Our Words of Wisdom
“There never was my religion or yours, my national religion or your national religion; there never existed many religions, there is only the one. One Infinite Religion existed all through eternity and will ever exist, and this religion is expressing itself in various countries in various ways.”
– Swami Vivekananda quoted by Pankaj Singh, India
The Muslim Jewish Conference
1st to 6th of August 2010, Vienna, Austria
For most Jewish and Muslim youth, opinions are based upon stereotypes and prejudices dispersed both by the media and the societies surrounding them. Within these communities there exists a considerable lack of motivation in recognizing and understanding the other’s wishes, fears, and problems.
MJC – the Muslim Jewish Conference aims to go beyond the borders of our dogmas and to establish an institutionalized, student-driven, multi-cultural and multi-religious dialogue contributing to a peacefully globalized world.
The main agenda of the conference is not political, nor is it a debate upon the validity of our religions, rather it is an interdisciplinary exchange based on mutual respect and tolerance where differences are acknowledged and moved beyond.
Topics of the Conference 2010
The conference will be split into 3 thematic committees, the participants may attend:
1. Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism
A lack of knowledge and experience throughout all societies perpetuate both phenomena; Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism. Presumptions and preconceptions offer fertile ground for xenophobic ideas that reach all corners of the world. The alarming power behind these terms, the legal aspects, and the role of Europe as a hot spot for both communities will be the basis for discussion in the first Committee.
2. Education
It is generally accepted that education is the key to the personal development of individuals and to the health and growth of a society. However, the design, implementation and recipients of education vary strongly. The second Committee will focus on the kind of knowledge that is disseminated through educational institutions, religious influence and the prospects of an inter-cultural approach.
3. The Role of Media
The media, regarding its power within today’s societies, has significant influence concerning the increase or decrease of stereotypes and prejudices. The third committee will deal concretely with the role of the media and its effect on intercultural behaviour. Its impact on interfaith awareness will be reviewed and analysed for its potential of bridge-building and peace-building activities.
The initiative offers a platform for discussion and networking about and between Jewish and Muslim communities, and attempts to identify future needs, challenges and opportunities to find shared positions and recommendations for the challenges that lie ahead of us.
As such, the MJC is a dialogue and leadership project that targets the leaders of tomorrow from the economic, academic and political sectors.
The participants represent a new generation of thinkers, doers and allies, who are connected by their faith in the possibility of a new era of cooperation. This conference will be our first step towards forging a link between possibility and reality and actively shape our future.
The MJC is not only supported by the United Nations Alliance of Civilization but also by the Austrian Ministry for Foreign Affairs and various NGOs and individuals that share ideas of intercultural dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
We invite you to find more information regarding conference details, 2010 topics and registration requirements on our homepage: www.MJConference.org
The call for registration is now closed.