KAICIID global forum to explore intercultural education

(Vatican Radio) Is the fact of religious diversity a threat to peace, or is it rather a resource to be properly appreciated? How are people in different countries and from different religious backgrounds working to understand each other better, especially in societies increasingly characterized by cultural and religious pluralism? Is it really possible to teach respect for the Other?

These are just some of the questions that will be explored by participants in the Global Forum of the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue – KAICIID – which is taking place over two days from November 18^th – 19^th in Vienna, Austria.

To learn more about the event and the organization – of which the Holy See is a Founding Observer – Chris Altieri spoke with the Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Fr. Miguel Ayuso, who also serves as the Holy See’s representative at KAICIID. Listen:

Next 18-19 November in Vienna the Global Forum of KAICIID takes place: can you tell us about it?

Yes, the Global Forum that will take place in Vienna during these coming days is the culmination of a series of four regional workshops the KAICIID has hosted beginning May 2013 in Vienna, Austria and then in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; New Delhi, India; and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

What did the participants discuss in those regional workshops?

Well, the workshop participants shared their experiences in interreligious and intercultural education, and presented examples of methods and approaches that have proved effective in their regions. All their recommendations will then be discussed at the Global Forum.

The focus of the Global Forum is on: “The Image of the Other” – what does that mean?

This is the KAICIID flagship programme and a multiyear initiative exploring what is meant by “Other” – people of different religious or cultural backgrounds – in the spheres of education, mass-media and the internet. In this first year, the programme has been dedicated to highlighting and strengthening interreligious and intercultural education as a means to promote mutual understanding in a spirit of dialogue. The Forum will bring together about five hundred experts, policy makers and religious leaders working in the fields of education and religion.

Can you talk about the specific focus on education?

It is through education that we are able to attain a correct and objective image of the other. Hence, education is the key for living together in a period of change, as is our global reality today. Education to diversity, coexistence and understanding are more important than ever before.

How do you consider this aspect of education from the Catholic perspective?

Beyond any religious denomination, I think that, as human beings we must focus on the human person and his/her dignity. This is to be our real concern, as citizens and as believers. However, I would like to call to mind the Message of Pope Francis to Muslims on the occasion of this year’s Feast of Ramadan, which was titled Promoting Mutual Respect through Education. The Pope underlined the importance of education in the way we understand each other, built upon the foundation of mutual respect. The Pope said: “We all know that mutual respect is fundamental in any human relationship, especially among people who profess religious belief. In this way, sincere and lasting friendship can grow.” He also said, “[I]t is not possible to establish true links with God, while ignoring other people. (Address to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See on 22 March 2013)”

Hence the importance of interreligious dialogue…

Yes. To be respectful in presenting others’ religions in schools, universities and the mass media; to think and speak respectfully of other religions and their followers, and to avoid ridiculing or demeaning their convictions and practices.

Could you give some practical examples of areas and ways in which these attitudes and commitments can inform our action?

Yes. This could mean, to listen and to know each other and to give witness to our faith with kindness and respect, living together on the same plane of our human reality to share our riches, that is, our commonalities. Believers have to work for and to support all that favours the human person in his material, moral and religious aspirations. So three attitudes are required: 1) respect of the other in his/her specificity; 2) mutual objective knowledge of the religious tradition of each other, particularly through education; and 3) collaboration in order that our pilgrimage towards the Truth be realized in freedom and serenity.

What are your hopes for the extent and kind of success that the KAICIID forum might achieve in these directions?

We are collaborating with KAICIID for the good of the human family, as Cardinal Tauran said at the Opening Ceremony of the Centre, “Everyone is expecting from the initiative of His Majesty King Abdullah, supported by the governments of Austria and Spain, with the assistance of the Holy See as Founding Observer, honesty, vision and credibility.”

The centre and the activities you have described seem to be aimed at promoting broad-spectrum dialogue among persons of good will coming from many different religious and cultural traditions…

This Centre presents another opportunity for open dialogue on many issues, including those related to fundamental human rights, and in particular religious freedom in all its aspects, for every person, for every community, anywhere. In this regard, you can understand that the Holy See is particularly attentive to the fate of Christian communities in countries where such freedom is not adequately guaranteed. In the words of the President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue: “Information, new initiatives, aspirations, and perhaps also failures will be brought to our attention. It then will be the task of KAICIID – and when possible with the cooperation of other organizations – to verify their authenticity and to act consequently, in order that our contemporaries not be deprived of the light and the resources that religion offers for the happiness of every human being.”

KAICIID is an international organization, recognized by the UN. What is the role of the Catholic Church in this project?

As you know, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI gave his support to this project of King Abdullah. In this context, for the Catholic Church KAICIID is ‘another’ initiative in which to implement interreligious dialogue. The support of the Holy See for this initiative of the Saudi Monarch is intended to encourage continuity towards the recognition and protection of human dignity and the consequent fundamental rights, in particular religious freedom.