Religious and moral education can prevent intolerance and promote peaceful and inclusive societies, said speakers at a two-day conference that ended in the city on Monday, reports UNB.
The conference titled "Education towards Peaceful and Inclusive Societies: The Role of Religion" was organised jointly by the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Save and Serve Foundation.
Attending the inaugural session of the conference, Education Minister Dipu Moni said education has a big role to play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by creating an inclusive society ensuring gender equality and human rights for all.
She urged all to handle the issue of growing Islamophobia worldwide carefully, according to a press release.
United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Adama Dieng called for better collaboration of all sectors for building a peaceful and inclusive society, and preventing atrocities.
Highlighting Bangladesh's rich tradition he said, "Religious education in Bangladesh can contribute towards advancing peace and respect for diversity nationally and internationally."
UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Mia Seppo, citing the shooting incidents at two mosques in Christchurch of New Zealand, said religious education can stop such disbelieves on any religion and uphold pluralism in a society.
The conference brought together national experts and practitioners in the field of education, different religious groups to discuss about an alternative curriculum for religious education that would foster peace, and inclusivity.
Syed Tayabul Bashar, Chairman, Save & Serve Foundation, Shamim Afzal, DG, Islamic Foundation, Beatrice Kaldun, Head and Representative of Unesco, Prof Atique Islam, VC, North South University also spoke at the event.
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