Introduction

Centre for Multireligious Studies (the present Contemporary Religion) is part of a global network of Centres with similar objectives. The cooperation takes a variety of forms, including Religion and Society. Cross-disciplinary European Perspectives. ESF Explorative Workshop

Cross Cultural Conversations

January 2006 CMS contributed to the organization of a high level seminar held in Delhi, India, in cooperation with the International Centre and the Habitat Centre. The seminar was organized by the Indian philosopher Dr. Anindita Balslev, an associate of CMS. A group of dedicated scholars, philosophers and theologians came together for three days of intensive exchange and dialogue. The aim of the project was to foster cross cultural conversations by gradually focusing on contemporary concerns, both secular and religious.

The findings of the seminar were published in a volume entitled, 'Toward Greater Human Solidarity: Options for a Plural World'. This collection of essays edited by Anindita C. Balslev can be had from the Indian publisher Dasgupta & Co, Kolkata, or directly from CMS

The Centre for Multireligious Studies is a centre dedicated to study and analysis of the multireligous situation as it develops in Denmark and globally. Therefore it was a welcome opportunity to engage in cross cultural conversations, a concept developed by Anindita Balslev.

ASEM Interfaith Dialogue:

Interfaith Understanding and Cooperation for a peaceful World

ASEM - Asia Europe Meeting - is a government co-operation organisation between a number of Asian and European countries, and the EU.

The director for the Centre for Multireligious Studies has been appointed by the Danish Ministry for Foreign Affairs as Denmark’s representative in this interfaith dialogue between Asian and European countries.

ASEM Interfaith Dialogue 2007

The third ASEM Interfaith Dialogue was held in July, 2007 in Nanjing, China.

Even though strong efforts are made to keep religion and politics separated, religion just pops up again and again and takes strange directions at times. We felt the inflammable substance of this dynamic under the Mohammed Crisis. Therefore, many countries want to keep an open eye on religious issues, and an invitation to dialogue is the best way to pursue this.

Likewise, Denmark as a nation wants to engage in organised, religious dialogues, such as those arranged by the Asia Europe Meetings (ASEM), a government co-operation organisation in order to promote the cooperation between Asia and Europe. Recently, the third meeting in a series of interfaith dialogues, was held in Nanjing, China. The Nanjing Statement is the result of this dialogue.

Denmark was represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and professor Viggo Mortensen, The Centre for Multireligious Studies (the present Centre for Contemporary Religion), who held a speech on Globalisation and Interfaith Dialogue.

/ July 4, 2007.

ASEM Interfaith Dialogues 2005-2006

The first ASEM Interfaith Dialogue took place in Bali 2005, jointly hosted by Indonesia and the United Kingdom.  Under the overall theme of “Unity in Diversity: Building Interfaith Harmony within the International Community” , religious and political leaders, academics and intellectuals from Asia and Europe discussed issues such as the role of education, culture, society and the media in promoting interfaith harmony.  They reached several conclusions, among which can be that the promotion of peace, justice, compassion and tolerance are key to building harmony within the international community and suggested measures towards reaching these goals.

Bali Declaration on Building Interfaith Harmony within the International Community

The recent crisis in interfaith and intercultural relations, spurred by the controversy surrounding the publication of drawings depicting the Prophet Mohammed, further accentuates the need for continued dialogue to improve our understanding of the historical, religious and cultural experiences of one another.

Cyprus, together with Malaysia, is hosting the second ASEM Interfaith Dialogue in Larnaca, from 3-5 July 2006 .  It is hoped that the ASEM Interfaith Dialogue will become an annual event, which will contribute substantially to the building of solid and sustainable bridges of dialogue and cooperation between people of different faiths, within ASEM, Europe and the world in general.

Following on from Bali, the second ASEM Interfaith Dialogue will deal with the issue of “Interfaith understanding and cooperation for a peaceful world”. Three parallel working groups will discuss practical ways of achieving Interfaith Understanding, the ever-topical subject of Media and the role of Religion in Multiethnic Societies.

The Larnaca Dialogue should take stock of the conclusions of Bali and progress made towards implementation of the first Dialogue’s recommendations.  Best practices should be discussed and evaluated vis-à-vis the current international environment, with a view to disseminating them amongst partners.

Building on what has been achieved since last year, we should now aim at taking things one step further.  The objective should be to identify ways in which people of different faiths in our two regions can move from harmony and understanding, through a solid and permanent dialogue, to fruitful and substantial cooperation, rather than mere side-by-side coexistence.  Long-lasting cooperation can, in turn, be a major contributor to global peace.

Viggo Mortensen
Centre for Contemporary Religion,
Professor, dr. theol.
Chair in Global Christianity and Ecumenical Concerns
The Faculty of Theology,
University of Aarhus, Building 443,
DK 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
vm@teo.au.dk
http://www.teo.au.dk
Tel. +45 8942 2311
Fax +45 86130490