Georgetown SFS Asia Pacific, in collaboration with Temasek Foundation, the Harmony in Diversity Award, and 5P Global Movement Indonesia, hosted “Pathways to Peace: Building Bridges Through Cross-Cultural Understanding,” a dialogue exploring how empathy, inclusion, and cross-cultural cooperation can contribute to lasting peace across Southeast Asia.
The event featured His Eminence Cardinal Orlando B. Quevedo, O.M.I., the inaugural recipient of the 2026 Harmony in Diversity Award, and M. Arsjad Rasjid P.M., founder and chair of 5P Global Movement. Cardinal Quevedo received the award for his decades of working to foster peace in the Southern Philippines through sustained engagement and shifting the view of the conflict to focus on the underlying inequalities and drivers of the conflict. The discussion brought together perspectives from faith, academia, civil society, and peacebuilding to examine how individuals and institutions can help strengthen social cohesion.
Opening the event, Prof. Yuhki Tajima, Founding Rector of Georgetown SFS Asia Pacific, reflected on the importance of highlighting the work of peacebuilders to inspire young people to carry on the work of building bridges across communities to sustain peacebuilding processes.
“Because it challenges all of us, especially our students and young people, to ask what role we ourselves can play in creating a more resilient, inclusive society,” Tajima said.
His remarks underscored Georgetown SFS Asia Pacific’s commitment to educating principled leaders who can navigate complex global challenges while fostering understanding across cultures, faiths, and communities.
Introducing Cardinal Quevedo, Narriman A. Ambolodto, Representing the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, highlighted his decades-long commitment to peacebuilding, interfaith dialogue, and reconciliation in Mindanao.
“Through this pastoral vision, he ensured that peacebuilding was not confined to negotiation tables, but lived out in communities, our schools, and places of worship,” Ambolodto said.
During the discussion, Arsjad Rasjid emphasized the importance of partnerships grounded in trust, mutual respect, and shared purpose. He reflected on the role of collaboration across sectors and communities in advancing peace, inclusion, and sustainable prosperity.
Drawing on his experience in peacebuilding and conflict resolution, Cardinal Quevedo emphasized that peace begins at the individual level before extending to families, communities, and nations.
“As the song says, ‘Let there be peace, begin with me.’ Peace begins from the heart. If peace is in the heart,” Cardinal Quevedo said.
Throughout the conversation, speakers highlighted listening, empathy, justice, and respect for diversity as essential foundations for lasting peace. They encouraged participants to view cultural and religious differences not as barriers, but as opportunities to deepen understanding and build more resilient societies.
Closing the program, Sharon Kwek, Director, Programmes & Partnerships, Temasek Foundation, reminded participants that peacebuilding is a shared responsibility.
“So I hope today’s conversation reminds us that each of us has a role to play in the foundation of peace,” Kwek said.
The dialogue reflected the shared commitment of Georgetown SFS Asia Pacific, Temasek Foundation, the Harmony in Diversity Award, and 5P Global Movement Indonesia to advancing cross-cultural understanding and supporting future leaders committed to peace and social cohesion.
As Southeast Asia continues to navigate complex social and geopolitical challenges, the event served as a reminder that lasting peace is built not only through institutions and diplomacy, but also through the everyday choices individuals make to listen, understand, and build bridges across differences.