Religious Dialogue Through SDGs Praxis

Pope Francis' visit to Indonesia opens up valuable opportunities for interfaith cooperation in implementing the SDGs.

KOMPAS/HERYUNANTO

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The visit of Pope Francis in early September 2024 is a strategic momentum to increase the role of religion in the practice of sustainable development. This is also a momentum to strengthen Indonesia's soft power on the global stage through leading by example.

As a religious leader who is recognized worldwide for his dedication, the Pope presents a deep message to listen to the cry of Mother Earth (listen to the cry of Mother Earth) and feel the humanity that is deeply wounded. This was realized through several initiatives, including the publication of the encyclicals Laudato Si' andFratelli Tutti, as well as the Economy of Francesco initiative which invited the world to initiate a new era of economics based on solidarity and social justice, emphasizing the importance of environmental transformation through ”ecological conversion”.

At the opening of the 2015 United Nations (UN) General Assembly, Pope Francis expressed his support for the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agreed upon by 193 countries. He stated that SDGs are a new hope for the world (an important sign of hope).

Also read: Call to Repentance Laudato Si

Whales also paved the way for the Abu Dhabi agreement with the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb, which emphasized the importance of interfaith peace and human friendship in line with SDGs Goals 16 and 17.

In an uncertain global dynamic, increasingly full of conflict, suspicion and even hatred, the arrival of Pope Francis is not only valuable for Catholics in Indonesia. The world's spotlightalso needs to be directed at this country, as one of the countries with the largest Muslim population and has so many ethnic and religious differences, but is united in the bonds of Pancasila and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. As well as, how differences can work together to implement the SDGs, including facing poverty, inequality and climate change.

In Indonesia, this effort can also be seen through a unique approach taken by religious institutions in examining the compatibility of their philosophy and teachings with the SDGs.

PRADIPTA PANDU

17 point sustainable development goals.

SDGs Jurisprudence

The commitment of Muslim communities in Indonesia towards sustainable development is bringing about a breakthrough in the world, with the implementation of SDG Islamic law. The law was formulated by the Board of Directors of Nahdlatul Ulama in collaboration with the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas. In the book of Islamic law, the General Chairman of PB NU, KH Yahya Cholil Tsaquf, conveys Islamic perspectives that also form the core of SDGs, which are about intergenerational sustainability and justice.

It is explained that the concept of benefit that Islam wants to realize is not only for humans, but for all creatures (mashalih al-ibad). The benefits that must be considered are not only "current benefits" (maslahah dunyawiyyah), but also "future benefits" (maslahah ukhrawiyah).

Furthermore, zakat fikih for SDGs has also been compiled by Baznas, the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, UIN Syarif Hidayatulah, and Filantropi Indonesia. The fikih book explains that a person's complete Islam can only be achieved after they donate some of their wealth, either as a mandatory act of worship (zakat) or as social charity. It also delves deeply into how zakat can be managed for the implementation of the 17 SDG goals.

Indonesia's generosity is very high, and the potential of zakat is massive, reaching Rp 327 trillion per year. This does not yet take into account the Rp 180 trillion in waqf per year. This means that the potential for Islamic-based philanthropy is more than Rp 500 trillion per year, not to mention contributions from other religions such as tithes, collections, punia funds, and charity funds. It is not surprising that Indonesia has been the most generous country in the world for five consecutive years according to the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF).

The commitment of Muslims in Indonesia to sustainable development has brought a world breakthrough, with the SDGs fiqh.

Tri Hita Karana

In the cosmological viewpoint of Hindu society in Bali, Tri Hita Karana is a philosophy of life that serves as a principle for the creation of happiness. This principle is a harmonious relationship between humans and their fellow humans, humans and the environment, and humans and God (the spiritual dimension). The holistic and multidimensional view of Tri Hita Karana greatly contributes to the interpretation of SDGs.

Out of the 17 SDGs, they are arranged according to the "Three Happinesses" which reflect the Tri Hita Karana principle. This includes harmony between humans (SDGs 1 to 10), which emphasizes justice and social well-being; ecological sustainability (SDGs 11 to 15), which focuses on the preservation and protection of the environment; and spiritual harmony (SDGs 16 and 17), which promotes peace and partnership.

This structure forms what is called the SDGs Happiness Pyramid. The Tri Hita Karana philosophy opens horizons of thought, achieving the SDGs needs to be interpreted as a holistic understanding of balance and harmony that is rooted in every aspect of life.

In its journey, the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana has resonated globally with increasingly complex dimensions that inspire the Tri Hita Karana Roadmap for Blended Finance. This platform is supported by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), several countries, and international financial institutions as a guide for the roadmap of financing for SDGs.

This is what helped support Indonesia's modality in producing a blended finance communiqué in the G20 Development Working Group, as well as the establishment of the Global Blended Finance Alliance at the G20 meeting in Bali.

KOMPAS/KARINA ISNA IRAWAN

Panel discussion in order to introduce the government's newest program called SDGs Indonesia One at the 2018 IMF-World Bank annual meeting in Bali, Thursday (11/10/2018). The financing program with the blended finance scheme is managed by PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur.

Religious dialogue through praxis

From the description above, the religions in Indonesia have philosophies that align with the SDGs. Operationally, based on the author's experience facilitating the implementation and mapping of SDGs, religious institutions such as Muhammadiyah, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI), the Fellowship of Churches in Indonesia (PGI), Walubi, Permabudhi, and the Indonesian Hindu Dharma Society (PHDI), focus mainly on health and education (SDGs 3 and 4).

Bigger organizations with wider networks and greater resources tend to target more diverse SDG goals. However, despite having relatively similar goals and inclusivity being one of the SDG principles, cooperation among religious institutions in implementing SDGs is still limited. Significant collaboration is usually only incidental and occurs during disasters.

In this context, the arrival of Pope Francis in Indonesia opens up valuable opportunities to strengthen strategic interfaith cooperation in practice and accelerate the achievement of SDGs in Indonesia. This is important not only for this country but also serves as a source of inspiration and a model for the world, which is currently facing great challenges of humanity, conflict, and environment.

Also read: Religion and Global Peace

Apart from that, as the initiator of the formation of Religion 20 (R20) in the G20 Presidency two years ago, Indonesia succeeded in gathering religious leaders from various parts of the world to dialogue about the role of religion in facing global challenges. This success demands moral responsibility and proof that Indonesia has walk the talk by making it happen in real work within the country. This step is very important to maintain and strengthen Indonesia's credibility on the international stage.

Therefore, by utilizing the R20 platform and the presence of Pope Francis, Indonesia is in a unique position to demonstrate global leadership that is not only inspirational but also has a real impact. This will not only strengthen Indonesia's position as a global leader in achieving the SDGs but also reaffirm the importance of religious values in shaping a brighter future for humanity and the planet Earth.

Setyo Budiantoro, Economic Development Pillar Manager, SDGs National Secretariat Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas

MIS FRANSISKA DEWI

Setyo Budiantoro