Feature story
Participants discussed how interreligious dialogue is not simply about discussing differences but about building trust, deepening understanding, and discovering how people can work together for the common good.
Dr Jacob Wyan, a theology professor at Lund University in Sweden, offered a presentation that explored the difference between a relationship and an interreligious relationship.
“I think that this is an important topic for both the religious communities and for society, and as we know of course interreligious relations are first and foremost human relations,” he said. “That means that they are not always easy. They are not always pleasant. But it also means that they are, in a sense, inevitable.”
Participants then divided into small groups to reflect together, sharing their experiences from their own contexts.
As the groups reflected on what they learned, they emphasized the importance of not focusing on stereotypes about other faiths or religions, but instead looking for ideas that can help people sit together and build bridges.
They also underscored that special attention is needed in contexts divided by strong national identities and conflicted histories, particularly where religious and national identity are deeply intertwined.
Participants also noted the role education can play in fostering understanding of different religious traditions, and that knowing one’s neighbor means being in relationship and being in conversation with one’s neighbor.
Prof. Dr Angeliki Ziaka, World Council of Churches (WCC) programme executive for Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation, commended the participation of young people from different parts of the world. “We are launching this at a time when our world is facing profound challenges,” she said.
WCC programme executive for Young People in the Ecumenical Movement, Abigayle Bolado, said that the series will focus on intergenerational understanding with not only young people but seasoned ecumenists as well. “Each generation carries its own experience,” she said.
The Interreligious Learning Series is moderated by young people. This first meeting was facilitated by Lahdo Shio from Bethlehem, an interreligious student who participated in the CAS-IS 2025 Interreligious Summer Course at the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey.
Register here for the second session, to take place 22 June, 14:00-15:15 CEST
Learn more about the WCC interreligious work
Current Dialogue - World Council of Churches’ journal on interreligious dialogue
