First expert round table
On 18 September 2025, an Expert Round Table entitled “Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue Today” was held at the Palace of Independence in Astana as part of the VIII Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. The event was dedicated to an academic and expert examination of religious diplomacy in the context of global challenges.
The modern world is facing an increasing number of complex challenges, ranging from conflicts and migration to climate change and the rapid development of digital technologies. Against this backdrop, the need to bring together the efforts of religious leaders, scholars and experts to develop coordinated approaches to addressing pressing global issues has become particularly acute.
The objective of the event was to discuss the potential for integrating scientific approaches into religious dialogue, as well as to develop partnerships between religious organizations, the academic community and expert institutions.
The Round Table brought together representatives of leading universities and research centers from around the world working in such fields as international relations, digital ethics, sustainable development, religious diplomacy and humanitarian cooperation. Particular attention was paid to interdisciplinary research, analytical approaches and the development of practical recommendations for strengthening interreligious and intercultural dialogue.
Following the discussions, participants proposed establishing a long-term platform bringing together academic and religious knowledge to serve society and strengthen global mutual understanding. Potential areas of cooperation included partnerships with interfaith centers at universities such as Oxford, Harvard, Yale, Georgetown, LSE, Tufts, Groningen and Bar-Ilan, as well as with individual researchers specializing in spiritual diplomacy.
The Round Table marked an important step in developing a new substantive dimension of the Congress, aimed at broadening the horizons of dialogue through scientifically grounded and practically applicable solutions.
