Building Peace in Prague, Kazakhstan Travels West, and Businesses as Agents of Religious Pluralism

LYNC RADIO

LYNC RADIO SHOW NOTES

Episode Title: Multi-Faith Developments in Prague, Kazakhstan’s Progress, and Businesses as Agents of Peace

Host: Jessica Eturralde

Segment Breakdown with Time Stamps

[00:00] - Introduction

• Host Jessica Eturralde previews the episode, highlighting key topics:
• Multi-faith developments in Prague.
• Kazakhstan’s growing interreligious engagement.
• A feature interview with Dr. Eva Witesman on how businesses contribute to communities beyond financial support.

[02:10] - Prague Multi-Faith Conference Recap

• Coverage of the multi-faith conference held in Prague in partnership with Czech Ambassador Robert Rehak, LYNC, IRF Secretariat, and Templeton Religion Trust.

Notable details include:

• Program themes: peacebuilding, countering Islamophobia, and radical ideologies.
• Event highlights and key messages, such as fostering tolerance and promoting action.

[05:32] - Notable Speakers at the Prague Conference

• Highlights from key speakers:
• Mohamed Mosaad Abdelaziz Mohamed: Importance of dialogue, trust-building post-conflict, and engagement with radical perspectives.
• Hana Bendkowsky: Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) as a call for justice and compassion.
• Sheikh Al Mahfoudh Bin Bayyah: The role of the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi as an educational multi-faith space.

[13:08] - Greg Mitchell and Ambassador Rehak’s Reflections

• IRF CEO Greg Mitchell: Call for multi-faith collaboration, practical takeaways, and future plans to launch regional centers.
• Ambassador Robert Rehak: Appeal to attendees to foster dialogue and combat hatred beyond the event.

[17:57] - Kazakhstan’s Delegation and Multi-Faith Efforts

• Coverage of Kazakhstan’s delegation to Prague and its growing role in promoting interreligious dialogue.
• Details from discussions with Vice Minister Kanat Iskakov and other officials:
• Emphasis on religious freedom, addressing hate speech, and exploring AI solutions.
• Upcoming initiatives such as the cross-cultural religious literacy program at Caspian University.
• Quotes from Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Culture and Information Kanat Iskakov on the country’s progress and LYNC CEO Wade Kusack on the broader impact of LYNC’s work in Central Asia.

[21:52] - Extended Interview: Dr. Eva Witesman

• Highlights from the conversation with Dr. Eva Witesman, professor at BYU’s Marriott School of Business:
• Corporations as public social spaces influencing religious freedom and social cohesion.
• The role of businesses in peacebuilding and addressing community challenges beyond philanthropy.
• Call for collaboration between civil society, governments, and businesses to foster sustainable development.
• Quote: “It’s not just about profit; businesses are key players in shaping public values and building peace.”
• WATCH THE EPISODE : https://youtu.be/ego-uOulSgg

[28:45] - Episode Wrap-Up

• Host Jessica Eturralde recaps the episode and encourages listeners to:
• Subscribe, like, and share the program.
• Tune in for the next episode, which will feature a detailed segment on Kazakhstan’s first ever Cross-Cultural Religious Literacy Program.

Episode Links

• Watch the full interview with Dr. Eva Witesman on the LYNC YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/ego-uOulSgg
• View keynotes/panels from the Prague event > Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue: Freedom of Religion or Belief to Build Peace: https://www.youtube.com/live/37BfCKcYznA?si=aOhbLGZ9xeeH5Zy9

Call to Action

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please like, subscribe, and share with someone who would benefit from this content. Together, we can foster more cohesive and inclusive societies.

Host: Jessica Eturralde

Produced by: Love Your Neighbor Community (LYNC)

Runtime: ~30 minutes