The Crucial Role of Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue in Migrant and Refugee Inclusion

As Europe continues to grapple with the challenges of migration and integration, the Network for Dialogue (N4D) platform supported by the International Dialogue Centre – KAICIID, has emerged a pivotal actor in fostering social cohesion. By leveraging interreligious and intercultural dialogue, this initiative has been bridging gaps between diverse communities and promoting the inclusion of migrants and refugees. This year marks a significant milestone for N4D as it celebrates its 5th anniversary, coinciding with the recently concluded KAICIID Global Dialogue Forum in Lisbon that brought together world leaders to address pressing global issues.

The Network for Dialogue: A Beacon of Hope

The Network for Dialogue is a pioneering platform in Europe dedicated to fostering interreligious and intercultural dialogue for the social inclusion of migrants and refugees. Supported by the International Dialogue Centre - KAICIID, this Europe-wide network gathers faith-based and secular actors to enhance the social inclusion of refugees and migrants in hosting communities. The uniqueness of the Network for Dialogue lies in its use of interreligious and intercultural dialogue as the main tool for promoting social inclusion across Europe.

The Network for Dialogue was established based on recommendations from the 2017 Experts Workshop on Interreligious Education in Europe, co-hosted by KAICIID and the European Commission Representation in Austria. Following this workshop, the planning retreat meeting took place in September 2018 in Hinterbrühl, Austria, with the official launch in March 2019 in Bologna, Italy. The Network has grown from 11 members in 2019 to 28 members from 16 European countries. It brings together faith-based organizations (FBOs), international organizations, academics, religious leaders, secular organizations, and other key actors to share experiences, information, and knowledge.

For Europe to become a more inclusive continent, trust must be built within many communities. Intercultural and interreligious dialogue are essential tools for local authorities to foster positive interactions between majority populations and refugees and migrants. They are also crucial for addressing the current wave of populism, hate speech, and discrimination that plague many parts of Europe. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to facilitating trust-building in Europe, the process is supported when public authorities engage with refugees and migrants, viewing them as assets and enrichments to their communities.

In 2024, a refugee-led organization, We Literate from London, and Foro Abraham from Madrid, supported by Initiatives of Change UK, implemented a workshop titled "Harmony in a World of Crisis: An Intergenerational Perspective." This event, hosted in celebration of the UN’s World Interfaith Harmony Week, rejoiced in the principles of tolerance, dialogue, and cooperation among different faith communities. Participants engaged in discussions to uncover innovative solutions that promote better integration and social cohesion in Europe. This event underscores the vital role of community outreach and volunteering in building bridges between communities, facilitating deeper understanding and cooperation among diverse groups.

Mission and Vision of the Network for Dialogue: The Network for Dialogue is committed to leveraging civil society actors, including faith-based and secular organizations, to promote dialogue as a fundamental tool for social inclusion. Its mission supports these organizations to actively use dialogue at the grassroots level, fostering inclusion of refugees and migrants through dialogical encounters and training. This creates a culture of understanding in our societies and contributes to policies addressing key migration issues. The vision of the Network for Dialogue (N4D) is a society that embraces the inclusion of refugees and migrants, enriching communities.

Importance of Dialogue: Dialogue bridges gaps between diverse communities, fostering mutual understanding, respect, and tolerance—crucial for the successful integration of migrants and refugees into European societies. Network for Dialogue members use dialogue in their daily work with refugees and migrants. Through various training and learning experiences, members have enhanced their knowledge in interreligious and intercultural dialogue, implementing projects as part of the microgrant initiatives supported by KAICIID. They have learned key techniques of dialogue, how to conduct dialogical sessions with diverse groups, and how to create safe spaces where everyone is supported to share and express the challenges they face in the integration process.

Dialogue creates opportunities for migrants, refugees, and members of the host community to interact in a safe and respectful environment. It encourages the exchange of cultural knowledge, traditions, and values. Migrants and refugees bring rich cultural diversity to European societies, and dialogue provides an opportunity for them to share their cultural heritage with the host community. By learning about each other's cultures, individuals develop a deeper appreciation for diversity and celebrate the contributions of migrants and refugees to their new communities.

European Policy Dialogue Forum: The European Policy Dialogue Forum (EPDF) is an annual platform organized by KAICIID and the Network for Dialogue, where stakeholders from various sectors converge to discuss and develop effective social inclusion policies. The First Policy Forum was held in Athens in October 2019. The EPDF allows Network members to engage with policymakers, religious leaders, and civil society, addressing key issues related to refugee and migrant inclusion. Network members share challenges faced by grassroots actors, such as inclusive education, active participation of refugees and migrants, building trust at the local level, and countering hate speech in the media. These themes have been transformed into policy briefs published by N4D. Over five editions, Network members presented the work of N4D to a wider European audience, working towards more effective migration and integration policies in Europe.

Impact and Success Stories

Until 2024, Network members successfully implemented nine joint microgrant projects, catalyzing collaboration across Europe on diverse themes related to hate speech, education, empowerment of refugee and migrant voices, interreligious dialogue for social inclusion, and intergenerational dialogue at the local level. These projects provided opportunities to apply knowledge gained through the Network’s activities and share experiences from their own organizations. Network for Dialogue microgrant projects have supported religious and community actors in enhancing dialogue and social inclusion of refugees and migrants across Europe, both online and offline.

Celebrating Five Years of Impact

To mark its 5th anniversary, N4D today May 24, 2024, hosted a roundtable consultation titled "Religion and Migration: Building Bridges of Inclusion across Europe" in Palermo, Italy. This event has gathered religious leaders, practitioners, and policymakers to reflect on the role of faith actors in creating safe spaces for dialogue and promoting mutual understanding​​.

In today's opening session, diverse array of speakers, including high-profile religious leaders and experts in migration  such us; Ms. Leyla Kayacik, Former Special Representative on Migration and Refugees at the Council of Europe, Mr. Abdullahi Mire, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency 2023 Nansen Refugee Award Winner, and Mr. Ferrandelli Fabrizio, representative of the City of Palermo gave key remarks. Discussions focused on the added value of an interfaith approach to migrant integration and the transformative power of dialogue in fostering cohesive and inclusive communities.

Key highlights from the session included appreciation of the Network's work on building bridges across diverse communities, connecting grassroots actors with policymakers, and harnessing the transformative power of interreligious and intercultural dialogue. Palermo’s local authorities also expressed deep appreciation for the Network for Dialogue’s pivotal work. Considering Palermo's rich multicultural and multireligious heritage, the City representative invited the Network to host continued efforts and future activities in this vibrant city.

The anniversary celebration also included a cultural performance and the launch of a commemorative video highlighting N4D's achievements over the past five years​​.

Highlights from the KAICIID Global Dialogue Forum in Lisbon

Recently, KAICIID hosted the Global Dialogue Forum in Lisbon, bringing together stakeholders from around the world to discuss the role of dialogue in addressing global challenges. The forum underscored the importance of interreligious and intercultural dialogue in promoting peace, justice, and reconciliation. Participants shared insights on best practices and innovative approaches to dialogue that can be applied to various contexts, including the integration of migrants and refugees.

One of the key outcomes of the forum was the emphasis on the necessity of dialogue in preventing and resolving conflicts. KAICIID's unique position, combining the efforts of states and religious leaders, enables it to serve as a powerful platform for fostering cooperation and understanding among diverse communities​​.

Looking Ahead: A Call to Action

As N4D celebrates its 5th anniversary and reflects on its journey, it calls for broader participation from civil society actors across Europe. The Network encourages collaboration and welcomes new members who share its mission and vision. Through platforms like the European Policy Dialogue Forum, N4D continues to engage with policymakers and religious leaders to influence positive changes in society​​​​.

The success stories emerging from N4D's microgrant projects and the impactful discussions at the KAICIID Global Dialogue Forum highlight the transformative power of dialogue. By embracing the principles of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, we can create a more inclusive and harmonious Europe, celebrating the rich cultural diversity that migrants and refugees bring to our communities.

In conclusion, the Network for Dialogue and KAICIID exemplify the critical role of dialogue in building bridges between diverse communities. As we celebrate N4D's 5th anniversary and reflect on the insights gained from the KAICIID Global Dialogue Forum, let us renew our commitment to fostering understanding, respect, and cooperation through dialogue. Together, we can create a brighter future for all.

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