On 28 August 2024, I was invited by Ateneo de Davao University to give a talk on Inter-Religious and Intercultural Dialogue among spiritual leaders from Christian, Islamic, and Indigenous Peoples’ communities in Mindanao. I shared how we, at PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI), practice this kind of dialogue. We begin with intentional listening, focusing on understanding the worldview, values, and behavior patterns of others. This process forces us to confront our own biases and assumptions, which leads to both personal and communal transformation. Effective dialogue requires not only clarity in our own beliefs but also an understanding of the historical and social contexts that shape others’ perspectives. Dialogue also helps reveal the underlying needs driving various interests and behaviors, laying the groundwork for cooperative peacebuilding. Over time, this process fosters inclusive development, benefitting all communities involved. At PBCI, we believe listening is the first act of love, and love-driven listening can lead to lasting peace. Through genuine dialogue, adversarial relationships can be transformed, creating opportunities for collaboration and mutual development.
Here’s the outline of my presentation:
Introduction
PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI) is a non-governmental organization based in Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines. We are a fellowship of peace and reconciliation missionaries, including peacebuilding field workers, conflict transformation specialists, restorative justice practitioners, disaster response specialists, and community development workers. Since its founding in 2006, PBCI has been committed to fostering a just and active non-violent transformation across the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao. Our Peace and Reconciliation (PAR) framework emphasizes a holistic approach to peacebuilding—one that integrates personal transformation, community building, dialogue, training, and conflict resolution.
Among the most significant aspects of our work has been the engagement in inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue. The diverse, often fragmented, context of Mindanao—with its mix of indigenous cultures, Muslim and Christian communities—makes dialogue an essential peacebuilding tool. In this presentation, I’m sharing key lessons drawn from our experience of inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue.
1. An Understanding of Culture and Religion
Before engaging in inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue, it is essential to first understand the relationship between culture and religion. Culture encompasses the worldview, value system, and behavior patterns of a people or group. It is the lens through which they interpret their reality and engage with the world.
Religion, on the other hand, represents the structured, institutionalized expression of a group’s worldview and values. It shapes behavior and traditions, serving as a framework through which communities articulate their deepest beliefs. In Mindanao, where communities are shaped by diverse cultural and religious influences, understanding this dynamic is foundational for meaningful dialogue.
2. An Understanding of Dialogue
Dialogue, as PBCI practices it, begins with listening. Listening is not just a passive reception of words but an active pursuit of understanding. It involves engaging with the worldview, value systems, and behavior patterns of another community, fostering empathy and connection. This intentional listening builds the foundation for relationships that foster mutual and integral development. In a setting like Mindanao—where cultural and religious diversity is a source of both richness and tension—such relational foundations are indispensable.
In our peacebuilding work, dialogue is not just a one-time conversation. It is an ongoing journey of learning and unlearning, of suspending judgment to truly understand the perspectives of others.
3. Lessons Learned on Inter-Religious and Inter-Cultural Dialogue
Our experience of dialogue across religious and cultural divides has taught us several profound lessons. These insights have been crucial to our peacebuilding work and can serve as a guide for others engaged in similar efforts:
a. Dialogue Is an Existential Journey. Engaging in inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue requires stepping out of one’s comfort zone. It demands self-reflection and the courage to confront and relinquish unhealthy biases, habits, or beliefs that hinder genuine understanding. True dialogue is not always easy, but it is transformative.
b. Clarity of One’s Own Worldview Is Essential. For meaningful dialogue, one must first be clear about their own worldview. Without an understanding of one’s own beliefs, values, and assumptions, it is impossible to engage others with authenticity. This clarity—rooted both in the heart and the mind—allows for the humility needed to listen deeply to others.
c. Dialogue Seeks to Understand Contexts. Inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue is about understanding the historical, social, and political contexts that shape attitudes and behaviors. By engaging with the unique circumstances that inform a community’s perspectives, we can build bridges of understanding that transcend the surface level of differences.
d. Dialogue Seeks to Understand Needs. At the heart of dialogue is the quest to understand the needs that drive a community’s interests and positions. Whether these are spiritual, cultural, economic, or social needs, recognizing what motivates the actions and beliefs of others is key to resolving conflicts and fostering cooperation.
e. Dialogue Leads to Peacebuilding. When conducted with sincerity and respect, inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue lays the foundation for sustainable peacebuilding. By promoting understanding, empathy, and cooperation, dialogue can help transform adversarial relationships into collaborative ones.
f. Dialogue Fosters Inclusive and Integral Development. Dialogue should aim at more than just resolving differences. It should inspire cooperative efforts toward inclusive and integral development. By fostering relationships built on mutual respect, we can work together for the holistic well-being of communities, ensuring that development benefits everyone.
g. Dialogue Requires Documentation and Evaluation. To measure the effectiveness of inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue in peacebuilding, it is crucial to document and evaluate its impact regularly. By assessing the outcomes of our dialogue initiatives, we can learn, adapt, and improve our methods, ensuring that our efforts remain relevant and effective.
h. Dialogue Must Include Succession Training. Sustainable peacebuilding requires the intentional training of successors. It is essential that future generations are equipped with the skills and mindset necessary to continue the work of inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue. This ensures that the peacebuilding process remains active and dynamic.
4. The Bottom Line Lesson in Inter-Religious and Inter-Cultural Dialogue
At its core, the most important lesson we have learned is that listening is the first act of love. When we listen to others—not just with our ears but with our hearts—we communicate respect and care. It is this love-energized listening that opens the door to peace. Without listening, there can be no true dialogue, and without dialogue, there can be no lasting peace.
Inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue is a challenging yet rewarding journey. It requires patience, humility, and a willingness to engage with those who may hold beliefs and values very different from our own. Yet, as we at PBCI have experienced, it is through this dialogue that we can build relationships, foster understanding, and ultimately contribute to the peacebuilding process in a divided world. By listening, learning, and working together, we can move toward a more just, peaceful, and harmonious society.
