Makassar, June 23, 2026 – The Faculty of Adab and Humanities, UIN Alauddin Makassar, successfully hosted the International Forum on Peace Talk, bringing together academics, international organizations, and peace advocates to discuss collaborative efforts toward global peace. Held in a hybrid format at the Lecture Theater (LT) Room, the forum carried the theme “Peace Talks for the Cessation of War, Interfaith Dialogue, Cultural Understanding, and Global Cooperation for a Peaceful Future.”
The event was jointly organized by the Faculty of Adab and Humanities, UIN Alauddin Makassar; the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication, UIN North Sumatra; the International Institute for Islamic Studies of Qom, Iran; and Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), South Korea. The collaboration reflected a shared commitment to fostering intercultural understanding, interfaith dialogue, and sustainable peace through academic engagement.
The forum was officially opened with welcoming remarks from Prof. Dr. Hasan Sazali, M.A., Dean of the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication, UIN North Sumatra, followed by Prof. Dr. H. Barsihannor, M.Ag., Dean of the Faculty of Adab and Humanities, UIN Alauddin Makassar, who formally inaugurated the event. A representative from HWPL also delivered opening remarks emphasizing the importance of global partnerships in advancing peace initiatives.
The Peace Talks session featured distinguished speakers from Indonesia and abroad. Prof. Dr. H. Barsihannor, M.Ag. discussed the role of higher education institutions in cultivating peace through education and intercultural dialogue. Nicole Anne Lopez, National Coordinator of HWPL Philippines, highlighted youth engagement and civil society initiatives in promoting peaceful communities. Prof. Dr. H. Zainul Fuad, M.A., Director of the Alfarabi Learning Center Foundation, shared perspectives on religious harmony and social cohesion, while Dr. Qasem Muhammadi from the International Institute for Islamic Studies of Qom, Iran, presented insights on the geopolitical issues and peacebuilding from an Islamic perspective.
The presentations were followed by an interactive panel discussion and open forum, providing participants with an opportunity to exchange ideas on addressing contemporary global challenges, including armed conflict, religious intolerance, and cultural misunderstanding. The discussion underscored the importance of universities as centers for peace education and dialogue among diverse communities.
Lecturers and students from the English Literature Study Program (BSI) actively participated in the forum, engaging with international scholars and practitioners while expanding their perspectives on peace studies, intercultural communication, and global citizenship. The event also served as an important platform for strengthening international academic networking and supporting the university's internationalization agenda.
The program concluded with the reading of the Peace Declaration by the HWPL representative, followed by a group photo session involving all speakers and participants as a symbolic commitment to promoting peace through education, dialogue, and international cooperation.
The successful organization of the International Forum on Peace Talk reflects the Faculty of Adab and Humanities' ongoing commitment to fostering international collaboration and producing graduates who are globally engaged, culturally responsive, and dedicated to building a more peaceful and inclusive world.
Editor: PC
