Auckland student selected for Indonesian based scholarship

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Auckland student selected for Indonesian based scholarship

An Auckland University student has been selected for an international scholarship in Indonesia for young people who have been indentified as future faith leaders.

Carlo Aquino David is in his mid 20’s and studying political science.

The seven week programme is sponsored by the Indonesian Government and aims to provide opportunities for 15 young people from around the Asia-Pacific region to connect with one another and build interfaith dialogue.

It will feature lectures and discussion on faith diversity in the Asia-Pacific region, with a particular focus on Indonesia; workshops on conflict resolution and faith; and visits to sites of cultural and religious significance.

Acting Director for the Office of Ethnic Affairs, Berlinda Chin says the scholarship represents a strengthening of New Zealand’s links with Indonesia and is a tremendous opportunity to promote greater awareness and mutual understanding of faiths in the region.

“Indonesia’s importance in the region is growing and as our two countries become more familiar with each other, the opportunities to share ideas and do business improve.”

“New Zealand and Indonesia already have a great deal of contact at the highest level, involving young people deepens this relationship and will stand the region in good stead for the future.”

“I wish Carlo a memorable experience which will extend his understanding of different faiths and cultures, establish networks, and encourage interfaith activity for the benefit of all New Zealanders.”

Carlo Aquino David is of the Catholic faith and is looking forward to putting forward his perspective on interfaith dialogue.

“I firmly believe that interfaith harmony is essential to creating a peaceful global community,” he says.

The Future Faith Leaders project forms the Special Program of the Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship 2012.

It is a follow-up activity to the Semarang Action Plan, which concluded the 6th Regional Interfaith Dialogue in March 2012.

The programme was formally opened on 22 May 2012 and will run until mid-July 2012. It is organised by the Islamic State University of Sunan Kalijaga, Jogjakarta.

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