In an inspiring demonstration of unity and shared commitment to peace, the Pathways to Peace Congress brought together over 300 participants from diverse religious, academic, and cultural backgrounds in Temuco, Chile, on August 12–13, 2025. The congress, themed “Religions and Cultures in Dialogue — The Contribution and Relevance of Dialogue among Religions, Spiritualities, and Cultures in the Paths toward Peace,” served as a vibrant space for exchange, reflection, and collaboration.
Organized by a coalition of eight institutions, including the National Office of Religious Affairs (ONAR), the Chilean Association for Interreligious Dialogue for Human Development (ADIR), Arigatou International and the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC), the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID), Brigham Young University (BYU), and several leading Chilean universities. The event explored the role of interreligious and intercultural dialogue in building peace and social cohesion.
With the participation of faith leaders, academics, policymakers, and youth, the congress underscored that dialogue remains a cornerstone for peaceful coexistence. Among its many highlights was a moving Ceremony for Peace, during which representatives of diverse faith traditions, including Sikh and Mapuche communities, joined in a symbolic act of unity and hope.
GNRC Chile’s participation reflected the spirit of Answering the Call of the Child, the post-forum follow-up initiative inspired by the Abu Dhabi Declaration on Building a Hopeful World for Children. Two adolescents representing the Sikh Dharma, and Isidora, from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, took the stage to share their experiences in interreligious dialogue, showing that children and young people are not merely participants but active agents of change.
“I realized that adults were truly listening and asking for my opinion. That made me feel that my voice also matters, faith and dialogue have no age,” said Isidora.
The congress also marked the launch of the Observatory on the Religious Phenomenon in Araucanía at the Catholic University of Temuco and was declared the First Paths of Peace Congress, signaling the commitment to make it a recurring platform for dialogue and action.
In alignment with the GNRC Strategy 2030, Arigatou International reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing interreligious and intercultural education from early childhood, laying the foundations for a safe, secure, and sustainable world for every child.
As Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad reminded participants, “Peace is a continuous and collaborative process.” Through initiatives like Pathways to Peace, the GNRC continues to advance this process towards building a hopeful world for children through dialogue, compassion, and collective responsibility.
