Inter-faith Dialogue, Inter-cultural Dialogue: A Basis for Developing Global Security

Abstract

The paper will build on the case made by Bhikhu Parekh (2002) for the development of inter-cultural dialogue as the most strategically rational response to addressing terrorism and its underlying causes. The author relates Parekh's case to the literature on inter-faith dialogue as well as the author's own empirical involvement in a grassroots Muslim-Christian dialogue in the western suburbs of Melbourne following the events of September 11, 2001. The paper considers the nature and aims of inter-faith dialogue as well as inter-cultural dialogue, and explores how a dialogical approach to inter-group (including international) relations can assist in the development of a citizen-based, participatory and networked approach to local community development as well as global security.