Duration: March 2014 – January 2016
Location: Bekasi, Bogor, Bandung, Madura, Malang, Jember
Partner: AMAN Indonesia
Status: Completed
Overview
The Youth Ambassadors for Tolerance and Religious Diversity project was an 18-month initiative aimed at promoting inter- and intra-faith cooperation in communities experiencing high religious tension in Indonesia. Targeting youth as key changemakers, the project equipped them to serve as “Ambassadors of Peace”—local champions who campaign for tolerance, dialogue, and respect for religious diversity within their communities.
Implemented across six cities in Java, the project empowered young people with the skills, confidence, and platforms to advocate for pluralism, foster understanding, and reduce prejudice in regions most affected by sectarian divides.
Context
Indonesia’s long tradition of religious pluralism—enshrined in its national philosophy of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity)—has come under strain in recent years due to rising intolerance and discrimination against religious minorities. Reports from the SETARA Institute documented a sharp increase in incidents of religious intolerance, particularly in West and East Java, where Ahmadiyah, Shi’a, and Protestant communities have faced persecution and restrictions on worship.
Youth in these regions are often caught between narratives of division and exclusion, with few opportunities for interfaith engagement or learning about other religions. The project responded to this gap by creating safe spaces and experiential learning opportunities that enable young people from different faiths to interact, collaborate, and become active voices for peace and tolerance in their communities.
Objectives
- Develop the capacity of youth ambassadors to promote inter- and intra-faith cooperation and tolerance.
- Increase understanding among youth of the importance of religious diversity and peaceful coexistence.
- Foster positive community perceptions on interfaith collaboration and the value of tolerance.
Key Activities
- Youth and stakeholder mapping to identify influential young leaders and community actors.
- Development of a youth camp curriculum focusing on interfaith dialogue, leadership, and peacebuilding.
- Youth camps to train participants as “Ambassadors for Tolerance.”
- “Celebrating Religious Diversity” roadshows showcasing collaborative youth-led initiatives across regions.
- Community action plans designed and implemented by youth to promote interfaith cooperation and understanding.
Impact
The project strengthened the role of young people as active promoters of religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue in communities affected by religious tension. Youth ambassadors became catalysts for change—organizing public discussions, art-based campaigns, and educational activities that encouraged acceptance and cooperation across religious lines.
Participants reported increased confidence, empathy, and understanding of diverse faith traditions, while community members noted greater openness to interfaith engagement. The project also strengthened collaboration between youth networks, religious leaders, and civil society groups, paving the way for continued local initiatives promoting harmony and peace across Java.
