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Study Programme on Inter-Civilizational Dialogue 2007 – Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Singapore & Istanbul

Date: 10 Dec 2007 to 5 Jan 2008
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Singapore & Istanbul

Dear USP Students,

We are pleased to bring to you the 2nd installment of our very successful inter-religious study programme. Last year the theme of the programme was Contemporary Muslim Societies and this year, the focus will be on inter-religious, inter-faith dialogue. Therefore we are pleased to announce the Study Programme on Inter-Civilizational Dialogue 2007 – Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Singapore & Istanbul is NOW OPEN for application!

What do we mean by the term “dialogue” then you may ask? 

Dialogue among civilizations can be defined as the conversation or discussion between representatives of two or more groups that may differ along the lines of religion, ethnicity or other markers of distinction. The purpose of the dialogue is to create tolerance, mutual understanding, interest, and concern among such groups. However, the consideration of such dialogue should not be confined to its literal sense.  Dialogue among civilizations is also a metaphor for the process of the implantation and cultivation of an orientation and attitude that is founded on the attributes of tolerance, mutual understanding, interest, and compassion. This amounts to no less than the inculcation of the spirit of multiculturalism, that is, the celebration of cultural variety and diversity. A very effective way of bringing about such dialogu15 July, 2009expose young minds to a variety of culture and religions. USP will do just this, by bringing a group of students to Istanbul, Penang & Kuala Lumpur this December, to be immersed in various academic and cultural activities that involve in an intensive manner, the religions of Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism. 

In Penang, USP will be collaborating with the Centre for International Studies (CIS), Universiti Sains Malaysia and students will be attending an International Roundtable Meeting to gain further insights into the issues pertaining to Inter-faith dialogues. For the Kuala Lumpur portion of the programme, USP will be co-operating with the Centre for Civilizational Dialogue at the University of Malaya. The programme will involve lectures, visits to cultural sites, and meetings with religious leaders of various faiths. In Istanbul, Fatih University will be our host once more. Students can look forward to lectures/seminars on inter-faith dialogues and the relationship between Muslims, Christian and Jews, fieldtrips and visits to cultural sites as well as visits & meetings with the local Muslim, Christian & Jewish communities. 

Throughout the program, students will interact with interfaith community groups and leaders, participate in university seminars and discussions with the various host/partner institutions’ faculty and students and visit churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, or other organizations committed to interfaith dialogue and collaboration in the three cities. 

Upon your return from Istanbul at the end of December, students will have 1 week to discuss the lessons learnt from the trip and to start preparations for their projects and presentations which will culminate in a forum on the theme on Saturday, January 5 2008 at the Harmony Centre. 

Objective of the Programme 

  1. To benefit from an exchange of ideas, foster interaction between various inter-religious cooperation groups, promote mutual understanding, gain exposure to diverse community and at the same time understand the need to transmute interfaith dialogue into interfaith community activity.
  2. To understand inter-religious relations and dialogue, including attitudes and ethical values and the implication of relations between people of differing faiths
  3. To realize the ambiguous relationship between identity and religion in today’s context and the increasing role of religion in public life and in conflicts situation 

Key Deliverables 

  1. A 3-page double spaced paper on a subject related to interfaith dialogue, agreed upon by the individual student and Prof. Alatas. The paper should combine insights from the seminars, discussions and lectures held during the trip along with personal reflections by the students.
  2. A PowerPoint group presentation on a subject determined by Prof. Alatas. This is to be presented during the Forum on Saturday, 5 January 2008.
  3. A website for this Programme, upon its conclusion.  The website should include the following:
  • - the itinerary;
  • - descriptive reports on the various activities/events;
  • - personal reflections on lessons learnt during the activities/events, observations made from interactions, outcomes of the exchange program, etc.;
  • - lots of pictures (or video clips).
  1. A display board (as seen on Level 5 of BLK ADM) for this Programme, upon its conclusion.  The display board should include the following:
  • - the itinerary;
  • - descriptive reports on the various activities/events;
  • - personal reflections on lessons learnt during the activities/events, observations made from interactions, outcomes of the exchange program, etc.;
  • - lots of pictures 

Partner Organizations Involved 

  1. Centre for International Studies (CIS), Universiti Sains Malaysia
  2. Civilizational Dialogue at the University of Malaya
  3. Fatih University
  4. Harmony Centre
  5. Arab Association
  6. Turkish Cultural Centre 

Venue 

  1. Kuala Lumpur               
  2. Penang                         
  3. Singapore                     
  4. Istanbul 

Duration 

  1. Kuala Lumpur                10 – 12 December 2007
  2. Penang                          13 – 15 December 2007
  3. Singapore                      16 – 19 December 2007
  4. Istanbul                         21 – 29 December 2007

    Forum
    Date:                            5 January 2008, Saturday
    Venue:                          Harmony Centre 

Cost & Items Covered 

Students are expected to pay part of the airfare and Programme fee and the rest will be subsidized by USP.

The payment will be SGD$1000. Students will have to pay for some meals on their own. 

Items that will be covered by USP include the following: 

  1. Land transportation costs in Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore & Istanbul
  2. Land transportation cost to Penang & Kuala Lumpur
  3. Return airfare to Istanbul
  4. Accommodation in Penang, Kuala Lumpur & Istanbul
  5. Entry fees to cultural sites/fieldtrips/tours
  6. Daily breakfast
  7. 75% of meals (lunch & dinner) 

Application and Selection Process 

25 USP students will be selected for this programme. 

Students who are interested are required to submit the items stated below. Please note that you will be required to attend an interview.

All applicants should also have a minimum CAP of at least 3.5 in order to be eligible to apply. 

  1. Completed online Application Form (at https://usp3.nus.edu.sg/ems_isis/event_reg.jsp?eventtpctrl_seq_n=1062&event_c=100323 )
  2. A Personal Statement (no longer than 1 page in length – to be attached via the online application page) on
    1. Your reasons for applying to this programme
    2. What you can contribute to this program related to interfaith cooperation, religious pluralism, and the promotion of interreligious  understanding
    3. What you expect to gain from the experience and how you would utilize what you have learn upon your return to Singapore 
  1. A Curriculum Vitae no longer than 4 - 6 pages in length (to be attached via the online application page) 

Important Details 

  1. Please apply via the following link: https://usp3.nus.edu.sg/ems_isis/event_reg.jsp?eventtpctrl_seq_n=1062&event_c=100323
  2. Please remember to check/tick the correct programme; Study Programme on Inter-Religious Dialogue 2007
  3. Please name your file (essay required) as “IRD2007_YourName” 

Closing date: Wednesday, 7 November 2007 

Please feel free to contact Vindy ( / 6516 4628) or Sor Hui ( /6516 4063) if you have further queries