KAICIID Partners Commit to Unprecedented and Sustained Dialogue in Field of Education

VIENNA, November 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

http://www.kaiciid.org

· KAICIID announces first-of-its-kind Global Policy Network

· Global Forum in Vienna concludes with partnership announcements with: African Union, ISESCO, World Scouts Foundation and UNESCO

· Secretary General of KAICIID pays tribute to the devastation unfolding in the Philippines

The KAICIID Global Forum on the Image of the Other in Interreligious and Intercultural Education, organised by Vienna-based dialogue centre KAICIID concluded today with the announcement of cooperation agreements between KAICIID and several international partners, including the African Union, the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), the World Scouts Foundation, and UNESCO.

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The agreements are designed to enhance cooperation between KAICIID and these partners in the field of dialogue and other areas of joint interest. KAICIID will cooperate with ISESCO on dialogue training courses for Imams, Muslim scholars and religious leaders while KAICIID will work with the World Scout Foundation on dialogue training initiatives with interfaith Scout leaders.

In his opening speech to the 500 delegates attending the Forum, the Secretary General of KAICIID, Faisal Bin Muaammar paid tribute to the devastation unfolding in the Philippines:

"In tragedies like this, we clearly see the connections between our communities. We may be of many different religions in this room, and of many different cultures, but our hearts are united with our brothers and sisters in the Philippines."

Of the Forum, he said: "Young people and education is a core area we have to tackle if we are to improve understanding and build better relationships to lessen the temptations of extremism…we have listened, learned, and acted as a hub where knowledge and best practice from around the world can come together and be shared."

On the subject of the cooperation, UNESCO said it was "pleased to frame a cooperation agreement with this important international organization."

KAICIID announced the launch of its Global Policy Network, the first of its kind in interreligious education bringing together representatives from Ministries of Education, Religious Affairs and Integration from around the world who will convene to discuss interreligious and intercultural issues in formal and non-formal education. The Global Policy Network presents an unparalleled platform for decision-makers to take part in discussions on policies relating to education in a world of increasing religious and cultural diversity.

SOURCE KAICIID