On 26 September, the newly founded Dialogue Centre, headquartered in the Austrian capital, provided a robust platform on which prominent policy makers, researchers and practitioners in the field of intercultural education, from across Asia and the Gulf region, examined how religion and faith-based learning can promote peace and understanding. Of particular focus was the role of education in advancing the universal values shared by all religions.

The one-day workshop was designed to strengthen regional cooperation; address gaps in intercultural education and seek solutions for problems encountered in the implementation phase. Also examined were the role of the state and NGOs, as well as that of policymakers in effective intercultural education. Participants noted that in order for interreligious education to be inclusive and effective, a greater focus on the integral role of women in religion was required. They also drew attention to the need to invest in training of educators and for the expanded use of creative and innovative methodologies.