M

embers of the global civil society have agreed that fostering education is important to counter the spread of violent extremism, as it is both empowering for women as well as indicative of the collective responsibilities within communities.

Concluding the sixth World Peace Forum (WPF) on Thursday, over 180 religious leaders, activists, scholars and civil society organizations from across the world agreed to issue the Jakarta Communiqué, which is a set of recommendations for relevant stakeholders to counter violent extremism.

The forum drew attention to the importance of education: “The lack of an all-encompassing education at school [...] or the risk of receiving an education that is heavily skewed toward radical extremism could generate radicalization,” the communiqué states.

During the panel on the role of women in communities, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said she was able to become the person she is today because her parents let her read anything that piqued her interests. The former businesswoman became famous as the Cabinet minister who did not complete high school.

“During Ramadhan, I was sent to a three-week pesantren [Islamic boarding school] once a year until I was 15. I also had to learn Javanese dance, but I was free to read anything,” she said, citing the teachings of Buddha and Confucius as recent interests.

Susi’s testimony “gave a fresh picture of what it means when a woman becomes a resource for society”, said Italian panelist Valeria Martano of the Community of Sant’Egidio.

“Education is the key to human dignity,” Martano emphasized.

Mehrezia Labidi Maiza, coordinator of the Global Women of Faith Network, said one reason for success in Tunisia on fighting violent extremism during the 2011 revolution was the high level of education in society.

“Women are educated and active in civil society. So even in times of crisis, the role of women was positive in legislation, drafting the constitution and gathering people to support democracy,” the former Tunisian legislator said.

“With regard to violent extremism, many women were taking part in educating and raising awareness. [...] it is by educating the soul and understanding the message of our religions that we can be better.”

The Tunisian Revolution was a campaign for civil resistance leading to the ousting of longtime president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and later the resignation of Mohammed Ghannouchi.

Meanwhile, Norway’s Gunnar Stålsett, Bishop Emeritus of Oslo, said rejection of violent extremism should go hand-in-hand with shared wellbeing.

“Civil society [...] functions as a security valve against autocratic rule, a necessary agent of human rights — the result of community actions,” said Stålsett, a recipient of the Niwano Peace Prize, an award of excellence for inter-religious cooperation.

“A strong civil society may prevent the spread of extremism; the society may be religious or secular, but it can share the message of humanity and wellbeing,” Stålsett added.

Imam Shamsi Ali, a Muslim cleric from New York, highlighted the importance of education as the responsibility of religious communities.

 “It is about how to humanize the teachings of [the Prophet Muhammad] on ta’aruf — ‘to know’ but also ‘to get to know others’,” he said. “I translate that into interfaith dialogue.”