On April 21–22, 2026, at the Portuguese Catholic University.
Over the course of two days, national and international experts, religious leaders, and representatives of civil society will gather at the Portuguese Catholic University in Braga to discuss the contemporary challenges of interfaith dialogue.
The initiative stems from the European project InterMu-Se – Inter-religious coalition building against anti-Muslim hatred and anti-Semitism –, funded by the European Commission’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values program, whose main objectives were to encourage the active participation of religious leaders and institutions in building more inclusive communities, as well as to raise awareness among policymakers regarding the importance of public policies that promote diversity, tolerance, and social cohesion. The main findings of the project will be presented on April 21 and 22 at the Portuguese Catholic University in Braga.
“Over the course of two years, the InterMu-Se project sought to assess negative stereotypes and forms of intolerance, particularly against Jewish and Muslim communities, in order to develop methodologies that would foster capacity-building and greater understanding among Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities,” says André Vieira Antunes, a researcher and member of the project team in Portugal. As a result, practices and methodologies were developed to help combat hate crimes and radicalization. The project involved seven European countries: Portugal, Greece, France, Italy, Spain, Cyprus, and Ireland.
“In an international context marked by tensions and polarization, initiatives such as InterMu-Se are essential for promoting dialogue, mutual understanding, and respect among different religious communities,” says Paulo Dias, vice-rector of the Portuguese Catholic University.
The conference program includes several thematic panels addressing key contemporary issues. On the first day, a highlight will be the panel “Interfaith Dialogue in the 21st Century,” which will feature experts such as Salar Abassi, Victor Sorenssen, Archbishop Michael Jackson of Dublin, Christine Taieb, and Areti Demosthenous. Also on April 21, the project’s main findings will be presented, including common challenges and best practices in intercultural and interfaith cooperation, as well as the training program developed for religious leaders and civil society organizations.
The second day will be devoted to topics such as religious freedom and coexistence in polarized societies, with presentations by representatives of European organizations and religious leaders, including Maryana Hnyp, Imam David Munir, and Patricia Kieran. The conference concludes with the panel discussion “A Culture of Encounter for a Divided World,” which will bring together experts from academic institutions and international organizations to reflect on ways to promote dialogue in a world marked by social and cultural divisions.
As part of its Capacity-Building Program, the project was implemented in seven countries—Portugal, Ireland, Greece, France, Spain, Italy, and Cyprus—through the organization of 18 seminars, which were attended by 197 people, exceeding the initial target of 180 participants. Among the key impacts are increased intercultural awareness, improved communication skills, and the intention to apply the knowledge gained in their communities.
The results also show that the program “significantly contributed to strengthening dialogue and cooperation among people from different backgrounds, while identifying areas for improvement, such as the need for more time for discussion and follow-up on activities.”
At the same time, the project facilitated the creation and revitalization of local coalitions in several European countries, involving more than 500 participants in initiatives focused on interfaith harmony, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion.
