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Advancing Inter-Religious Dialogue Project (SEA-AIR) Initiates Research and Fellowship Activities To Enhance Freedom of Religion or Belief - FoRB in South and Southeast Asia Philip Gassert he summer of 2019 saw the first major activities for The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers (The Network) European Union-funded consortium project “Southeast Asia – Advancing InterReligious Dialogue and Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) (SEAAIR).” The activities contributed to the project’s overall objective of creating a conducive environment for protecting FoRB and peaceful co-existence of communities with different religious affiliations throughout Southeast Asia. In July, The Network conducted an Expert Seminar, which included 23 participants from four South and Southeast Asian countries representing areas of expertise related to FoRB such as gender, Islamophobia, hate speech, and international human rights law. World Faiths Development Dialogue (WFDD) produced a summary brief on FoRB in South and Southeast Asia, as well as five country-specific FoRB briefs to lay the foundation for the topics discussed at the seminar. Participants paid particular attention in country to regional analysis to topics such as majorityminority relations, spreading of hate speech, religious nationalism and the role of women, and their link to FoRB. The objectives and methodology were a part of a larger aim to make positive contributions to achieving Sustainable Development Goals 5 and 16. “Religion’s for Peace (RFP) and its local affiliate Institute of Human Rights and Peace (IHRP) Studies at Mahidol University were the lead organizations for this activity. RfP/IHRP drafted the seminar agenda and concept note, with input from all
other consortium members: WFDD, Finn Church Aid (FCA), Sathirakoses-Nagapradipa Foundation (SNF)/ International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB) and Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW).” The Expert Seminar served primarily as a platform for researchers, human rights activists and peace practitioners who currently work to promote and protect FoRB in South and Southeast Asia to exchange and share their experience and research. The main objectives of the seminar were: 1) to draw on cutting edge global research and methods about FoRB and social cohesion and its applicability to the Southeast and South Asian regions, as well as expertise and knowledge; 2) to explore recommendations and advice for stakeholders, which will help the development of in-depth resources, such as policy papers, and inform the project and overall methods for implementing FoRB and social cohesion activities, as well as future research initiatives for all participants; 48
