Everything starts with dialogue - cross-sectoral PBA on interfaith dialogue & youth work
Main Info
TCA Description
3days parnership building activity will give professionals a chance to better understand what interfaith dialogue is, reflect on their practices and create bridges for international cooperation.
Theme:
Religion is often seen as a source of difference and conflict, but does it have to be that way? In a world where (religious) identity often divides, we seek to explore the potential of religion as a solution and a catalyst for cultural diplomacy. Interfaith dialogue is becoming increasingly recognised by governments and institutions, as crucial for building cohesive communities. By perceiving interfaith dialogue as a positive resource and engaging in it meaningfully, we can build bridges across diverse communities, promote understanding, respect and peace.
What is interfaith dialogue and how can we address it is important question that we want to tackle with this partnership building activity.
We want to create space for reflection and putting our own, social and organisational attitudes and practices under the magnifying glass. We’ll have a closer look at the basic elements of interfaith dialogue, its potential and limits in the youth work and other sectors. The partnership building should allow professionals to question each other’s way of working and look for the ways to create bridges and build new practices.
We want to discuss the pressing matters and challenges affecting interfaith dialogue and get inspired to make our programmes and organisations more inclusive and embracing of human differences.
The seminar builds on 5 ID Talks webinars, seminar in Austria and a study visit in Malta in 2024 and a training course in Morocco, May 2025. Our new publication "Power of interfaith dialogue" is available here.
Aim of the interfaith dialogue cycle:
To develop professionals 'diversity management’ skills in order to create better opportunities for young people faced with or at risk of religious discrimination.
Objectives of the PBA:
- To explore different realities and provide opportunities for cooperation and networking by exploring funding opportunities, like Erasmus+ & European Solidarity Corps programmes.
- To reflect on personal system of believes, structural issues and organisational practices in order to identify similarities and space for international cooperation on interfaith dialogue.
- To provide opportunities for finding a common-ground for cross-sectoral networking on interfaith dialogue.
- To strengthen inter-faith dialogue and anti-discriminatory behaviours and practices among youth professionals.
PBA is co-organised by SALTO Inclusion & Diversity and Polish National Agency for the E+ and ESC programme.
20 (arrival by 18h in the hotel) - 24 October (departure after breakfast) 2025, 3 working days, Białystok, Poland
Bialystok with its nearly 300 000 inhabitans, is the biggest city of north-eastern Poland and the capital of Podlasian Province. It plays a role of administrative, scientific, economic and cultural centre of this part of Poland. Podlasie region is called "The Green Lungs of Poland" – it is ecologically clean and full of tourist attractions. Four national parks and three landscape parks are located within the city. Its pecific character has been shaped by the coexistence of many nations, religions, cultures, customs and traditions.
Białystok has for centuries been a multicultural, multinational and multireligious city where the Poles, Belarussians, Lithuanians, Jews, Tatars, Germans and Russians co-existed. This shaped the city’s specificity epitomized by its openness, hospitality and friendliness, and contributed to the richness of its cultural life. Moreover, the multinational character of the place inspired the works on a universal global language initiated by Ludwik Zamenhof, the locally born inventor of Esperanto.
Partners and participants
Max 60 professionals from different sectors (Youth, School Education, Vocational Education and Training, Higher Education and Adult Education), working directly with people at risk of religious discrimination on a regular basis. This includes youth workers/leaders, project coordinators, teachers, coaches, religious leaders/representatives of religious institutions, social and health workers, employment officers… interested in fostering positive dialogue, understanding diverse perspectives and contributing to community and peace-building initiatives. Believers, atheists, doubters or seekers.
- Participants who work with people with different religious, faith or spiritual beliefs and/or minority and migrant background, will be given priority.
- Motivated and having capacity to develop international project(s) addressing interfaith dialogue.
- Having experience with the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes is not essential, but desirable.
- Able to work in (international) English.
- From E+: YiA Programme and Partner countries
Pending booked places
Accepted places