jpnn.com, BALI – ASEAN Youth Interfaith Camp or AYIC 2023 is being held again in the spirit of strengthening cooperation and understanding between religious communities in Southeast Asia.
With the theme Strengthening Interfaith Outreach and Partnership Through Digital Platforms, this year’s AYIC emphasizes the importance of utilizing digital technology in building bridges of understanding and tolerance. Atanaya Hotel, Kuta, Bali witnessed the collaboration of youth from ten ASEAN countries: Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Philippines, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam. Not only that, local youth from Primakara University also took part, enriching the discussion with authentic local perspectives.
In a panel discussion session entitled The Importance of Interfaith Understanding Towards Peaceful Co-Existence and Prosper Communities, speakers such as Arienne Louise Calingo, Ida Panglingsir Agung Putra Sukahet, and KH Abdul Aziz shared insights regarding the role of communities and local leaders in maintaining community cohesion. Meanwhile, the Minister of Youth and Sports’ expert for Diaspora and Youth Affairs, Hamdan Hamedan, raised the potential of digital platforms in strengthening harmony between religious communities across communities and even countries. Deputy for Youth Development Raden Isnanta reminded the importance of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika in his speech.
“Indonesia, with its diversity of ethnicities, religions and races, shows that differences are not a barrier, but rather a strength for peaceful coexistence,” he said. One of AYIC’s innovations this year is the use of digital platforms to create content that supports tolerance. The delegates, in their creative groups, collaborated to create content for social media such as Instagram and X.
Source: JPNN News