Indonesia, Interfaith Youth Dialogue

In the spirit of unity and shared commitment, around 450 young people from diverse religious backgrounds gathered in Jakarta on Saturday, 24 May 2025, for an “Interfaith Youth Dialogue.” The event, hosted by the Franciscan Province of St. Michael the Archangel in Indonesia, aimed to “Listen and Respond to the Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor,” commemorating the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of the Creatures and the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’.

Held at the Vitra Ballroom in Kramat, the dialogue brought together students from various universities in Jakarta, representing Islam, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Confucianism.

Br. Mikael Peruhe OFM, the Minister Provincial, opened the event by urging the young attendees to seize this opportunity to align their will and spirit. He challenged them to bravely confront the world's pressing issues, particularly in Indonesia. “Young people are expected to take a stand against deforestation bravely, those marginalized and impoverished by environmental degradation, and the uncontrolled plunder of natural resources,” he emphasized.

Throughout the dialogue, participants fostered a strong sense of fraternity, sharing personal experiences and their faith perspectives on the universe, humanity's role, and how individuals should interact with the cosmos. An important insight gained from this encounter is that a culture of encounter - through communication, dialogue, and collaboration - between religions can form a unified and powerful force to address global challenges. This collective power will empower young people to manifest a lifestyle rooted in the spirit of justice, peace, and the integrity of creation.

The “cry of the earth,” encompassing issues like environmental degradation, water, and air pollution, and the “cry of the poor,” including hunger, limited employment opportunities, inequality, injustice, and discrimination, were critical problems demanding collaborative solutions. The young participants firmly believe that interfaith youth are agents of change and play a vital role in safeguarding the earth as our common home, ensuring the realization of cosmic fraternity with God, fellow human beings, and the environment. 

In addition to insightful discussions, the event also featured performances showcasing the participating campuses’ cultural and religious backgrounds.
The Interfaith Youth Dialogue culminated in adopting a joint declaration for a sustainable future:

First, Addressing Global Crises: Recognizing environmental and humanitarian crises as global issues, participants committed to working hand-in-hand and sustainably to ensure a healthy environment and uphold human dignity. 
Second, Promoting Awareness: A pledge was made to continuously promote the importance of environmental care and respect for human dignity within society and through social media. 
Third, Active Engagement: The youth is committed to actively participating in and contributing to various activities related to environmental and humanitarian crises. 
Fourth, Academic Contribution: They resolved to conduct and publish academic studies on the phenomena of ecological and humanitarian crises. 
Fifth, Policy Evaluation: Participants pledged to provide input and evaluate public policymakers (government) when their policies and actions negatively impact the environment and human dignity.
Sixth, Leading by Example: The youth commit to being “salt and light” in their families, campuses, religious communities, and society by showing example through a way of life that respects the environment and human dignity.

Br. Jimmy Hend. Rance Tnomat, OFM
Provincial Secretary of the Province of St. Michael the Archangel, Indonesia