“Nurturing Seeds” Religious Literacy as a Skill for Peaceful Engagement #2

Episode 2 of 3: Bridging Divides: Contextualizing Conflict – Practising Religious Literacy for Peace
Join us to explore how religious literacy can bridge divides and build peace—learn from Dicky Sofjan’s powerful insights on navigating conflict through contextual understanding.

How can religious literacy be practised as a peacebuilding tool in contexts of conflict and division? In the second episode of our three-part series, Associate Professor Dr. Dicky Sofjan delves into how religious literacy, when approached contextually, can help bridge divides and foster social cohesion. Building on insights from the October 2024 webinar “Sowing Seeds of Peace,” Dicky shares real-world examples from his work across Asia, demonstrating how religious literacy can empower communities, transform engagement, and support inclusive conflict resolution. Join us for this 30-minute online fireside conversation, where Dicky will highlight the importance of training local actors, embracing multi-faith perspectives, and moving from mono-religious to inclusive approaches. The session offers a powerful lens on how understanding lived religion can strengthen efforts toward peace and resilience in diverse, often fragile, settings.How can religious literacy be practised as a peacebuilding tool in contexts of conflict and division? In the second episode of our three-part series, Associate Professor Dr. Dicky Sofjan delves into how religious literacy, when approached contextually, can help bridge divides and foster social cohesion. Building on insights from the October 2024 webinar “Sowing Seeds of Peace,” Dicky shares real-world examples from his work across Asia, demonstrating how religious literacy can empower communities, transform engagement, and support inclusive conflict resolution. Join us for this 30-minute online fireside conversation, where Dicky will highlight the importance of training local actors, embracing multi-faith perspectives, and moving from mono-religious to inclusive approaches. The session offers a powerful lens on how understanding lived religion can strengthen efforts toward peace and resilience in diverse, often fragile, settings.

Building on the October 2024 webinar “Sowing Seeds of Peace: The Role of IRD Organisations in Promoting Religious Literacy in Education as a Contribution to Peace”, this three-part follow-up series deepens the conversation by spotlighting religious literacy as a practical skillset for navigating complex societal challenges. Hosted in collaboration with the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, the series brings back three thought leaders from the original panel for focused 30-minute fireside discussions exploring how lived, contextual understandings of religion can shape diplomacy, transform conflict engagement, and foster inclusion in education.

Moderated by Dr Kate Soules, Executive Director of the Religion and Education Collaborative, each session offers actionable insights into how religious literacy builds empathy, critical thinking, and cross-cultural competence—skills essential for peaceful engagement in today’s world:

•    17 July with Professor Erin K Wilson (Diplomacy and Global Affairs) [info & registration]
•    21 July with Dicky Sofjan (Conflict & Interfaith Engagement)
•    24 July with Daniel Del Nido (Education & Inclusion) [info & registration]

SPEAKERS

Dicky Sofjan

Associate Professor in the Indonesian Consortium for Religious Studies (ICRS) Expert focusing on religion’s role in development, a prominent Indonesian scholar, intellectual-activist, and social entrepreneur. He is one of the leaders of an inter-religious consortium based in a Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), which a world leading center for religion and interreligious scholarship in Southeast Asia. His work spans the fields of religion and politics, Islam, religious literacy, social justice, nature, culture, sustainability, and spirituality. He has collaborated extensively with the Indonesian government, universities, NGOs, development agencies, and international organizations, including the Nippon Foundation, Ford Foundation, UNESCO, and the UNDP. He has held visiting professorships and fellowships in various countries and has spoken at numerous international conferences. Dr. Sofjan's interviews and publications have been featured in major international media outlets and scientific journals.

MODERATOR(S)

Kate Soules

Kate Soules is an education researcher and independent consultant specializing in religious literacy and religious diversity education. She is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Religion and Education Collaborative (REC), an interdisciplinary network of scholars and practitioners working at the intersections of religion and schooling. Kate’s work focuses on assessing and evaluating religious literacy education, teacher professional learning about religion, and the impacts of religious literacy education for both students and educators. She has collaborated with various organizations, including the Aspen Institute’s Religion and Society Program and the American Academy of Religion.

Where Zoom online

Time 02:00 PM Europe/Lisbon