Singapore and Indonesia:
Interfaith Cooperation:
Two Studies in Muslim/Christian Dialogue

January 7-21, 2009
 

Plowshares Institute and Hartford Seminary, in association with the Christian Conference of Connecticut and the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut, are sponsoring a traveling seminar to Singapore and Indonesia.  This educational immersion will consider issues of Western/Muslim relations, sustainable development and understandings of human rights and democracy in these two nations which provide contrasting models of governance in the Southeast Asia context.

Singapore is a small, wealthy and tightly managed democracy with very comprehensive delivery of educational and social services. Given its small size and the value it places on interfaith harmony, Singapore has strong government-supported programs which promote religious tolerance and understanding.  Thanks to Hartford Seminary’s special relationship with the Muslim Council of Singapore and other religious and social agencies, participants will have the opportunity for extensive dialogue with key decision makers in Singapore.  

Indonesia is the world’s fourth largest country, the world’s third largest democracy, and has the world’s largest Muslim population—more than the combined population of the core Middle East states.  Indonesia also has the world’s largest reformed Christian population as well as significant Hindu and Buddhist communities. A secular state, Indonesian government is based on the policy of Pancasila which stresses national unity, respect for religious belief, and high levels of tolerance which requires effective interfaith dialogue.  Indonesia’s leadership is actively confront issues of decentralization, the protection of human rights, expansion of democratic participation, and intervention in ethnic/regional conflicts. 

In Indonesia, the seminar will visit three distinct regions (Aceh, Yogyakarta and Bali) which together reflect Indonesia’s scenic, cultural, and religious diversity.  In each location, participants will have unique access to Indonesian leaders from the highest levels of government, religious, and civic organizations due to Plowshares and Hartford Seminaries many contacts in all levels of Indonesian society.  These practionners and policy makers will share their views on Indonesia’s role as the world’s largest Muslim country, Muslim-Christian relations, economic and political development, human rights, democratic participation, and conflict intervention in the aftermath of one of the world’s largest natural disasters.

In Aceh, participants will observe the ongoing recovery after the devastating tsunami of December 2004.  The people of Aceh used this tragedy as an opportunity to peacefully resolve a 30-year civil war and re-negotiate a special autonomy arrangement with the national government.  Aceh province, which contains one of the world’s largest rain forests, is also actively exploring issues of environmental protection and global responsibility through a system of carbon credits authorized at the UN climate control meeting in Bali in December 2007.

In Yogyakarta, considered by many to be Indonesia’s educational and cultural center, participants will experience Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage.  Visits will include Borobudur and Prambanan, major Buddhist and Hindu temples, and dialogue with leaders at universities and NGOs focused on interfaith dialogue.

In Bali, a predominantly Hindu kingdom which also includes a highly contextualized Bali Protestant church, participants will experience the region’s rich cultural heritage and a wide range of faith-based social service programs. These programs are open to individuals from all religious traditions and include:  hotel management programs, job training for the handicapped, and a rice and water conservation program.

At the seminar’s conclusion participants have a covenant commitment to share what they have learned with constituencies back in the United States through presentations and/or written pieces.  Therefore, regular personal and group reflection as well as worship will be important seminar components, allowing participants to digest and dialogue with one another about the issues and positions being raised by the many leaders with whom we meet. 

For more information or to register: Contact Plowshares

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Covenants of Participation

Participants agree to three covenants to prepare for, learn from, and pass on their immersion experience.

1. Covenant of Preparation:  To do advanced reading and preparation before the seminar.  Reading material supplied by Plowshares includes selections in the areas of history, culture, economics, politics and religion.

2. Covenant of Lifestyle:  To live "simply but safely" in the style of our hosts in church and seminary guest houses, eating local food, and using local transportation so as to experience the richness and diversity of the culture as visitors and not tourists.  This covenant includes one's willingness to be a supportive and contributing member of the seminar community, participating in regular debriefing and worship experiences. 

3. Covenant of Interpretation:  To share one's learnings with colleagues upon return to the U.S. in whatever events or situations are appropriate.  Speaking engagements, conferences, and media presentations, either individually or as teams, have frequently fulfilled this learning contract.