Faith to Action Network participated in the 8th International Dakwah Conference (IDACON) that took place on May 17, 2024, at Loman Park Hotel in Yogyakarta. This event is another strategic milestone proving the collaborations Faith to Action Network is making with academic institutions to strengthen policy and practice linkages around inter faith agencies promoting SDGs.
This year’s theme centered on the contribution of religious communities to achieving SDGs was hosted by the Faculty of Da’wah and Communication at Sunan Kalijaga University. The conference covered several key themes including Da’wah’s role in alleviating poverty and eradicating hunger, the contribution of humanities to promoting good health and well-being, advancing gender equity, disability rights, and social inclusion in academic institutions and communities, strategies for managing decent work and fostering economic justice and inter-religious communication to promote respect, collaboration, peace, and sustainable living.
Speakers at the conference included the Chief Executive Officer of the Faith to Action Network Peter K. Munene, General Secretary of PP ‘Aisyiyah Dr. Tri Hastuti Nur Rochimah Faith to Action Network partner, Muslim Family Counselling Service in Ghana represented by Bun Bida Mohammed, Faith to Action Network Gender Justice and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights lead Scholastica Kanyua Kaaria, UIN Sunan Kalijaga faculty Prof. Dr. Arif Maftuhin and Chairperson of Alimat Dr. Iklilah Muzayyanah Dini Fajriyah.
In his presentation, Faith to Action Network CEO Peter K. Munene provided an overview of the status of African faith leaders and the SDGs, noting the role they play in disseminating information about the SDGs, the weak linkages between ongoing interventions and contributions to the SDGs, and the challenges in documenting faith actions. He stressed the need for resources to address the gap in faith involvement in SDG actualization. These sentiments were further emphasized by a case study presentation by Faith to Action Network partner in Ghana Mohamed Bun Bida. He observed that discussing the SDGs without involving the faith community is incomplete, as religious texts and teachings reflect each of the SDGs. He highlighted mechanisms such as the Ouagadougou Partnership, the Maputo Protocol, ECOWAS, and the AU, which recognize the role of faith communities in driving governmental commitments. Through the support from Faith to Action Network, Muslim Family Counseling Services has been engaging religious and cultural leaders in addressing SDG 3 on health and well-being as well as SDG 17 on peace and justice. These engagements still need support to reach more religious leaders using inter-faith caravans such as those that Faith to Action Network has been hosting to drive uptake of family planning services. Mohamed added.
In locating the actualization of SDGs, Faith to Action Network’s Gender Justice and SRHR Lead Scholastica Kaaria emphasized the importance of addressing the digital divide in attaining the SDGs. She argued that faith actors could significantly bridge the gender digital divide by leveraging their influential positions within communities and their capacity to mobilize resources and awareness. She suggested:
- Advocacy and Awareness: Raising awareness about the importance of digital literacy and access for women and girls.
- Education and Training: Inclusion of digital literacy courses to help women and girls acquire essential skills to navigate and utilize digital technologies effectively.
- Infrastructure Support: Ensuring spaces are safe and welcoming for women, encouraging their use.
These sentiments complimented remarks from Dr. Tri Hastuti Nur Rochimah and Prof. Dr. Arif Maftuhin who both discussed the contributions to SDG achievements at both the provincial level (West Java, East Java, South Sulawesi, West Borneo) and the district level (Cirebon, Garut, Sumedang, Sambas, West Muna districts) through universities and local communities. Prof Arif Maftuhin stressed the need to empower individuals and communities to become agents of positive change, requiring effective action across religious and national boundaries. He highlighted how Islamic principles inform global development efforts, aligning with SDGs on social justice, environmental conservation, and economic fairness. He also discussed practical applications, such as how Islamic fintech startups promote financial inclusion and support sustainable development initiatives, while noting the challenges in integrating Islamic finance with SDGs and measuring impact.
In closing, Dr. Iklilah Muzayyanah Dini Fajriyah discussed the interconnections across various SDGs determining the priority actions of the Indonesian government. She provided an overview of the current condition of Indonesian women based on 2022 BPS data from the Women and Children Profile publication by KPPPA in 2023. She highlighted the significant role of State Islamic Higher Education Institutions (PTKIN), especially the Faculty of Dakwah, in responding to challenges faced by Indonesian women through study programs focused on women’s empowerment, gender equality, and community service programs aimed at raising awareness about gender issues.
The outcomes of the conference will be utilized in future engagements with research and policy institutions to serve as best practices on how inter-faith organizations can collaborate with academic faculty in addressing pressing global challenges. This according to Peter Munene is the unique niche and contribution that Faith to Action Network brings to these global conversations.
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