On September 18, 2025, at the Palace of Independence in Astana, as part of the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, an expert round table titled “Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue Today” was held, dedicated to the scientific and expert analysis of religious diplomacy amid global challenges.
The modern world faces a growing number of complex challenges – from conflicts and migration to climate change and the rapid development of digital technologies. In this context, the urgent need to unite the efforts of spiritual leaders, scholars, and experts to find coordinated approaches to addressing pressing global issues has become increasingly apparent.
The event aimed to discuss the potential for integrating a scientific approach into religious dialogue, as well as to develop partnerships between religious organizations, the academic community, and expert institutions.
Representatives from leading universities and research centers worldwide participated in the round table, specializing in fields such as international relations, digital ethics, sustainable development, religious diplomacy, and humanitarian cooperation. The focus was done on interdisciplinary research, analytical approaches, and the preparation of practical recommendations to strengthen interreligious and intercultural dialogue.
Following the discussions, it was proposed to establish a long-term platform uniting scientific and religious knowledge to serve society and enhance global understanding. One potential direction for development is to foster cooperation with interreligious centers at universities such as Oxford, Harvard, Yale, Georgetown, LSE, Tufts, Groningen, Bar-Ilan, among others, as well as with individual researchers specializing in spiritual diplomacy.
The round table marked an important step in developing a new substantive direction for the Congress, aimed at expanding the horizons of dialogue through scientifically grounded and practically applicable solutions.
