In an era where migration continues to reshape European societies, interreligious dialogue (IRD) emerges as a key tool for fostering social cohesion and countering divisive narratives.
This webinar will explore how grassroots IRD initiatives in Austria, Croatia, and Serbia engage with religious diversity among refugees and migrants.
While Austria has a long history of institutionalized IRD, Croatia and Serbia have primarily seen such efforts emerge informally, often tied to humanitarian initiatives. Despite different migration histories—Austria as a destination country, Croatia and Serbia as transit or emigration countries—public discourse in all three nations has framed migration as a security threat, limiting inclusive approaches to diversity.
The discussion will highlight how faith-based organizations and local actors work to bridge divides, facilitate dialogue, and support migrant inclusion. In Austria, interreligious initiatives are integrated into state and civil society frameworks, while in Croatia and Serbia, religious engagement remains sporadic and lacks institutional backing.
However, grassroots efforts and interfaith community projects demonstrate the potential of IRD to shape more inclusive societies. This webinar will examine how IRD can contribute to changing stereotypes, promoting coexistence, and building trust in diverse societies and how bottom-up initiatives, which representatives of different organizations will share, can inspire academic research and contribute to reshaping existing narratives. At the same time, it will also highlight the challenges such initiatives face in respective societies.
Webinar Format
Duration: 90 minutes, including introductions (between 5 and 7 minutes), the presentation itself (10 minutes), and a Q&A session at the end (20-25 minutes).
Presenters:
Croatia
- Prof. Dr. Siniša Zrinščak, University of Zagreb
- Nejra Kadić Meškić, Centre for Cultural Dialogue
Austria
- Dr. Deniz Coşan Eke, University of Vienna
- Mabrouka Rayachi, the Islamic Religious Community in Austria
Serbia
- Dr. Aleksandra Djurić Milovanović, Institute for Balkan Studies SASA
- Samuil Petrovski, Evangelical Student Alliance
Moderator: Djordje Stojanović, PhD Candidate, University of Belgrade
Date and time: March 31, 2025, 16:00 – 17:30 (CET)
Language: English.
The webinar might interest new and experienced researchers, stakeholders, NGOs, policymakers, and immigrant groups.
Join the webinar via this link. No registration is needed.
