Page 232 - BUKU STRENGTHENING THE INDONESIAN PARLIAMENTARY DIPLOMACY FADLI ZON

Promoting Cultural Pluralism

and Peace Through Inter-faith

and Inter-ethnic Dialogue

Let me begin by expressing my highest appreciation to the hard work and dedication carried
out by the Government and Parliament of the Russian Federation as well as the people of the
Russian Federation for the successful organization of the 137 IPU General Assembly and
th
related meetings in St. Petersburg.

Throughout history, religion and ethnicity have become the key elements of identity for
many people. Based on our shared mission to promote global peace and pluralism, we have
the responsibility to establish close and respectful relationships with other people with
different beliefs and ethnicities. This is the foundation for global peace, justice and sustainable
development. In the same direction, Indonesia had organized the Parliamentary Event of
Interfaith Dialogue in November 2012 which produced the Bali Declaration in Promoting
Interfaith and Intercultural Cooperation. The meeting demonstrated the commitment and the
willingness of people of different faiths, beliefs and ethnicities to have constructive dialogues
while promoting the spirit of mutual trust, respect, understanding and tolerance. Also in
2012, we passed Law on Social Conflict Management which emphasizes the need to intensify
dialogue among different communities in preventing conflicts.

While many people have come to understand and value our differences, challenges remain.
The most recent conflicts of our time were triggered by ethnic discrimination or religious
sentiments, which further exacerbated by the lack of education and shallow representation of
religious values and cultural norms. Regrettably, this attitude has been passed on to the young
generation, increasing the risk of violence in the forthcoming years.

Selected Speeches of the Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia I 219