This paper argues that implementing interfaith activities between the youth of different religions, cultures, gender, and age contributes to peaceful coexistence. The paper asserts that increased interaction helps shape their attitudes and the intended behaviours because it increases their knowledge and understanding about the commonalities and differences between the various religious groups. Such interactions enhance their cross-religious and cross-cultural communication and instil the values of acceptance, tolerance, and respect. The paper draws these conclusions from a study on the outcomes of the Communities Richer in Diversity project, which the Anglican Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa (ADE) implemented in three slums, namely, Ezbet El-Nakhel, Miser El-Kadima, and Madient El-Salam, that are in the Cairo governorate. The project targeted youth aged between 18 and 29 years old, who came from different religious and cultural backgrounds.

Here is the case study: CASE STUDY SERIES NO. 2

Communities Richer in Diversity (CRID)

The four-year Communities Richer in Diversity project (CRID) aims at leveraging the influence of faith leaders and institutions to promote cultural diversity and respect for equal dignity in six African countries, namely, Burundi, Egypt, Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania. It was initiated by a consortium of faith-based organisations and networks, including Faith to Action Network (F2A), Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA), African Council of Religious Leaders-Religion for Peace (ACRL-RfP), and All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) with financial support from the European Union (EU). The project started in April 2018, and by 31 March 2021, six-country partners had reached at least 25,000 young men and women with interfaith and intercultural interventions. Such interventions enhanced the understanding, tolerance, and respect for cultural and religious diversity among the project participants and beneficiaries in the six countries. The activities can be categorised into four broad areas: edutainment and performance arts, peer education and capacity enhancement, community peacebuilding, and shaping of public discourse.