Students are focused, and smiling is the way to build peace. - Photo: Pescila Magdalin
Interreligious Dialogue Awareness Activity: Follow up with more students at Marist Brothers High School, Carew ST, Flagstaff, Suva.
Date: 19th March 2025, from 9.00am to 2.30pm. - Year 9 and year 10 combine: year 9 (2nd lot) and year 10 (2nd lot).
It was on a Wednesday that I conducted an awareness session on interreligious dialogue with high school students. The objective of this activity was to promote understanding, respect, and dialogue between different religious traditions, encouraging students to develop a more inclusive and open-minded approach to diverse faiths.
The session began with a PowerPoint presentation aimed at introducing students to the concept of interreligious dialogue, its significance in promoting peace, and the role it plays in fostering mutual respect among individuals from different religious backgrounds. The presentations were interactive, allowing for questions, discussions, and reflections throughout the session.
Initially, I conducted the awareness session with two classes of students. Following the success of the first session, I was asked to cover another class. I accepted the invitation and successfully conducted a session with an additional class. The day’s activity concluded with two more classes being added to the schedule, which I managed to cover within the same day.
Each session lasted for one hour, during which the students were introduced to the core principles of interreligious dialogue, including respect, active listening, and empathy. The students were also encouraged to reflect on their own beliefs and how they could engage with others from different faith traditions in a constructive and positive manner.
They appreciated the interactive nature of the session and the opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussions. A few students shared personal experiences related to their religious beliefs and expressed a greater understanding of the importance of dialogue in promoting harmony. The activity not only helped students gain a better understanding of interfaith dialogue but also encouraged them to reflect on their own attitudes towards others with different beliefs. I look forward to conducting further sessions and expanding on this important topic. I also got feedback from some students who were part of the session that they are interested in joining the pilgrimage walk scheduled for the 29th of March 2025. The students also mentioned their parish youth coordinator has invited them to join this holy walk; it was best that I had sent out emails to invite Catholic parish youths, where they are now ready to exercise their interests.
I hope to continue promoting interreligious dialogue through similar workshops in the future and to conduct more interactive activities, such as role-playing or group discussions, to further engage students to learn more about interreligious dialogue.
Pescila Magdalin.
Columban IRD coordinator.
Comments (0)