Why deep listening and dialogue really matters for youth?

Youth have been frontline actors for social change, nonetheless they are subject to exploitation and misuse by vested interest groups. They are both victims and perpetrators of violence, including religiously inspired ones. Deep listening and inter-faith dialogue are key tools in helping them turn foe to friend and in overcoming the image of enemy through the promotion of sister and brotherhood across lines of deeply divided societies. Listening is often taken for granted, based on the assumption that it is simplistic, which therefore can lead to misinterpretation and is often accompanied by destructive consequences. In fact it requires concentration, care and most importantly empathy to capture not just verbal messages but the feelings and intent of the speaker.

Conflict arises with reasons, most of which are legitimate, therefore listening is a powerful tool in conflict transformation as it helps both listener and speaker to understand interests and fears to mutually fulfill the former and eliminate the latter. It nurtures trust among conflicting parties and empowers the trauma survivors to explore their ability from within. It serves as a key instrument in inter-faith dialogue whose aim is not conversion, but understanding and appreciation of differences at both internal and external levels. It helps oneself explore and transform hidden prejudices into empathy; this is how understanding of oneself is enriched by an understanding of others. Both tools work in a mutually empowering fashion which enhances their ability to discern the complexities of conflict and foster cooperation for the transformation of unjust structures and violent cultures; this is with an aim of achieving common dreams collectively envisioned through deep listening and dialogue.

While religion is often understood by believers and non-believers as a source of violence the misunderstandings and misinterpretations that arise from this can be challenged and corrected. Inter-faith dialogue also offers space for young people of various faiths to explore peace-building guidance that is inherent in all faith traditions and to integrate these resources for collective action for peace.

-Ekraj Sabur
Director
International Institute of Peace Studies (IIPS)

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