MPI alumnus Padmakuma M M (2019) is one of the convenors of a National Conference on Secularism, State and Interfaith Dialogue in India. The conference was organized by organised by CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore in association with Centre for the Study of World Religions (DVK), Bangalore and National Foundation for Communal Harmony Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India, New Delhi. The conference will be held September 24 and 25, 2019. So, while it is to late to attend the conference, we wanted to share what was being organized as an example of who MPI alumni are involved in peacebuilding and to give others ideas of what they might do.
The goal of the conference is "to deliberate over Secularism, State and Interfaith Dialogue in the context of promoting communal harmony in our Nation." The objectives of the conference are:
- Toensureaplatformformembersfromdifferent religiousandfaithbackgroundstocometogether and reflect over the need for interfaith dialogue
- To take stock and spread awareness about the ways in which the State, Secularism are enablers of Interfaith Dialogue
- To encourage academicians and the State to deliberate on interfaith dialogue as a mechanism for promoting communal harmony
- To promote a culture of peace and harmony and cherish diverse identities and communities in our country