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About the IDIU Network
The UNITWIN Network on Inter-religious Dialogue for Intercultural Understanding (IDIU) brings together more than 30 UNESCO Chairs across over 20 countries.
First established in 2006, the IDIU Network was established to promote and support dialogue between religions and spiritual and humanistic traditions, in a world where conflicts are often associated with religious belonging. It aims to share knowledge in order to challenge ignorance and prejudices and foster mutual respect.
The Network comprises academic and research centres recognised for their expertise in this field across the globe. It brings together professors, researchers and specialists, who are personally committed to the achievement of interreligious dialogue and intercultural understanding.
“UNESCO’s Network of Chairs on intercultural and interreligious dialogue has supported the publication of two ground-breaking research publications exploring the plural contributions of the UN system to peacebuilding and how to render interculturalism a practical policy instrument. The Network had also convened three Academic Fora on Intercultural Dialogue, serving as powerful platforms of exchange, cross-fertilisation of applied knowledge, and north-south-south cooperation.” (UNESCO, 2019)
About the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme
Launched in 1992, the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme promotes international inter-university cooperation and networking to enhance institutional capacities through knowledge sharing and collaborative work.
The Programme supports the establishment of UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Networks in key priority areas related to UNESCO’s fields of competence – i.e. in education, the natural and social sciences, culture and communication.
Through this network, higher education and research institutions all over the globe pool their resources, both human and material, to address pressing challenges and contribute to the development of their societies.