UNESCO CHAIR For Inter-Religious Dialogue Studies in The Islamic World
Baghdad – Wednesday, October 1, 2025
The UNESCO Chair for Interreligious Dialogue at the University of Kufa took part in the International Conference of UNESCO Chairs, organized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in cooperation with the UNESCO Office in Baghdad. The event was held from October 1–2, 2025, within the halls of the University of Baghdad, bringing together an elite group of academics and researchers from Iraqi, Arab, and international universities, along with experts from global organizations.
At the opening session, Dr. Haider Abdul-Zahad, Deputy Minister for Scientific Research Affairs, emphasized that the Ministry, through such conferences and scientific workshops, seeks to strengthen research collaboration with leading academic institutions worldwide — a pursuit that contributes to the internationalization and enhancement of the academic reputation of Iraqi universities, while advancing the development of educational curricula.
In his address, Mr. Alexandros Makarigakis, Head of the UNESCO Office in Baghdad, underscored the importance of the conference as a pivotal platform for promoting higher education and consolidating intercultural dialogue. He highlighted its role in fostering peace and sustainable development through academic cooperation, commending the Ministry’s initiatives in the realms of education, vocational training, and technical development.
The conference was also attended by Dr. Abdel-Majid Ben Amara, Secretary-General of the Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils, and it encompassed four strategic themes representing the main areas of UNESCO Chairs in Iraq:
– The UNESCO Chair for Interreligious Dialogue at the University of Kufa
– The UNESCO Chair for the Prevention of Violent Extremism at the University of Mosul
– The UNESCO Chair for Genocide Prevention at the University of Baghdad
– The UNESCO Chair for Health and Society at the American University of Iraq, Baghdad
The sessions also featured international case studies illustrating the experiences of UNESCO Chairs in integrating the concepts of coexistence and dialogue into academic curricula.
During the event, a number of distinguished academics and researchers from Iraqi, Arab, and international universities — as well as representatives of international organizations — were honored in recognition of their contributions to the advancement of higher education and scientific research.
The proceedings of the conference unfolded across four thematic axes, each directed by one of the UNESCO Chairs hosted at the four Iraqi universities: the University of Kufa, the University of Baghdad, the University of Mosul, and the American University of Iraq in Baghdad.
Activities of the UNESCO Chair for Interreligious Dialogue: Four Sessions Over Two Days
On the first day of the conference, Wednesday, October 1, 2025, the UNESCO Chair for Interreligious Dialogue at the University of Kufa led two sessions:
Day One – Session One
Entitled “Interreligious Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence in Iraq After 2003,” this session brought together eight speakers representing the diverse components of Iraqi society. They offered the international guests and attendees an insightful and vivid portrait of Iraq’s pluralistic and harmonious coexistence, despite the political and social challenges that followed the transformations of 2003.
The session was chaired by Dr. Ali Al-Moussawi, Secretary-General of the International Council for Religious and Humanitarian Dialogue in Norway.
Day One – Session Two
Bearing the title “Skills and Expertise in Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue: International Experiences,” the session opened with a presentation of the University of Kufa’s UNESCO Chair experience, followed by a showcase of comparable initiatives from UNESCO Chairs in Spain, Australia, and Austria. Contributions also came from academic institutions and civil society organizations in France, Sweden, and Norway.
This session was chaired by Dr. Alaa Shatnan, Director of the UNESCO Chair for the Development of Interreligious Dialogue Studies in the Islamic World – University of Kufa.
