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Indonesia Council Open Conference 2025
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Guru Bacarita: An Encounter with Post-Conflict Peacebuilding in Ambon

Individual Paper

Individual Paper

11:00 am

10 July 2025

M01 + M02 (Melbourne Connect)

Session 7: Religion, Gender and Peacebuilding

One Conference streams

Religion

Submission Description

The Ambon conflict was a deadly clash and devastating violence between two religious communities, Muslims and Christians. The conflict occurred in 1999 to 2004 has resulted in enormous losses and casualties on both sides. Many efforts for reconciliation and peace building have been made. One of the peace-building efforts initiated by the communities is the “Guru Bacarita” (Teachers Meet) program. This program involves teachers from several schools. With a qualitative approach, this study finds out that the conflict has left a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Here, “Guru Bacarita” has become a meeting room (bakudapa) for teachers from different religious backgrounds. In addition, it has also succeeded in building intimacy which has eventually created an awareness of mutual need, instead of mutual blame between different communities. In this program, the teachers are invited to visit houses of worship and learn about religious diversity in order to foster tolerance and inclusion. 

Presenters

Presenters

Individual Paper Presenters

Abdul Jamil Abdul Jamil - National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia.