Lisbon (UNA) – The Secretary-General of the King Abdullah International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID), Dr. Zuhair Al-Harthi, and the Executive Director of the ASEAN-IPR Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR), Ambassador Gusti Agung Wisaka Puja, signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday, Thursday (December 12, 2024), via video conference, as part of KAICIID’s efforts to achieve strategic partnerships at the international level that enhance the Centre’s initiatives and projects to spread peace through dialogue between followers of religions and cultures in the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which includes: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, and Cambodia.
KAICIID explained in a statement that: “The memorandum of understanding comes in the context of the strategic expansion of KAICIID’s partnerships on the international scene, as the cooperation between the center and the Peace and Reconciliation Institute aims to spread harmony among the various societal components in Southeast Asian countries through dialogue between followers of religions and cultures, in addition to promoting the values of tolerance and coexistence in a way that positively affects the contexts of sustainable international development in that important region of the world.”
In his speech on this occasion, Dr. Zuhair Al-Harthi said: “We at KAICIID truly appreciate the partnership with the ASEAN-IPR Institute for Peace and Reconciliation. We have worked together through our joint efforts to promote dialogue between followers of religions and cultures in the region. Today, with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, we are taking a pivotal step towards strengthening the partnership between the two sides in the field of peacebuilding and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially: Goal (16) on peace, justice and strong institutions; Goal (4) on quality education; (5) on gender equality; (10) on reducing inequality; (11) on sustainable cities and communities; and Goal No. (17) on strategic partnerships in spreading peace and community cohesion,” adding that: “The Memorandum of Understanding is also an opportunity to open new horizons for cooperation, including in the field of consolidating the values of inclusive cities and sacred environments,” stressing “KAICID’s full support to make this cooperation fruitful.”
For his part, the Executive Director of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation noted the relationship with the center, saying: “While we are proud to be home to some of the most diverse countries in the world, in terms of culture, ethnicity, language, faith or religious beliefs, this can be a double-edged sword, as pluralism can pose challenges or provoke tensions or conflicts between different societal groups, which can pose a major threat to our regional peace and prosperity. Therefore, it is important that we cooperate with KAICIID to promote dialogue between followers of religions and cultures, and to use this to our advantage to bridge gaps, respect diversity and pluralism, build trust to prevent and resolve conflicts, and spread the values of peaceful coexistence among all societal spectrums.”
Joint cooperation
The collaboration between the King Abdullah International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN Peace and Reconciliation Institute) first began in 2020 when the Centre participated in a webinar on “Empowering Women and Youth in Building Sustainable Peace.” In 2021, KAICIID and the Institute launched a training program for a number of community leaders in ASEAN on interreligious and intercultural dialogue; and participated in the opening session of the ASEAN Interreligious Youth Camp in October 2021.
In 2023, the first cooperation agreement between KAICIID and ASEAN was signed to develop a guide on sustainable and inclusive international development specifically designed for ASEAN officials; with KAICIID organizing the first training for 26 government officials from all ASEAN countries including Timor-Leste.
KAICIID, through its programmes in Asia and the Arab region, also cooperated with the ASEAN Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, one of the main organisers of the Women, Peace and Security Conference in the Philippine capital, Manila, from 28-30 October 2024, in managing an event entitled “Forming Cooperation and Convergence for the Advancement of Women, Peace and Security”.
From 11-15 November 2024, KAICIID, through its Asia and Arab Region programmes, closely cooperated with the ASEAN Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue Programme to train ASEAN officials on interfaith and intercultural dialogue in Penang, Malaysia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, as the host country, is organising this training.
(is over)
