The conference, participated by representatives from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Yogyakarta, Singapore, and Davao City focuses on enhancing women’s and youth’s participation in urban development through interreligious and intercultural dialogue as a tool for promoting social cohesion.
During the opening on Thursday (Sept. 12), Mayor Sebastian Duterte whose message was read by Third District Councilor Trisha Ann Villafuerte, chairperson of the Committee on Women, Children, and Family Relations emphasized the importance of the conference to further enhance and promote a culture of dialogue as it serves as a bridge to connect diverse culture, tradition, and perspective leader to more inclusive and peaceful communities.
The event, hosted by the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) in partnership with Ateneo de Davao University Al Qalam Institute also discusses innovative approaches to strengthen the participation of women and youth in urban development and enhance peace building across the region.
Datu Mussolini Lidasan, Al Qalam Executive Director in a press conference also emphasizes the significance of the event which showcases the city’s dedication to religious freedom and diversity.
“We highlighted Davao City because of its programs on madrasa education, inclusive governance. We have deputy mayors from the 11 tribes. A lot of programs for women,children and youth,” Lidasan said.
“Yong initiative ng Davao City ay pinag-aaralan ng four cities itong Singapore Bangkok, Yogyakarta, and Kuala Lumpur because of our promotion of intercultural and interreligious dialogue we have a very relatively peaceful city,” he said.
Lidasan also said that they want to highlight all these initiatives because they wanted other cities in the Philippines to also replicate it.
Lidasan also encourages all sectors to apply dialogue as a tool for addressing conflict.
“That’s what we want to encourage. That’s we want people to understand that we may come from different religions and cultures. We come from different interpretations. But we should not focus on those that divide us but we should focus on things that can unify us,” he said.
The conference program also includes plenary sessions, workshops which focuses on women, youth, and innovation.
The participants will also have their immersive site visits in the city to showcase best practices in interfaith, interreligious, and intercultural dialogue.
The Dialogue Cities Southeast Asia Conference held its inaugural conference in Bangkok in 2023.
The next edition of the conference will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia next year