Religions for Peace: Generations in Dialogue By Harshita Jain

Religions for Peace: Generations in Dialogue

Harshita Jain

Harshita is a senior at Rutgers University studying Biomedical Engineering and Business Administration, and is passionate about service and social innovation, as well as Jainism and Jain education. She has previously served on the YJA Daytime Convention Committee (2020) and YJA Executive Board as Director of Education (2019-21). Harshita is currently involved with the YJA PR Convention Committee (2022), and serves on the Jain Academic Bowl (JAB) admin team and the Rutgers University Jain Association as co-President. She loves traveling, running, and taking photos in her free time. You can reach Harshita with questions, feedback, and Jainism learnings at harshita.jain@yja.org.

The pilot’s voice came in through the flight’s announcement system. As I put my seatbelt on and pulled out the book I brought to read on the upcoming journey, it hit me - I really was about to embark on my first solo international trip.

A few months prior, I had been invited to attend the Conference of the World Council of Religious Leaders on Faith and Diplomacy: Generations in Dialogue. An interfaith conference organized by Religions for Peace (RFP), an entity affiliated with the United Nations, and the Religion and Foreign Policy Department of the German Federal Foreign Office, this annual event brings together faith leaders and diplomatic officials in a space meant to foster open discussion and collaboration with regards to interreligious affairs. I would be attending as a youth participant on behalf of Jainism and the Young Jains of America organization (YJA).

After landing, a shuttle bus took me and a few other passengers who came in on the same flight to our hotels. We drove through the hills of Switzerland, a few small towns in Austria, and into southern Germany all within an hour. After putting our things down at our hotel, we caught a ride to the Inselhalle, or “island hall,” where we checked in for the conference and had lunch. The weather was beautiful, and I spent the remainder of the afternoon walking around Lindau, seeing the Bavaria Lion and lighthouse, and having fruit sorbet in town.

After an introductory address early the next morning by RFP Secretary General Professor Azza Karam, the four-day conference officially began. Sessions ranged from keynote addresses to panel debates, and from focused roundtable discussions to lightning talks by young changemakers. Below are a few programming highlights.

Day 1: Faith, Diplomacy and Public Health

COVID-19 and its global effects, as well as the role of faith and diplomatic actors in combating misinformation and promoting positive public health practices, were discussed on this day.

Day 2: Peace and Security

How could interreligious dialogue contribute to peace in territories and countries plagued by violence? As one speaker put it: “If you don’t want religion to be part of the problem, it must be part of the solution.”

Day 3: Environment

We conversed about the shared climate conflict that all communities would feel the effects of if action was not taken. A comprehensive document calling for change was drafted.

Day 4: Humanitarianism

On the final half-day, the urgent and pertinent humanitarian crisis affecting Afghanistan was brought to the spotlight. RFP acknowledged the need for, and went on to develop action items to put out a statement against the state of affairs in the country.

Listening to and participating in so many conversations gave me access to novel frameworks and approaches I could bring to challenges I faced in the United States. In between high-powered discourse, I was able to interact with people in all kinds of diplomatic and religious roles over hot chocolate and vegan desserts. I left the conference with new ideas, insights, and information beyond anything I could have imagined. I also left with friends from countries around the world - Sweden, Monaco, Jerusalem, Spain, and more - and German chocolate for my siblings back home.

Posing for a selfie with my friends from around the world (I am the fourth person from the right)

And while traveling to Germany was an experience in itself, I learned several lessons and met some incredible people from all walks of life during the time there. I wanted to quickly share three of my takeaways.

1. There is so much for our community to learn and share when it comes to other organizations and religious institutions, and the way they have built strong, peaceful, and accepting communities. Interfaith dialogue is central to achieving that.

2. Service to the Jain community through Sadharmik Bhakti is matched in importance by service to the larger community. Seeing others implementing programs and volunteering to help those beyond their religion, as well as how much good they were able to achieve, was an indication of how much good we can do, as well.

3. Presence on the international stage is key. So many people I talked to didn’t know about Jainism, but were keen to learn more about our principles and lifestyle. By being a part of these conversations, we can contribute to worldwide efforts in issues such as public health, environmentalism, and more through the lens of Jain teachings.

Of course, I say all these with the caveat that we should seek guidance from Maharaj Sahebs in coordinating such efforts to ensure we do so properly.

One final takeaway: Conversations can be so powerful. It is by sharing one’s story and one’s voice that others can better understand their experiences and background and be more empathetic as a result.

Time and time again, I was reminded of the privileges I am so much more grateful for today. I met people who faced the threats of civil war and religious persecution, and of political turmoil and security infringement, every single day of their lives. The problems I face are so different from theirs, and it was not until I interacted with and learned from them that I began to understand the issues we must work together to overcome. Speaking to officials and students and leaders and activists over those four days irrevocably changed my mindset for the better, and for that, I am thankful.

On a personal note, I wanted to thank Mamta Aunty (Dr. Mamta Shaha, Chair, JAINA Women’s Committee) for sharing this opportunity with YJA and therefore giving me the chance to have this experience.

In addition to the lesson shared, I also was able to develop a greater sense of empathy by hearing from and interacting with those of other backgrounds and faiths and returned motivated to create positive change myself. I am hopeful that more Jain youth will get the chance to experience something similar in the near future!

Find a summary of the event here: https://www.rfp.org/conference-of-the-worldcouncil-of-religious-leaders-on-faith-anddiplomacy-generations-in-dialogue-eventsummary/

Find a quick video with clips from my travel journey here: https://youtu.be/eg4HuY7i8n4

If anything I said may have gone against the teachings of Mahavir Bhagwan, I humbly ask for forgiveness. Michhami Dukkadam!