A Plowshares Institute/Hartford Seminary Traveling Seminar
SINGAPORE & INDONESIA
Interfaith Dialogue: Two Studies in Muslim/Christian Relations
January 7-21, 2009

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Plowshares Institute and Hartford Seminary, in association with the Christian Conference of Connecticut and the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut, are sponsoring a traveling seminar to Singapore and Indonesia. This educational immersion will consider issues of Western/Muslim relations, sustainable development and understandings of human rights and democracy in these two nations which provide contrasting models of governance in the Southeast Asia context.

Singapore is a small, wealthy and tightly managed democracy with very comprehensive delivery of educational and social services. Given its small size and the value it places on interfaith harmony, Singapore has strong government-supported programs which promote religious tolerance and understanding. Thanks to Hartford Seminary’s special relationship with the Muslim Council of Singapore and other religious and social agencies, participants will have the opportunity for extensive dialogue with key decision makers in Singapore.

Indonesia is the world’s fourth largest country, the world’s third largest democracy, and has the world’s largest Muslim population—more than the combined population of the core Middle East states. Indonesia also has the world’s largest reformed Christian population as well as significant Hindu and Buddhist communities. A secular state, Indonesian government is based on the policy of Pancasila which stresses national unity, respect for religious belief, and high levels of tolerance which requires effective interfaith dialogue. Indonesia’s leadership is actively confront issues of decentralization, the protection of human rights, expansion of democratic participation, and intervention in ethnic/regional conflicts.

In Indonesia, the seminar will visit three distinct regions (Aceh, Yogyakarta and Makassar) which together reflect Indonesia’s scenic, cultural, and religious diversity. In each location, participants will have unique access to Indonesian leaders from the highest levels of government, religious, and civic organizations due to Plowshares and Hartford Seminaries many contacts in all levels of Indonesian society. These practionners and policy makers will share their views on Indonesia’s role as the world’s largest Muslim country, Muslim-Christian relations, economic and political development, human rights, democratic participation, and conflict intervention in the aftermath of one of the world’s largest natural disasters.

In Aceh, participants will observe the ongoing recovery after the devastating tsunami of December 2004. The people of Aceh used this tragedy as an opportunity to peacefully resolve a 30-year civil war and re-negotiate a special autonomy arrangement with the national government. Aceh province, which contains one of the world’s largest rain forests, is also actively exploring issues of environmental protection and global responsibility through a system of carbon credits authorized at the UN climate control meeting in Bali in December 2007.

In Yogyakarta, considered by many to be Indonesia’s educational and cultural center, participants will experience Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage. Visits will include Borobudur and Prambanan, major Buddhist and Hindu temples, and dialogue with leaders at universities and NGOs focused on interfaith dialogue.

In Makassar, Sulawesi, a historic region of Christian/Muslim conflict, seminar participants will have the opportunity to participate in an international conference sponsored by the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights and the State University of Makassar. Participants will engage in presentations, panel discussions and training sessions on promoting human rights through combating global warming, proactive conflict intervention and poverty alleviation. Participants will also have an opportunity to enjoy Makassar’s rich coastal culture and ecological diversity.

As an optional addition to the seminar, participants will have the opportunity to stay in Bali from January 22-25th at an extra cost of $400. While staying at the beautiful Dhyana Pura resort on the beach, participants will have a time to relax and enjoy the region’s rich cultural heritage. Possible excursions include: snorkeling on Lombagan island, visits with Balinese dancers and artists, exposure to the highly contextualized Bali Protestant church and Bali’s predominantly Hindu culture.

At the seminar’s conclusion participants have a covenant commitment to share what they have learned with constituencies back in the United States through presentations and/or written pieces. Therefore, regular personal and group reflection as well as worship will be important seminar components, allowing participants to digest and dialogue with one another about the issues and positions being raised by the many leaders with whom we meet.

How to Join Us: Admission to the seminar is by application. The group is limited to twenty participants. The total cost for the traveling seminar, including travel to/from the US, housing, and all meals is US $3800, subject to change due to possible increase in airfares. Academic credit may be available for this seminar, with an additional fee, through Hartford Seminary. A limited number of partial scholarships for women and minorities are available.

LEADERS:

Rev. Dr. Robert A. Evans is Founding Executive Director of Plowshares Institute and has led more than forty previous traveling seminars at the invitation of civic, community, and religious leaders. Bob is the author and editor of several books and articles and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for work to promote a just peace worldwide.

Dr. Heidi Hadsell is President of Hartford Seminary, former Director of the Ecumenical Institute of the World Council of Churches in Bossey, Switzerland, and Professor of Social Ethics with special expertise in areas of interfaith dialogue and sustainable ecology.

For applications and additional information contact:

Hartford Seminary, 77 Sherman St. Hartford, CT 06105 (860) 509 9509 or
Plowshares Institute, P.O. Box 243, Simsbury, CT 06070Tel: (860) 651-4304;
E-mail: plowshares@plowsharesinstitute.org
Web Sites: www.plowsharesinstitute.org, www.hartsem.edu