The conference organized by Centre for Interfaith & Cultural Dialogue explored the normative and practical leadership roles of faith communities, universities, and the Commonwealth of Nations itself under the theme: “Sustainable Peace and Development in a Polarizing World: Perspectives and Contributions from the Commonwealth of Nations.”
In a period of tumultuous change across the globe driven by factors such as the far-reaching impacts of climate change, political and economic upheavals of Brexit, US withdrawal from international leadership coupled with the rise of Chinese transnational organizations, persistent international terrorism, and widening political and social polarization, this wave of change is restructuring how the world works.
The conference was for three days with an opening inaugural session on the evening participants arrived followed by two days dedicated to discussions and dialogue with internationally recognized leaders from business, politics, media, education, religious communities and civil society. The key speakers at the conference were Maha Sinnathamby, Prof. Singh, Brian Adams, James Christie, Munir Khasru, Senator Claire Moore, Carol Angir, Hassan Saeed and others.
Conference presentations and working group sessions were focused on Role of Commonwealth of Nations Today, Academic Freedom and Extremism: How to support free thinking while combatting extremists, Interfaith/Intercultural Dialogue and Economic Development, Sports and Interreligious Understanding, Conflict Resolution, UN Sustainable Development Goals and Religious Strategies for Countering Youth Radicalization.