Foundations of Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue: Global Perspectives
October 1, 2025 / 6 PM – 18.00 h
The Faculty of Protestant Theology and Religious Studies is pleased to invite you to an engaging and insightful webinar titled “Foundations of Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue: Global Perspectives.” This event seeks to foster a deeper understanding and collaboration across cultures and faith traditions by exploring the core principles, historical development, and international efforts shaping this important field. In a world that is increasingly interconnected yet polarised, interreligious and intercultural dialogue is crucial for building peaceful, inclusive, and resilient societies.
This webinar will equip participants with a solid foundation in the subject by highlighting key principles and notable historical milestones that have shaped global dialogue initiatives. We will also explore the vital role played by international organisations such as UNESCO and the United Nations, along with relevant international frameworks, in promoting mutual respect, understanding, and peaceful coexistence.
Furthermore, the session will highlight common challenges in implementing dialogue initiatives—such as overcoming prejudice, addressing power imbalances, and ensuring genuine representation—while also sharing best practices from successful programmes and experiences worldwide. This webinar is perfect for educators, researchers, students, policymakers, faith leaders, and anyone passionate about promoting peace and intercultural understanding. Join us to gain valuable insights, share ideas, and contribute to the global dialogue on peacebuilding. Together, we can build bridges across cultural and religious divides.
Dr. Elizabeta Kitanovic
Moderator
Professor,Faculty of Protestant Theology and Religious Studies (FPTR)
Prof. Dr Azza Karam
Founding President and CEO of Lead Integrity – the first women-led global consultancy firm dedicated to serving the common good, through the leadership, competence and integrity of professionals inspired by their (diverse) faiths. A member of the United Nations’ Secretary General High Level Advisory Board on Multilateralism, Karam has led US-based international NGOs (the Women’s Learning Partnership; the World Conference of Religions for Peace). She served at the United Nations for two decades: as Coordinator of the Arab Human Development Reports in UNDP; and founder and chair of the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Religion as well as its Multi Faith Advisory Council (MFAC); Designer and Lead Facilitator for the first UN system wide peer-to-peer “Strategic Learning Exchanges” on ‘Religion, Development and Diplomacy’ training hundreds of UN Officials, INGOs, donor representatives, diplomats, and academics.
Prior to the UN, she worked with the OSCE, the EU, and International IDEA in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and East and Central Asia, on democratization, human rights, sustainable development, and peacebuilding.
Affiliated to Notre Dame University’s Ansari Institute for Religion and Global Affairs, Karam is widely published and translated into multiple languages and awarded an Honorary Degree by John Cabot University in Rome.
Audrey E. Kitagawa, JD
Audrey E. Kitagawa, JD, is the President/Founder of the International Academy for Multicultural Cooperation, President of the Light of Awareness International Spiritual Family, and the former Advisor to the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict at the United Nations.
She is the Chair of the Anti-Racism Initiative, and Co-Chair of the Gender Equality Working Group of the G20 Interfaith Forum. She is a United Nations Representative for the United Religions Initiative, an Ambassador of Religions for Peace International, and Chair Emerita of the NGO Committee of Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns, NY.
She has been enstooled into the royal family as the Nekoso Hemaa, (i.e.Queen Mother of Development), of Ajiyamanti in Ghana, West Africa, and has a school which she helped to build named after her in her African name, the Nana Ode Anyankobea Junior Secondary School.
She wrote the chapter, Crossing World Views, The Power of Perspective in the Hawaii Japanese American Experience, which was published in a book about multiculturalism, communication and Asian women entitled, Learning In The Light. Her chapter, Globalization As The Fuel For Religious And Ethnic Conflict has been published in the book, Globalization And Identity, Cultural Diversity, Religion and Citizenship. Her article, The Role Of Identity In The Rise And Decline of Buddhism In Hawaii, The 50th State Of The United States Of America, has been published in Sambhodi, a Buddhist Journal. She published articles in World Affairs The Journal Of International Issues, entitled, The Power of Om: Transformation of Consciousness, and Practical Spirituality. She wrote the chapter, The US In Foreign Affairs: Source of Global Security, Or Source of Global Fear? in the book, America & The World The Double Bind.
She has been listed in Who’s Who Of American Law, Who’s Who Of American Women, Who’s Who In America, Who’s Who In The World, and Prominent People of Hawaii.
She is the recipient of the Medal “Pride of Eurasia” and a Diploma from the Republic of Kazakhstan Ministry of Education and Science L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University for her outstanding contribution to the development of spiritual culture and education in Eurasia.
She is the recipient of the Spirit of the UN Award which is given to outstanding individuals who have demonstrated the vision and spirit of the United Nations as expressed through the UN Charter, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
She is the recipient of a Citation from the Office of the President for the Borough of Brooklyn, City of New York, for her commitment to community well being by providing outstanding services and support to local residents, youth and those in need.
She was conferred an Honorary Interfaith Minister degree by the New Seminary.
Ravan Hasanov
Ravan Hasanov – Specialised in law from the University of Potsdam in Germany, successfully completed the Department of Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, and Criminology program. Defended his dissertation for PhD at the Institute of Law and Human Rights at Azerbaijan National Academy of Science, specializing in penal enforcement law. From March 2016 to April 2017 he worked as a senior specialist for the State Advisory Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on International, Multicultural and Religious Affairs, and from April to July 2017 he was a counselor. By the order of President Ilham Aliyev, in February 2019 Hasanov was appointed as Executive Director of the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre. He is the founder and editor-in-chief of the International Multiculturalism Journal. Also he is the organizer of a number of intercultural and interfaith dialogue platforms and youth programs.
Dr Brian Adams
Dr Brian Adams is the Chair of the governing board for A Common Word Among the Youth (ACWAY), an international NGO supporting youth leadership in interfaith and intercultural dialogue. He was founding director of the Centre for Interfaith & Cultural Dialogue in Brisbane, Australia and the architect of the G20 Interfaith Forum.
Zoom Registration:
YouTube Livestream:
Facebook Livestream:
