Young, Distinct and Creative

Training on Multiculturalism, and

Inter-religious Dialogue

Panti Semedi, Klaten, Central Java,

April 22 – 24, 2016

A training on Multiculturalism, and Inter-religious Dialogue held by Stube-HEMAT with a theme "Young, Distinct and Creative" is trying to convey a message and reminding Indonesian young people and students about diversity and the challenges that must be faced as the consequence. This training was warmly welcomed by 25 participants from various campuses, departments and regions. All participants were very enthusiastic to join the series of activities during three days.

Starting the program by visiting Pondok Pesantren (Islamic boarding school) Mlangi one week before the training, the participants that mostly Christian students, have a touch and preparation of perspectives on diversity. They were also reminded about the culture of each region with the variety of charming traditional costumes from several regions in Indonesia, such as Java, Kalimantan, Batak, Sumba and Flores used by some participants. A repercussion of folk songs in the first day of training really brings atmosphere of Indonesia that is rich in ethnics, cultures and languages.

The training encouraged participants to establish networking with various groups with different backgrounds, trained them to find solutions of disharmony between ethnic groups and religions, empowered them to be able to disseminate understanding, not just tolerance but cooperation for humanity, also motivated them to develop themselves to make joint dialogue among religions in society and actively deal with the conflicts that arise.

The sessions of this training include Multiculture Introduction, Dialogue with Forum for Religious Unity in Klaten, Mapping Potency of Conflicts in Indonesia, Group Discussion for each region and Designing Follow-up activities as a form of acquiring new knowledge. Speakers involved in this training, besides the internal team of Stube-HEMAT are Gus Jazuli ofIslamic boarding school of Saleh Akrom Nusantara (PeSAN), a religious leaders of various religions and beliefs Forum in Klaten, Pdt. Izak M.Y Lattu. Ph.D., a lecturer of Satya Wacana Christian University and Pdt. Krisapndaru, S.Th, a priest of Javanese Christian Church of Pedan.

“The presence of religious leaders and faith from FKUB Kebersamaan Klaten was very impress and inspire me to arrange such a meeting for interfaith leaders in my home, because I think it gives harmony atmosphere among pluralistic society," said Carly, an APMD student from Manggarai, NTT. Solidarity of various religions and beliefs Forum in Klaten was strongly felt by the participants because the presence of the various religious leaders in this training session.

"The power of local wisdom which is already exist in every ethnic in Indonesia is needed to be learned and bequeath from generation to generation, so they do not lose the noble values of their ancestors. They may also consider that differences is not a threat that must be eliminated. Riots between ethnic and religion should not happen anymore like in Ambon if the people really understand the value of Pela Gandong as well as knowing how the pillars of a mosque became church’s pillar. The wisdom is needed to be told continually," said Rev. Izzak Y.M. Lattu, Ph.D in his session.

At the end of the session, participants were asked to formulate activity as a form of new understanding they get during training. The dissemination of multicultural understanding through discussion, writing and real work in community become alternative activities for them to do.

On the way home from Klaten to Yogyakarta, participants were given an opportunity to visit Plaosan, a temple built in 9th century A.D. The temple is a fusion of Hindu and Buddha created by a mixed marriage between Rakai Pikatan who built Prambanan which has Hindu background and Princess Pramodhawardani of the Sailendra’s dynasty which has Buddhism background. In this temple participants learned that the acceptance of diversity has been going on since the past time.

Young, Distinct and Creative, inspire the participants as young people to be aware on diversity and should have distinctive in quality and do good deed for the nation. (ARN).