The International Cross-Cultural Religious Literacy Conference, held on November 13–14, 2023, at the Kempinski Hotel, Jakarta, was attended by around 200 participants and invitees.
Jakarta, LKLB News – The International Cross-Cultural Religious Literacy Conference with the theme “Human Dignity and Rule of Law for a Peaceful and Inclusive Society”, organized by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham) together with the Leimena Institute on November 13–14, 2023, in Jakarta, is expected to further strengthen commitment and solidarity in upholding human rights in a state based on rule of law.
Executive Director of the Leimena Institute, Matius Ho, said that amid increasing challenges to freedom, justice, and peace in the world, this is the right moment to once again reflect on human dignity as the foundational concept of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The conference itself was held in commemoration of the upcoming 75th Human Rights Day on December 10.
“Protection and promotion begin with respect. Respecting human dignity also means respecting human diversity,” said Matius in his Welcome Remarks at the International CCRL Conference, Monday (11/13/2023).
The conference, held at the Kempinski Hotel, Jakarta, was attended by around 200 participants and invitees consisting of academics from various countries, religious leaders, teachers from the CCRL program, and at least 20 ambassadors from friendly countries, including from the ASEAN Secretariat. The International CCRL Conference included five panel sessions and seven breakout sessions involving 30 leading international speakers with simultaneous interpretation provided. In addition to invited in-person participants, the conference was also joined online via Zoom by 1,900 participants.
Minister of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia (Menkumham RI), Yasonna H. Laoly, with speakers and invitees of the International CCRL Conference.
In religious societies, Matius continued, misunderstanding of religion or lack of exposure to religious diversity can become obstacles, even threats, to building mutual respect. According to him, constructive dialogue and productive collaboration that are grounded in and guided by the rule of law require mutual trust among communities of different religions.
Therefore, equal and inclusive citizenship not only guarantees rights but also demands responsibilities from its citizens, regardless of their religion or belief. Religion is also transnational and transcultural. For this reason, the CCRL Conference sought to explore practical experiences of the role of citizens, not only from Indonesia, but also from the perspectives of other countries, especially in the Southeast Asian region.
“May this conference further strengthen our commitment and solidarity in upholding human dignity and human rights within the framework of the rule of law,” Matius emphasized.
Minister of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia, Yasonna H. Laoly, delivering the keynote speech at the opening session.
Multicultural and Interconnected
Meanwhile, Minister of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia (Menkumham RI), Yasonna H. Laoly, in his keynote remarks, emphasized the importance of cross-cultural religious literacy in today’s increasingly multicultural and interconnected global society.
“With deeper understanding and greater respect for differences, society can become more inclusive and harmonious. For that reason, we at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham), together with the Leimena Institute, have collaborated to organize training programs for teachers in Indonesia on cross-cultural religious literacy,” Yasonna said.
The Minister revealed that the International CCRL Conference was held to increase public awareness about the importance of interfaith collaboration grounded in mutual respect among people of different religions and beliefs.
“We place the issue of freedom of religion as extremely important because Indonesia is a highly diverse nation,” he said.
Nevertheless, Yasonna acknowledged, there will always be intolerant and radical groups. In this context, the rule of law plays an important role in guaranteeing and respecting the rights of every citizen.
Minister of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia answering questions from the press after the opening of the International CCRL Conference.
Furthermore, the Minister also addressed the link between efforts to promote religious freedom and world peace. According to him, these two efforts must go hand in hand.
“In September 2023, the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, enacted Presidential Regulation No. 58 of 2023 on the Strengthening of Religious Moderation. This regulation aims to reinforce harmony and unity among religious communities in the country,” he explained.
Director General of Human Rights (Dirjen HAM), Dhahana Putra, stated that the Indonesian nation has long been accustomed to living side by side in diversity and the spirit of brotherhood. However, the Director General of Human Rights admitted that there remain some unresolved issues concerning religious tolerance in Indonesia. Referring to the Religious Harmony Index, he noted that tolerance indicators in the country still stand at 68.72.
“This score shows that there are still problems of intolerance and the need for interventions to improve the situation, among them through cross-cultural religious literacy and the strengthening of religious moderation,” he explained.
The International CCRL Conference, organized by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia and the Leimena Institute, received support from the International Center for Law and Religion Studies at Brigham Young University Law School, the International Religious Freedom Secretariat, and the Templeton Religion Trust.