Jakarta: A new generation of leaders is stepping forward to carry on the legacy of the Document on Human Fraternity, as the second edition of the Human Fraternity Fellowship Program concluded in Jakarta. Organized by the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity in partnership with Georgetown University’s Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, the fellowship brought together 10 young leaders from top universities worldwide for intensive training in dialogue, peacebuilding, and interfaith understanding.
The initiative builds directly on the groundbreaking 2019 agreement signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed Al-Tayeb, in Abu Dhabi—a historic call for peace, mutual respect, and fraternity among all people. The fellowship seeks to translate those ideals into action by equipping students with the skills to navigate religious and cultural differences in today’s fractured world.
Following a summer of online workshops, fellows gathered in Jakarta for an immersive study tour. The program featured dialogue training, leadership development, and encounters with influential voices in religion, diplomacy, and humanitarian service.
Highlights included meetings with Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, Archbishop of Jakarta, and Muhammad Jusuf Kalla, former Vice President of Indonesia and member of the Zayed Award judging panel. Fellows also visited institutions embodying human fraternity, including a Muhammadiyah-run hospital and the Dharma Bakti Chinese temple, witnessing firsthand how diverse faith traditions contribute to social harmony in Indonesia.
The fellowship concluded with two major public events: a discussion at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service Asia-Pacific site in Jakarta, reflecting on Pope Francis’ legacy and the Human Fraternity document, followed by a gala dinner hosted in partnership with the UAE Embassy in Jakarta. These gatherings reinforced the program’s commitment to making fraternity and dialogue not just an aspiration, but a lived reality.
Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, praised the fellows for embracing their mission: “We are proud to empower these young people to become leaders of dialogue initiatives, bridge builders between cultures and religions, and role models in advancing the values of human fraternity worldwide.”
Dr. Thomas Banchoff, Vice President for Global Engagement at Georgetown University, emphasized the program’s long-term vision: preparing young leaders to engage constructively across divides that too often fuel conflict.
The students themselves echoed a strong sense of responsibility. Shahaan Shafi of Georgetown University described the program as empowering in advancing “Pope Francis and Grand Imam Al-Tayeb’s call for human fraternity.” Aarushi Prasad of NYU highlighted the privilege of learning from senior Indonesian leaders about how interfaith cooperation shapes national life. From the UAE, Amna Al Baskati stressed: “As a young Emirati, I firmly believe it is the responsibility of our generation to uphold this legacy and contribute to building a better future.”
With its combination of rigorous training, cultural immersion, and high-level engagement, the Human Fraternity Fellowship is cultivating a generation of leaders who will ensure that the message of peace, respect, and solidarity first declared in Abu Dhabi in 2019 continues to resonate across borders and generations.