Category: News & Events

The latest news, events, and other important communications from CECF.

2026 BUBW Conference Season

Posted on by Laila Gilsinn

The Better Understanding for a Better World (BUBW) Program is back in 2026 with opportunities for high school students to grow as leaders and global citizens. Launched in 2006, BUBW connects American and international students from diverse cultural and faith traditions through leadership training, intercultural learning, and interfaith dialogue. The program aims to break down stereotypes, encourage civic engagement, and inspire youth to become ambassadors of goodwill and reconciliation. Upcoming events include a virtual conference (Feb 28 – Mar 1, 2026) and an in-person gathering in Baltimore (Apr 22 – 26, 2026).

2026 BUBW Conference Season_Flyer

Virtual BUBW Conference

Baltimore BUBW Conference

American – ASEAN Summer School for Religious Diplomacy & Global Leadership 2025

Posted on by Laila Gilsinn

The American-ASEAN Summer School for Religious Diplomacy & Global Leadership is an academic program offered in the United States, Indonesia, and other ASEAN member countries. It is run in the United States by the Civilizations Exchange & Cooperation Foundation (CECF) and Al Basheer Seminary. Similar programs in the U.S. welcome participants from different countries funded by U.S. Embassies in Africa, Europe and Asia.

DISCUSSIONS, TOPICS & VENUES
The curriculum and topics will be related to ASEAN, USA & Europe. This program in July 2025 will be held in Indonesia, in partnership with a variety of Indonesian universities. Faculty from several American and Indonesian universities and institutions will be speaking and involved in the sessions.

OBJECTIVES

  1. Promote Sustainable Peacebuilding and Transformative Conflict Resolution through Peaceful Means
  2. Advance Education, Culture, and Innovative Approaches to Sustainable Development
  3. Promote Continuous Curriculum Review and Development
  4. Foster Collaborative Educational and Cultural Exchange Initiatives
  5. Promote Interfaith Dialogue and Respect for Religious Freedom
  6. Foster Cross-Cultural Understanding and Communication
  7. Promote Women and Youth Leadership Development in the Transatlantic
  8. Address Environmental Challenges through Sustainability and Conservation Efforts in the ASEAN Region
  9. Combat Extremism, Xenophobia, and Fanaticism
  10. Facilitate Knowledge Sharing on Integration Best Practices
  11. Exchange Business Knowledge and Expertise in IT and AI
  12. Explore the Linkages Between Social Equity and Economic Prosperity for Sustainable Pathways
  13. Cultivate Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Educational Systems
  14. Foster Global Partnerships for Sustainable Development
  15. Promote Peacebuilding and Transitional Justice Mechanisms

Conference Report: American-ASEAN Summer School 2025 Indonesia

CECF and Al Basheer Launch School of Religious Diplomacy

Posted on by Jim Gilsinn
People standing in front of flags
Representatives from the UN, Indonesia, and CECF

The official launch of the School of Religious Diplomacy (SRD) for Leadership Development and Global Cooperation took place on 21 May 2025 at The World Bank in Washington, DC. This important initiative was organized by the Civilizations Exchange & Cooperation Foundation (CECF) and Al Basheer Seminary, in partnership with the United Nations (UN) Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect and the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Indonesia. The SRD is designed to enhance the capacity of religious leaders and faith-based actors to engage strategically in dialogue, mediation, and conflict prevention efforts.

The inauguration of the School of Religious Diplomacy is a timely and strategic step in advancing global peace and cooperation. Through the empowerment of religious leaders and structured capacity building, CECF and its partners are laying a strong foundation for inclusive dialogue and sustainable development, rooted in shared human values.

The UN Office of Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect issued a Press Release on 23 May 2025 after the inauguration of the SRD in Washington, DC.

The launch brought together high-level international and interfaith leaders, experts, and diplomats, including:

  • Imam Mohamad Bashar Arafat – Founding President, Civilizations Exchange & Cooperation Foundation (CECF) and Founder and Dean of Al Basheer Seminary, Interfaith Center, and Institute
  • Ms. Virginia Gamba – United Nations Acting Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide
  • Dr. Nasaruddin Umar – Minister of Religious Affairs of Indonesia
  • Dr. Yasser Helmy – Head, International Excellence and Institutional Development Center, Al-Azhar University
  • Jean-Michel Brun – Journalist, filmmaker, and organizer of the International Conference for Peace and Solidarity
  • Mr. Yassir Houtch – Senior Advisor and Trainer, CECF (Countering and Preventing Violent Extremism)
  • Ms. Simona Cruciani – Head of Programmes, UN Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide

Key Discussions

People sitting at a conference table in discussion
Dialogue during the SRD inauguration event.

The launch emphasized the vital and evolving role of religious diplomacy in promoting peace, protecting human rights, and supporting sustainable development. Speakers highlighted the responsibility of religious leaders to go beyond traditional roles and actively engage in global affairs as moral voices and agents of reconciliation and hope. They underscored the alignment between the SRD’s mission and the Fez Plan of Action, which recognizes the unique capacity of religious actors to prevent incitement to violence and promote inclusive, just societies. Interactive discussions explored the value of faith-based approaches in fostering dialogue, resolving conflict, and strengthening community engagement, underscoring the indispensable role of religious actors in peacebuilding.

People having a discussion in front of flags
Indonesian representative having a discussion with representatives from CECF

Next Steps

The SRD will launch a series of dedicated capacity building programs designed to equip religious leaders with the tools and frameworks needed to act as global peacemakers and bridge builders. Participants and institutional partners affirmed their readiness to support the SRD’s activities and to collaborate in broader initiatives that advance dialogue, prevent violence, and nurture mutual respect among diverse communities.

2025 SRD Inauguration Report

55th CECF Conference Held in Baltimore, April 23-27, 2025

Posted on by Jim Gilsinn

Image of students that attended 2025 BUBW Baltimore inside

Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation (CECF) held the 55th BUBW conference in Baltimore, Maryland from April 23rd-27th where students, young leaders from different religious, economic, ethnic, cultural background were engaged in discussion on religion, culture, caring for humanity, international diversity, discrimination, radicalism and extremism, women’s empowerment and global citizenship. We also engaged in an “Interfaith Program” by visiting Church, Synagogue, and Mosque on Friday April 25th.

The 55th BUBW Conference in the USA, which was attended by students from 19 countries, have been full of incredibly rich discussions, which removed many misconceptions participants had of one another through education and personal interactions. The positive impact sent a ripple effect that has made CECF feel compelled to bring these conferences to exchange students from all over the world. To hear from some of our participants, please check out the videos which was made by the BUBW participant from Kyrgyzstan Aizhanat Talantbekova, FLEX program:

“And even though this conference lasted only five days, the connections I made felt incredibly deep, like I had known these people for my whole life. The BUBW community truly became my second family.” (Olha, Ukraine)

Events:

  • Lecture “The World Today – The Family of Adam and Eve: The Need for Crossing the Cultural Divide as We Discover Current Realities in Our World” – Imam Mohamad Bashar Arafat
  • IYS Session I – “Samples of Conflicts Around the World & Why?” – Discussion
  • IYS Session II – UN Architecture for Genocide Prevention and the Framework of Analysis Training Workshop and Breakout Session by Dalila Sadinlija
  • Student Presentations
  • Interfaith Program: Visit a Church, Synagogue and Mosque & Panel
  • Discussion “Moving in the World Forward Together with Fr. William Au, Rabbi Daria Jacobs-Velde, Dr. Fatih Kanca and Imam Mohamad Bashar Arafat
  • Baltimore Harbor and Aquarium Visit
  • Leadership, Youth Involvement, Global Citizenship – Imam Mohamad Bashar Arafat
  • Guest Speaker – Rizma Ilfi Yahya, Lecturer, Darunnajah University, Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Washington D.C. visit
  • Banquet: Awards Ceremony, Student Performances, Panel Discussion

“BUBW was one of the best and pivotal days of my exchange year” (Muhib, Tajikistan)

“This conference has really opened my eyes to new cultures, religions and conflicts around the world” (Lujain, Kuwait)

Image of students that attended 2025 BUBW Baltimore outsideConsidering all the things mentioned above, the BUBW Conference 2025 in Baltimore undeniably became one of the most insightful highlights of the year for lots of passionate ones. It is certainly true that every single conversation there did carry way more behind it than meets the eye. Last but not least, the conference definitely can be distinguished not only by its efficiency and productivity but also the miracle of how fast those having the same mindset become bonded together for a great cause. This truly proves the relativity of the definition of time when it comes to dealing with the power which cannot be observed on a surface level and requires a more profound comprehension.

Conference Reports

American-European/ASEAN Summer School for Religious Diplomacy & Global Leadership 2024

Posted on by Laila Gilsinn

The American-European / ASEAN Summer School for Religious Diplomacy & Global Leadership is an academic program offered in Spain, other European countries, ASEAN countries, and in the U.S. by Civilizations Exchange & Cooperation Foundation (CECF). Our faculty from America, Europe and ASEAN will provide delegations from around the world the opportunity to participate in training and exchange experiences. The 6-day program is open for American, European, and ASEAN religious and community leaders, professionals, educators and intercultural practitioners. It will provide an opportunity to conduct joint training in Europe with religious and community leaders, teachers, women, and youth hosted, in partnership with several European, American, and ASEAN universities, embassies, religious schools, organizations and thinks tanks.

OBJECTIVES

  1. Strengthening relationships between ASEAN and Europe through exchange and cooperation!
  2. Comparing contributions of Islamic civilization to the European renaissance vs. the situation of Islam & Europe today
  3. Bolstering peacebuilding, conflict reconciliation and transformation, and peaceful disputes
  4. Promoting support for women and youth empowerment, and leadership development
  5. Exploring best practices to counter extremism, xenophobia, and fanaticism
  6. Understanding the complex situations of Muslim immigrants and refugees in Europe today
  7. Understanding America and Europe’s Perspectives on Economic Partnerships with the ASEAN Region

Conference Report: American-European-ASEAN Summer School_Spain

Sports & Dialogue Program Held in Annapolis

Posted on by Jim Gilsinn
Groups playing sports and having a discussion
Different groups playing sports and having a discussion during the Building Bridges of Understanding Through Sports event.

CECF participated in the Building Bridges of Understanding Through Sports program, co-sponsored by the Annapolis Police Department, hosted by the Pip Moyer Recreation Center on Saturday, April 27, 2024. The program was a one-day high school youth program designed to promote leadership development in racially, religiously and culturally diverse societies. 

Sports & Dialogue (S&D) Program

Students are constantly bombarded with misconceptions, stereotypes and hate speech. Their access to information has grown exponentially, but it also a cource of great conflice, polarization and division, including race, identification and culture. The CECF Sports & Dialogue (S&D) Program is an all-inclusive program for students to discuss differences when it comes to race, culture, and religion. The program aids young adults in forging lifelong, culturally-diverse friendships and spurs these future leaders into action now against a backdrop of friendly athletic competitions. The S&D Program helps to tear down man-made walls of ignorance and helps to unify youth by coupling interfaith and intercultural dialogue with team sports. 

Participants in the event and representatives from the Annapolis Police Department and CECF
Participants in the Building Bridges of Understanding Through Sports event and representatives from the Annapolis Police Department and CECF.

2024 Sports & Dialogue Flyer