The International Scientific Conference was organized by the Faculty of Islamic Pedagogy of the University of Zenica

The Faculty of Islamic Pedagogy of the University of Zenica, on the occasion of its 25th anniversary, organized the International Scientific Conference "Interreligious Dialogue in the Challenges of Contemporary Life" on November 3, 2018 in the "Zenica" hotel.

The basic idea and concept of the Conference was to bring together scientists and researchers of different worldview orientations in one place in an effort to at the same time have a very concentrated, scientifically based discussion about ways of understanding and acting, with a positive outcome for the human race, and in meeting the present challenges of modern life.

The patron of the Conference was Reisu-l-ulema of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The conference was held in three plenary working sessions and at the end of each session there was a discussion.

CONCLUSIONS OF THE CONFERENCE

In an effort to construct a sufficiently broad, stimulating, ideologically-free, inspiring framework for meeting the challenges of contemporary life, we believe that dialogizing between religions, but equally, including in this approximate dialogic space, every serious, academically motivated researcher, can contribute to the construction of action tendencies in to the community.

The conference clearly outlined the dialogue between religions and the dialogue between worldviews in general as an inevitability and challenge of our lives.

The presented experiences of the difficulties and achievements of dialogizing are serious but also encouraging. The domain of education is clearly crystallized as a safe space for investment in the need and art of quality encounters. Of course, the process requires honesty, the authenticity of each individual participant in the dialogue and a systemic approach of investing in an unquestionable perspective, the dialogic one.

The Faculty of Islamic Pedagogy of the University of Zenica wants to be recognized as a higher education institution, an educational institution, but above all a research institution, which can meritoriously contribute to the processes of strengthening the art of dialogue between religions and worldviews.

The operationalization of the conclusions of the Conference marks the following domains of action:

1. Religious communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, conceptually immersed in the Abrahamic tradition, with centuries-long experience of living together, can contribute to the affirmation of dialogue between religions, but also inclusion in the dialogical space of other worldviews, with concrete programs, which must be accompanied by evaluations of their implementation;
2. The Interreligious Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with respect for its persistent efforts to promote dialogue, could in the coming period achieve stronger cooperation, especially with higher education institutions of religious communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in terms of common, methodologically standardized projects and specific programs. In this way, the experience of living together in Bosnia and Herzegovina, countless examples of good practice, would be affirmed and made more aware. Also, the positive experiences of the Board of the Zenica Interreligious Council could be affirmed as a local model applicable on a global level.
3. Higher education institutions of religious communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina are a privileged resource both for joint scientific research projects and for the construction of curricula at individual institutions in which faculties of different confessions would participate, for the purpose of authentic and extremely necessary exchange of knowledge and practices between different religious communities.
4. Education policy, both centralized and decentralized models, should unquestionably condemn practices like 'two schools under one weed' and systematically build a space for rapprochement, acquaintance, and living in the spirit of universal values.

Conference project leaders:

Prof. Ph.D. Edina Vejo
Prof. Ph.D. Halil Mehtic
Prof. Ph.D. Izet Pehlić