South Asia is home to some of the most religiously diverse countries in the world; however, intercommunal tensions have escalated into acts of violence, such as the attacks in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday 2019. KAICIID facilitates exchanges among religious leaders and faith-based organizations in South and South-East Asia, which are designed to help communities find common solutions to shared problems, such as violent extremism, intercommunal conflict, marginalisation and displacement.

KAICIID’s programmatic work engages religious actors in dialogue, builds their capacity to promote inclusive peace and promotes their collaboration with policymakers and civil society leaders to foster social cohesion.

The Centre’s flagship Fellows programme has trained numerous religious leaders and dialogue practitioners from the region, both through the international programme and the South-East Asia regional cohort.

KAICIID has also convened Buddhist and Muslim leaders to engage in dialogues addressing hate speech, protection of holy sites, and inclusive education.

In Myanmar, KAICIID has supported the Paungsie Metta Initiatives (PMI), one of the largest and most influential interreligious dialogue networks in the country, working to protect marginalised groups and religious minorities. The network is multireligious, led by representatives from the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Muslim communities, as well as civil society leaders.

Discrimination, conflict, the destruction of sacred sites and the environment are all problems with deep roots and many dimensions, which specific actors from different disciplines may be best-placed to counter. For that reason, the promotion of consultation and collaboration between different individuals, groups and sectors are an important way for KAICIID to help.

With its unique structure, the Centre acts as a convener for religious actors and policymakers, fostering an essential exchange between both groups in light of growing polarization which challenges social cohesion in European societies. In order to do so successfully, it is vital to bring on board all relevant stakeholders in the European context.

Through the Regional Collaboration and Networking Programme (RCN), the Centre is establishing and building informal relationships with Europe-based international organizations. They include the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), which is offering its support to parts of the Social Cohesion Initiative, the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency.

Since its establishment KAICIID has emphasised building and maintaining active and diverse partnerships, both among other international organizations as well as with regional and domestic-level institutions. Cross-collaboration has vastly enriched the quality and scope of the Centre’s work. The diverse RCN portfolio includes faith-based organizations (FBOs), academic institutions, national governments and municipalities.

Among interfaith organizations, the Centre has teamed up with the European Council of Religious Leaders / Religion for Peace Europe, the United Religions Initiative and the European Interfaith Youth Network on its countering hate speech project.

Additionally, KAICIID provides financial and expert contributions to strengthen the work of the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, the International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development, and the Joint Learning Initiative. Another key aspect of the RCN programme is providing active support to networks which encourage and provide the space for interreligious and cross-sectoral dialogue.

In Europe, the Centre has provided start-up as well as ongoing support for the Muslim-Jewish Leadership Council (MJLC) and its informal component, the European Muslim Leaders’ Majlis (EuLeMa).

Recognising the important role young people play in contributing to the strengthening of social cohesion and peaceful coexistence within their communities, KAICIID actively promotes interreligious and intercultural dialogue among youth. The Centre’s flagship training, the Dialogue for Peace (DfP) programme, was developed in close cooperation with the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM) and was created for and with the help of young people.

KAICIID sees young people as future changemakers; therefore, the DfP programme aims to equip participants with the tools needed to meaningfully participate in building a culture of dialogue, contribute to reconciliation efforts, and dispel stereotypes within their societies and beyond. The programme also seeks to support the spiritual development aspect of youth programming within Scouting.

Refugees and migrants are facing a challenging political and social climate in Europe that inhibits their social inclusion into host communities. Popularised misperceptions give the impression that refugees and migrants potentially pose a threat to fundamental European values such as freedom of religion, democracy and gender equality.

There is the need for effective measures and sustainable policies to have a dignified life and increase their active participation, which is why in 2021, KAICIID expanded its programming to the European continent to address the multiple long-term consequences of the 2015 refugee crisis and the complex challenges presented by European migration.

KAICIID recognises that successful integration is vital for preventing newcomers from becoming “outsiders,” which can endanger the fabric of society. For that purpose, it is paramount to allow for authentic experiences of belonging and wellbeing, enhance their opportunities in participating in society and avoid processes of discrimination and exclusion that can lead to the establishment of parallel societies.

Newcomers and members of host societies need more contact points and shared spaces to effectively move forward toward a successful two-way integration. Interreligious and intercultural dialogue can help foster mutual understanding to better understand one another’s cultural context, including one’s religious background. Ultimately, integration and inclusion can and should be a win-win process, benefiting all of society.