Intercultural Learning Needs Interfaith Dialogue
Earlier this year, AFS was asked by the Brookings Institution to provide input and ideas for a possible large scale global citizenship education project that is being considered by Roman Catholic leader Pope Francis. While the outcomes of this project are still being decided, just having a major religious leader express interest in the interfaith dimension of intercultural learning is encouraging — and sorely needed.
Institutions of faith are critical but often under-recognized actors in the learning to live together movement. Many of our most fundamental values — especially around what’s considered “good,” “bad,”and other issues of morality — are deeply and unconsciously rooted in the spiritual beliefs of our families and communities. For billions of people around the world, these important lessons are first learned and discussed in temples, mosques, churches, and other places of worship.
Despite this, the voices of religious leaders have largely been absent in intercultural events and debates, and the perspectives of non-formal educators like AFS, who facilitate these discussions, are often not included in religious circles.
Paris. Tunis. Crimea. South Carolina. Pakistan. Syria. Copenhagen. Myanmar. El Salvador. Nigeria. Durban. Everywhere, everyday, at any given moment, we can point to an example that makes it tragically clear that we must make room at the intercultural and global citizenship education table for interfaith discussions.
AFS does not advocate religiosity or any one faith, but recognizes how crucial this dimension is to peace and productivity. Facilitating successful interfaith dialogues is a critical tool that supports of our mission to provide people with essential intercultural competencies for the modern world. With this in mind, AFS pledges to put more emphasis on the role of religion in intercultural learning as we enhance our student program curriculum (a project scheduled to launch in 2016).
AFS Intercultural Link Magazine now has a new name and a refreshing interactive digital format. Our new name, Connect: Intercultural Insights for Global Citizens, reflects both our long-standing commitment to connect individuals and cultures and our more recent focus to convene an increasingly diverse community of advocates. Going digital also provides the perfect platform to discuss and debate the critical intercultural issues of today and tomorrow.
This issue of Connect explores the topic of interfaith and global citizenship education.
In this issue:
Learn about what skills are needed for interfaith dialogue provided by our very own AFSer, David Blythe who served on multiple national boards of the American Baptist Churches USA and is currently on the Board of ABC Metro New York and the Chair of the Board of the American Baptist Extension Corporation. You should also try out our simple but effective activity that simulates an multifaith “meetup.” This activity is designed to be used in the classroom, after school or with adults. Hear from one AFSer about his experience walking in someone else’s shoes as he fasted for a day during the holy Muslim season of Ramadan. Then, zoom back in time to read how World War II AFS ambulance drivers from the UK documented and discussed different faiths during their experiences in Lebanon.
Award-winning journalist and creator of The Civil Conversations Project, Krista Tippett is someone who has brought together people from different faiths for many years. Her in-depth interviews with religious leaders and philosophers such as the 14th Dalai Lama, Khaled Abou El Fadl, Thich Nhat Hanh, Elie Wiesel and Jean Vanier made her an excellent choice for our own expert interview on this topic.
And, as usual, we bring you news from around the AFS global network: Be inspired by declarations from the recent AFS International Youth Volunteer Forum that took place in Argentina and discover how AFS Costa Rica and AFS Italy are working together to provide schools in their countries intercultural learning tools, trainings and more. Meet Heidy Utami, an AFS education specialist from Indonesia and find out how you can get involved with Intercultural Dialogue Day this year.
Enjoy our new interactive format. We invite you to share your comments, post, tweet (remember to tag your social media posts with #AFSeffect) or even send us a good old-fashioned email to let us know what you think.
Towards more just and peaceful world,
Melissa Liles, Chief Education Officer AFS Intercultural Programs
