"This dialogue is essential to complement other existing efforts to nurture peace, harmony and sustainable development," said Cecep Herawan, director general for information and public diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Cecep added that the dialogue aims to help both countries in their policy formulation, especially to deal with multiculturalism.

He reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to advance "moderation, dialogue and tolerance" and added that Indonesia seeks to expand its regular bilateral dialogues – currently held with a total of 28 countries – in the future.

According to Aloisia Wörgetter, head of the Austrian delegation and the task force for the dialogue of cultures and religions at the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs, bilateral dialogue with Indonesia is one of Austria's longest-running diplomatic efforts with any country.

She added that the dialogue has led to other initiatives and collaborations between Indonesians and Austrians, including academic cooperation, student exchanges and civil society engagements.

"Looking at our record of implementation, one can only underline that dialogue is so much more than talk […] [Not only] a soft and peaceful tool, dialogue is also a smart tool," Wörgetter said during her opening remarks.

The Austrian delegation included Edith Schlaffer-Kropiunigg, president for Women Without Borders, and Dominique Bauer, a representative from University of Vienna’s department for Muslim theology.

Indonesia and Austria established diplomatic relations in 1954, with current bilateral cooperation across several areas, such as trade, investment, as well as sustainable technology and education.

During the event, Cecep also highlighted Indonesia’s digital initiative that seeks to empower leaders of peace through digital platforms. The initiative was launched in February 2016.

"We invite all countries to join the new initiative and build a global integrated counter-narrative campaign against the spread of extremist ideologies," Cecep said.

The Indonesian delegation included Abdurrahman Mas’ud, head of research and development and director general for the Islamic community at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and Abdul Muk’ti, chairman of Muhammadiyah, the country's largest Muslim organization.

The delegations are expected to produce a joint statement at the end of the meeting, which will highlight results of the discussion and plans for the future.

Source: jakartaglobe.id