Against a backdrop of rising polarisation and religiously motivated discrimination, the Latin America and Caribbean Conference on Fostering Cultures of Peace through  Interreligious Dialogue and Education held at the University for Peace (UPEACE) in Costa Rica brought together 23 leading voices representing policymakers, educators, religious leaders scholars and representatives of indigenous communities from across Latin America and the Caribbean to reaffirm the role of interreligious dialogue and education as pillars of social cohesion and sustainable peace.

Organised in partnership with UPEACE, Religions for Peace – Latin America and Caribbean, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, and the International Dialogue Centre – KAICIID, the two-day gathering is committed to confronting hate speech and strengthening inclusive societies through dialogue-based education. The event marked Costa Rica's 85^th anniversary of continuous religious education in its formal education system, underscoring a long-standing national commitment to interreligious learning.

Framed around recent UN General Assembly resolutions on the value of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, the event offered space for reflection, exchange, and forward planning, shifting the conversation from theory to practice. Sessions addressed four thematic areas, including mainstreaming interreligious dialogue in formal and non-formal education, innovative educational practices for social cohesion and inclusion, addressing hate speech through values-based learning and freedom of religion or belief.

The event reflected core KAICIID principles highlighted in the ASG’s speech: dialogue as a tool to heal societal fractures, education as a foundation for peace, and the essential role of religious leaders and communities in fostering empathy, mutual respect, and social cohesion. Examples shared included Fellows’ initiatives across Latin America, such as:

• Uruguay 2024 Fellow Nicolás Lerner’s “Al Encuentro del Otro” promoting youth engagement across faiths,

• Argentina 2024 Fellow Imam Marwan Gill and Dr. Miguel Steuermann’s Salam–Shalom, Peace is the Path initiative,

• Mexico 2022 Fellow Karen Castillo’s Voces y Miradas por la Paz, highlighting grassroots women leaders.

For KAICIID, the conference aligned closely with its mandate to support locally driven dialogue initiatives that counter division and nurture social trust. Through its longstanding engagement across the region, the Centre continues to build bridges between faith communities, educators, and policymakers to scale practical tools, strengthen networks, and ensure that dialogue is embedded not just as a value, but as a method for peacebuilding.

If we teach young people that difference is dangerous, we inherit fractured societies. If we teach them that difference is a source of richness, we inherit peace, read the opening remarks delivered on behalf of the Acting Secretary General of KAICIID, calling for education systems that empower future generations to live together in dignity and mutual respect.

The Centre also presented concrete examples from global initiatives to illustrate best practices in interreligious dialogue and peace education. Highlighted programs included the Ethics Education Fellowship, which has trained hundreds of teachers across Asia and Africa and reached thousands of children with values-based education promoting empathy, respect, and social cohesion. These examples were presented to help participants envision how similar approaches could be adapted to the Latin American and Caribbean context, This initiative is a result of the partnership between Arigatou International, the Guerrand-Hermès Foundation for Peace, the KAICIID International Dialogue Centre, the Muslim Council of Elders, the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, and the UNESCO New Delhi Cluster Office, in collaboration with the National Commissions for UNESCO of the participating countries.

The gathering also facilitated meaningful participation of several KAICIID Fellows from Latin America and the Caribbean. Their contributions highlighted local perspectives, shared experiences, and innovative practices in interreligious and ethics-based education, strengthening alumni engagement and creating opportunities for peer-to-peer learning across the region.

Held at a time when education systems are under pressure to respond to societal divides, the event highlighted how collaborative, values-based approaches can help prevent the escalation of religiously framed tensions. Participants called for greater investment in formal and non-formal education that promotes religious literacy, critical thinking, and cross-cultural understanding. A core outcome was the formation of an emerging expert group of 23 participants committed to advancing peace and interreligious education.

The conference concluded with a set of concrete recommendations aimed at influencing national policy, strengthening multistakeholder partnerships, and expanding the reach of dialogue-driven educational frameworks across the region. Stakeholders also underscored the urgency of coordinated regional action, not only to address local challenges but to contribute to a broader global movement for peace anchored in mutual respect and human dignity.

The Centre stands ready to continue collaborating with its MoU partners, UPEACE and Religions for Peace, and other regional stakeholders to scale interreligious and ethics-based education, strengthen social cohesion, and expand the reach of dialogue-driven initiatives across Latin America and the Caribbean. The shared vision encourages follow-up programs, policy engagement, and broader community outreach to ensure dialogue is embedded not only as a value but as a method for sustainable peace.