On 11 January 2016, the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs (DVIFA) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), a subsidiary organ of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC), organized an international symposium on “Interfaith Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence in Multicultural Societies” at Anantara Siam Hotel, Bangkok. Approximately 200 participants from the academia, government agencies, civil society, religious institutions, media, as well as diplomatic corps and international organizations attended the Symposium.

In their opening remarks, H.E. Mr. Iyad Ameed Madani, Secretary-General of OIC, and H.E. Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, emphasized the aims of the Symposium in fostering peaceful coexistence in multi-religious and multicultural societies as well as preventing violence and extremism.  Focus was given to the roles of youth, education, media and civil society in promoting mutual understanding among different faiths. The Symposium discussions were led by Thai and foreign speakers from various sectors such as Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and former Secretary-General of ASEAN, Tan Sri Dato Sri Dr. Syed Hamid Albar, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, and Venerable Phra Dr. Shakyavongvisudhhi (Anil Sakya).

On 12 January 2016, DVIFA will organise an excursion for the speakers and IRCICA staff to Bangkok’s Kadeejeen-Klongsan community in order to demonstrate an example of a multicultural Thai community where people of various faiths have lived together in harmony and been able to practice their beliefs freely for generations.