Indonesia, Peace promotion

Interfaith collaboration for peace and justice

Number: 225.1007

Alongside ethnicity, religious affiliation is one of the most important identifying factors in Indonesia. Mission 21 and its partner organisations aim to empower individuals to develop peaceful relationships based on equal rights across religious boundaries, to join together to prevent violent conflicts, and to disempower fundamentalist groups. Interfaith networks that mostly comprise young adults have been established at local, regional and national levels in this project, which is organised decentrally. They advocate peaceful coexistence in action. They advance the case for religious tolerance and acceptance of diversity in schools and universities by mounting high-profile campaigns that transcend religious and ethnic divides. These interfaith youth networks collaborate by launching initiatives to overcome social problems such as poverty and the destruction of the environment, thereby diminishing the potential for conflict and violence.

Activities

Through its contributions to interfaith activities, Mission 21 makes it possible for participants to set up interfaith groups and projects in their own environments. In this way, Mission 21 is contributing towards peaceful coexistence in multi-faith Indonesia. Examples of activities:

Interfaith youth camps with an active alumni network
'Religion Expo' where religious communities and religion-based organisations are present with stands and activities
Continuing interfaith training courses for teachers of religious and civic studies
Campaigns for tolerance and pluralism in the public domain, and via social media
Interfaith strengthening of women in the business sector
Strengthening young peace ambassadors with a focus on the implementation of human and civil rights, and on non-violent conflict transformation
Writing competition, production of books and videos with young peace ambassadors
Ongoing training and exchange of experience between alumni networks of all partner organisations
Intensive studies on Islam with encounter activities in Muslim boarding schools

Outlook: expanding the project

The project described above is to be expanded during its current phase in order to expand the activities of young people in the interfaith networks. The interfaith networks and platforms for dialogue will be strengthened in various regions.

In the first instance, donations will be channelled to the basic project described above. If adequate financing is available, additional activities are envisaged. For more information about the project expansion please do not hesitate to contact us.