising our cultural differences and building effective communication to build bridges toward peace. Intercultural and interfaith dialogue can bridge distinct cultural experiences and vocabularies to reach a shared understanding of the value of a human being. We realise the power of interfaith and intercultural dialogue more than ever to foster greater awareness of diversity, mutual respect, and peace in times of rising challenges that face humanity.

In building bridges toward peace, the conference highlights the necessity to build effective diplomatic communication among policymakers with different approaches to ongoing conflicts and the role of religion and faith-based organisations in the process. Effective diplomatic communication is considered key in facilitating the transition of fragile communities toward resilience, preventing the misuse of religion during conflicts and increasing support for peace.

To this end, the conference will hold 3 panel discussions. The first one aims to find out the common ways religion can build resilience across different cultures in communities. The second one aims to identify convenient diplomatic tools to prevent the misuse of religion during times of conflict. The third one aims to discuss the future of religion and how religion makes a difference in international relations.

The 7th Conference on Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue is hosted by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Prague-based Ambassadors of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation member states, Institute of International Relations Prague and Anna Lindh Foundation and in partnership with Renovabis and Porticus. The conference will continue its tradition to provide a platform for the exchange of ideas among experts, policymakers, diplomats, and civil society.

 

 Goals of the Conference

  • Discuss ways in how religion can be used as a source of resilience for communities from diverse cultures to reinstate peace
  • Let our culturally varying insights and experiences speak in identifying the convenient diplomatic tools to prevent the misuse of religion in support of peace

The conference will be preceded by the Welcome Reception at the Residence of the Ambassador of Pakistan for panellists and speakers (upon email invitation) on Wednesday, 14.12.2022 at 18:00.

Den 1 15. 12. 2022

8:00 - 9:00

Registration

9:00 - 9:05

Musical Piece by Sephardic Pianist Renan Koen from Istanbul

9:05 - 9:35

Opening Remarks

Jan Lipavský Minister of Foreign Affairs , Czech Republic
Egemen Bağış Ambassador and Chairperson of the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) Prague Group, Turkiye
Mohamed Abdelsalam Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Elders and Co-President of Religions for Peace, United Arab Emirates
Jakub Eberle Research Director at the Institute of International Relations Prague, Czech Republic
Moderátor: Robert Řehák Special Envoy for Holocaust, Interfaith Dialogue and Freedom of Religion or Belief, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic
9:35 - 9:40

Musical Piece by Sephardic Pianist Renan Koen from Istanbul

9:40 - 10:50

Panel Discussion I: Religion as a Source of Resilience in the Times of Geopolitical Crisis

How can religion bring resilience to communities in times of geopolitical crises? What are some practical and effective interventions that faith-based organizations can make in helping people to adapt to crisis situations? How can it help break the fragilities that emanate from cultural, social and political differences within societies? How can religion and interfaith dialogue turn such fragilities into a unifying force to cope with geopolitical crises?

Tomáš Halík Professor of Sociology, Charles University, President of the Czech Christian Academy, Czech Republic
Mirjam Künkler Professor, Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study, Humanities and Social Sciences, Netherlands
Ermal Bega Orientalist, Executive Director of Albanian Center for Oriental Studies, (Member of the ALF Network, Albania
Aleš Weiss Department of Middle Eastern Studies, Charles University, Czech Republic
Moderátor: Tereza Jermanová Assistant Professor, Department of Middle Eastern Studies, Charles University, Czech Republic
10:50 - 11:05

Coffee Break

11:05 - 12:15

Panel Discussion II: Diplomacy and Preventing the Misuse of Religion

One of the major impediments to building peace is the misuse of religion during times of conflict. What common lessons can policymakers derive from their experiences to cope with the misuse of religion? What are the most convenient diplomatic tools to cope with the misuse of religion? What constructive role can faith-based organisations play in this process?

Ismail Hakkı Musa Ambassador and Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office to Combat Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims, Turkiye
Sarah Wolff Professor in European Politics and International Relations and Director of the Centre for European Research, Queen Mary University of London
Gregory M. Reichberg Research Professor, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), Norway
Jiří Schneider Former First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Lay Moderator, ECCB, Czech Republic
Moderátor: Jan Daniel Researcher, Institute of International Relations Prague, Czech Republic
12:15 - 13:15

Lunch (Presentation of National Food by OIC member countries)

13:15 - 14:30

Panel Discussion III: Future Development of Religion and Implications for International Relations

What is the future of religion? How can religion make a difference to positive outcomes in international relations?

Jaume de Marcos Andreu Vice-President of United Religions Initiative (URI) in Europe, UNESCO Association for Interreligious Dialogue, Spain
András Máté-Tóth Professor at the University of Szeged, Hungary
Peter Jonkers Professor at the Tilburg University, Netherlands
Ivana Noble Professor at the Charles University, Czech Republic
Moderátor: Petr Kratochvíl Professor, Senior Researcher, Institute of International Relations Prague, Czech Republic
14:30 - 15:00

Closing Remarks

Jan Šnaidauf Director of Foreign Policy Analysis and Planning Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
Muhammad Khalid Jamali Ambassador and Member of the OIC Prague Group, Pakistan
Nikola Adamovská Head of the Czech Network, Anna Lindh Foundation, Czech Republic
Moderátor: Pelin Ayan Musil Senior Researcher, Institute of International Relations Prague, Czech Republic

Opening Remarks

Panel Discussion I: Religion as a Source of Resilience in the Times of Geopolitical Crisis

Panel Discussion II: Diplomacy and Preventing the Misuse of Religion

Panel Discussion III: Future Development of Religion and Implications for International Relations

Closing Remarks