On Wednesday, February 26th, URI Europe in collaboration with Baraza organized an engaging webinar as part of World Interfaith Harmony Week 2025. The session, titled “Why Religious Literacy Matters?”, brought together 31 participants from 18 countries around the globe, demonstrating our commitment to fostering understanding and dialogue across diverse faith traditions.
The webinar opened with a warm welcome from URI Europe team members, who set the stage by introducing the session’s purpose and emphasizing the importance of religious literacy in today’s pluralistic societies. Riaz from Baraza further introduced the organization, highlighting its dedication to promoting peaceful thinking and tolerance.
The core of the webinar featured two inspiring presentations. Dr. Francesca Cadeddu, an assistant professor at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Executive Director of Resilience, delivered a comprehensive talk on the significance of religious literacy. She explained that understanding religious traditions is essential not only for grasping the dynamics between individuals and communities but also for countering the negative consequences of religious illiteracy, such as social tensions and conflicts. Following her, Mrs. Chantal Chételat Komagata shared personal experiences and insights, stressing that spiritual practices and active text engagement are critical in building interfaith bridges and promoting peace.
Inspiring presentations were followed by rich discussions on practical ways to enhance religious literacy in the local communities. Participants exchanged ideas on effective resources and practices, emphasizing the role of dialogue and shared experiences in nurturing a harmonious society. The session concluded with a brief Zoom poll confirmed high levels of participant satisfaction and engagement.
For those who could not join live or wish to revisit the enriching conversation, the webinar recording is now available on URI Europe YouTube: Watch Recording.
