ZCZC
BSS-49
Religious-Education-Society
Promote religious education to build peaceful societies: experts
DHAKA, March 25, 2019 (BSS) – Religious and moral education can prevent
intolerance and promote peaceful and inclusive societies, experts told a
conference in Dhaka.
The two-day conference titled “Education towards Peaceful and Inclusive
societies: The Role of Religion” was organized jointly by the United Nations
Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect and the
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Save and
Serve Foundation held at Radisson Hotel in the capital on March 24-25, a UNDP
press release said today.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the conference, Education Minister
Dipu Moni said, “Education has a big role to play in achieving the
Sustainable Development Goals by creating an inclusive society ensuring
gender equality and human rights for all.”
She urged all to carefully handle the issue of growing islamophobia
worldwide.
Adama Dieng, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser
on the Prevention of Genocide, called for better collaboration of all sectors
for building a peaceful and inclusive society, and preventing atrocities.
Highlighting Bangladesh’s rich tradition he said, “Religious education
in Bangladesh can contribute to advancing peace and respect for diversity
nationally and internationally.”
UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Mia Seppo, citing the shooting
incidents at two mosques in Christchurch of New Zealand, said “Religious
education can stop such disbelieves on any religion and uphold pluralism in
society.”
The conference brought together national experts and practitioners in
the field of education, different religious groups to discuss about an
alternative curriculum for religious education that would foster peace, and
inclusivity.
Syed Tayabul Bashar, Chairman of Save and Serve Foundation; Shamim
Afzal, DG of Islamic Foundation; Beatrice Kaldun, Head and Representative of
UNESCO, and Professor Atique Islam, VC North South University, also spoke in
the event.
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