Biography Narrative

Zon Vanel is a lecturer at the Public Relations Program of the Information Technology Department at Satya Wacana Christian University in Central Java, Indonesia. She holds a master’s degree in mass communication studies and is actively involved in research at the university and community services in her hometown of Solo in Indonesia.

In her hometown, Zon is engaged with the Peace and Multicultural Foundation as a facilitator in conflict transformation. In addition, she is also teaching journalism at Syailendra Buddhist College in Central Java, Indonesia. Her focus is on interreligious dialogue and conflict transformation. Vanel is also one of the founders of an elementary children’s interreligious dialogue community program called Sobat Anak Solo (SAS).

She has participated in several national and international workshops on interreligious dialogue and human rights. Her latest project is a computer-based information system program to prevent conflicts and mapping conflict areas in her hometown. Her motto is “unity in diversity.”

Interreligious Activities and Initiatives

Conflict Transformation for Regional Peace Movement

This is a new project in which 4 fellows in 3 different countries created a peace training program, followed by a peace walk and a peace charter that each of the participant will adhere to. Since we were alumna of KAICIID Fellowship, we wanted to create a regional peace network as a pilot project of other regional peace projects. We have goal that we can hold this project yearly to maintain and strengthen regional peace network. We realize that we can’t make peace happen by doing it with our own. We need to work and collaborate with another to make this world a better place to live.