The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

Snapshot

Country: Indonesia
Type of Organization: Academic
Constructive Practices:
Education
Publication
Visitor Programs

Mission

From their website :
"The Gadjah Mada University Center for Religious and Cross-Cultur[al] Studies Graduate Program strives to produce Masters level graduates with not only a broad range of knowledge, but a deep understanding and commitment to the multidisciplinary study [of] global religious traditions. Graduates from this program posses[s] the skills to critically analyze and address problems related to religion and to develop as professionals and leaders in the field of Religious and Cross-Cultural Studies through teaching and researching in institutes of higher education or by becoming leaders in other religion-related institutions or programs."

Description

Created in 2000-2001, the center is located at Gadjah Mada University in Yogjakarta. It offers two main programs: an MPA and a Religion and Cross-Cultural Studies Program. Last year, five of the graduates received Fulbright awards for study in the U.S. Other graduates have accepted positions in government, academia and nonprofit organizations.

History

In 2000, Indonesia was rocked by a series of violent religious and interethnic conflicts, damaging its self-perception as a country of tolerance and pluralism. In response, the Center for Religious and Cross-Cultural Studies at Gadjah Mada University was established by those who felt that Indonesia’s educational system did not address the country’s unique multiculturalism. The Center received some initial funding from the Indonesian Ministries of Education, Foreign Affairs, and Religious Affairs. Currently, the Center’s library is woefully under-funded and students lack access to even the most basic range of texts needed to support their studies. In addition, the Center has few resources to cover its basic administrative needs. Although student volunteers have provided some services, the Center needs to improve its resources and infrastructure in order to continue providing important cross cultural education to Indonesian students.

Membership

Admission is open to all, but the majority of students are Indonesians of college and graduate school age, who speak Bahasa Indonesia and English. Students at the Center for Cross-Cultural and Religious Studies are among the future political, religious and educational policy-makers and leaders of Indonesia. Up to 30 students per year are admitted.

Publications

Some theses by CRCCS students are available online at the publications page of their website