The International Dialogue Centre – KAICIID and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR) have formalized their commitment to fostering peace, social cohesion, and mutual understanding with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The ceremony marks a milestone in the collaboration between the two organizations, building on their shared objectives of promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue as instruments for peace.

The ASEAN-IPR, established in 2012, serves as a dedicated institution for research, capacity building, and support on issues of peace, reconciliation, and conflict management in the ASEAN region. Since their first collaboration in 2020, KAICIID and ASEAN-IPR have successfully partnered on a range of initiatives, including on empowering women and youth in building sustainable peace, tailored training programs on interreligious and intercultural dialogue (IRD/ICD) for ASEAN state officials, and the development of a specialized IRD/ICD manual. The signing of this MoU represents a continuation and expansion of these joint efforts.

Overarching Objectives and Priority Areas

The MoU reaffirms the organizations’ commitment to advancing mutual understanding, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence, ultimately contributing to a culture of peace. It highlights several potential areas of cooperation, including:

• Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue for Peace: Enhancing social cohesion through inclusive dialogue frameworks.
• Women, Peace, and Security (WPS): Empowering women as key stakeholders in peacebuilding.
• Countering Hate Speech: Addressing misinformation and disinformation, particularly in digital spaces, leveraging ICT.

A Legacy of Cooperation: Quotes from Leadership

Speaking at the virtual signing ceremony, Dr. Zuhair Alharthi, Secretary General of KAICIID, emphasized the enduring value of the partnership: “Together, through our joint efforts, we have been cultivating intercultural and interreligious dialogue in the region. This MoU not only strengthens our collaboration but also opens new avenues for cooperation to build a more inclusive and peaceful world.”

Ambassador I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, Executive Director of ASEAN-IPR, echoed this sentiment, noting , "As an institute mandated to be ASEAN’s hub for research on peace, conflict management, and resolution, ASEAN-IPR also serves as a knowledge hub, fostering networks with like-minded institutions regionally and globally. This mission has led us to establish a meaningful partnership with the KAICIID. As we reaffirm our commitment to this collaboration, it is with great pleasure that we deepen our relationship through the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding—a promising new beginning for both our organizations."

Looking Ahead

The MoU underscores both organizations' commitment to incorporating cross-cutting themes such as gender equality, human rights, and youth participation into their activities. The cooperation will include joint research, capacity-building initiatives, and conferences designed to support policymakers and other stakeholders in the ASEAN region.

The partnership reflects a shared vision for a harmonious, inclusive, and resilient society and sets a benchmark for global peacebuilding efforts.