Pilar (Goa): ‘Seeds of Peace India’ is organizing first Samvaad National Interfaith Summit (SNIS) in a virtual mode on December 11, 2021. This national summit is being organized to create and promote the idea of interfaith harmony. The Samvaad National Interfaith Summit is culmination of their larger programmme – The Samvaad Project – meant to offer interfaith dialogue facilitation training to university/ college level educators. The Samvaad Project was conceived and set in motion in fulfillment of a grant received from the US Consulate in Mumbai.
At the heart of the issue is a lack of understanding and empathy toward those of different faiths, which contributes to in-group/out-group dynamics, which in turn fuel xenophobia and communal conflict. It is with the aim of allaying this pain point that ‘The Samvaad Project’ was initiated. This pioneer program sought to promote interfaith dialogue among college students by training college lecturers/professors in interfaith dialogue facilitation skills.
While The Samvaad Project itself aimed at a select institutions from Western India, the Samvaad National Interfaith Summit will have a wider reach, with participants joining from all over India. “Delegates and speakers from across states and professional spectrums will join in for this day-long convention. Invitees include educators, students, peace activists, non-profit organisations, faith leaders, legal professionals, policymakers, and citizens interested in interfaith dialogue and harmony,” said Fr. Elvis Fernandes, member of the Missionary Society of St. Francis Xavier, popularly known as Society of Pilar and Convenor, Sadbhaav Goa, one of the partners of Seeds of Peace India. A virtual platform has been chosen and entry kept free to encourage and ensure maximum participation from a wide range of geographical and ideological arenas.
The Samvaad National Interfaith Summit will include themes like (a) Need for dialogue in the current context; (b) Relevance of throughout the day, delegates will be able to listen to two keynote addresses, and choose between attending paper presentations, workshops or short format talks. There will also be musical interludes and a concert to underline the artistic face of interfaith engagement.
“Seeds of Peace India hopes to see enthusiastic participation from interfaith enthusiasts from across India. To attend the Summit, register at www.seedsofpeace.org/samvaad or write to [email protected] for any queries.” informed Fr. Fernandes, who is also one of the speakers of this national summit.
Some of the most prominent speakers include Dr. Kaushikee, Honorary Director and Professor, Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Jamia Millia Islamia; Syeda Hameed, Padma Shri awardee and Women’s Rights Activist, New Delhi; Sushobha Barve, Executive Director at Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation, New Delhi; Dr. Syed Zafar Mahmood, President, Zakat Foundation of India, God’s Grace Foundation and Interfaith Coalition for Peace, New Delhi; Faisal Khan, Peace Activist and Leader, Khudai Khidmatgar, New Delhi; Arun Wakhlu, Founder Director and Chief Mentor of Pragati Leadership Institute, Pune; Dr. (Fr.) Elvis Fernandes, Convenor, Sadbhaav, Goa; and Bhanwar Meghwanshi, award-winning writer and peace activist, Bhilwara.