Indonesia Interfaith and Inter-cultural Initiatives
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Heather GarvenIndonesia Interfaith and Inter-cultural Initiatives
Post 9/11 there has been growing international support for interfaith and inter-civilisational dialogues aimed at building cooperation and respect for other cultures and faiths. Such dialogues can support wider counter-terrorist strategies and help to counter terrorist recruitment by addressing religious radicalisation and strengthening the position of religious moderates. Like Indonesia, New Zealand is an active supporter of interfaith and inter-cultural dialogues. Indonesia hosted the first meeting of the Asia-Pacific Regional Interfaith Dialogue at Yogyakarta in December 2004 while New Zealand hosted the third meeting of the Dialogue at Waitangi in May 2007. The Fourth Dialogue, held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in April, highlighted the progress Dialogue countries have made since the inaugural meeting in promoting stable and cohesive communities. New Zealand and Indonesia are also fellow members of the New York-based Group of Friends supporting the Alliance of Civilisations, a broader inter-cultural initiative aimed at building mutual trust and understanding between societies.
New Zealand continues to engage with Indonesia on a variety of interfaith and inter-cultural activities, offering, in 2008, an Indonesian Muslim Youth Leaders exchange to New Zealand, a Media Exchange for New Zealand journalists to participate in intercultural events in Indonesia and supporting academic visits between the two countries. New Zealand participated in the Third Global Intermedia Dialogue in Bali in May, and welcomed the support of the Indonesian Government and Press Council for the EAS Regional Media Programme, which was held in Jakarta in November 2008.
Last updated: 04 December 2008
