Biography Narrative

Director, University Malaya

Wendy Yee Mei Tien is a senior lecturer and currently, holds the position of Director for the Center for Internship Training and Academic enrichment at the University of Malaya. She received her PhD (2008) in youth studies from the University Putra Malaysia. She also obtained a certificate in International Relations and Human Rights

She studied at the United Nations University, Tokyo in 2006, and in 2014, obtained a certificate in peacebuilding and intercultural dialogue from the Institute for Peace and Dialogue in Switzerland. She has developed the first module in peace studies at her university making University of Malaya the only university that offers an undergraduate course on peace and humanity studies. She conducts research and speaks at interreligious forums at the national level. She has also participated in an international capacity building workshop on fostering global citizenship for sustainable communities in South East Asia organised by UNESCO and the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding. As a peace advocate, she is very passionate about educating the youth in achieving a peaceful and harmonious society through the programmes and activities she conducted inside and outside the classrooms.

Interreligious Activities and Initiatives

THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERFAITH DIALOGUE AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP FOR A PEACEFUL CO- EXISTENCE

Almost all young people from different religious or cultural background in Malaysia have no exposure to interfaith or intercultural dialogue. This is because there are no educational modules available to teach them about these very important topics. Many are unaware of the importance of these dialogue though living in a multi-religious and multi-cultural society. It is important for the youth to learn and understand the technique and skills of interfaith/intercultural dialogue to become future leaders and peace advocates in the society. For them to truly develop empathy and understanding in becoming an interfaith/intercultural interlocutor, these youth also require to be a global citizen. Hence, the novelty of this initiative includes combining the knowledge and skills of interfaith/intercultural dialogue and global citizenship into a module for the youth. Youth from different faith background were invited to participate in this initiative. Their task is to first learn about global citizenship from a module developed by the KAICIID fellow (me). Then the participants continue to explore the importance of global citizenship in helping to develop understanding, trust and friendship through dialogue. Finally, the youth formed small working groups to create teambuilding games and initiatives based on the global citizenship concepts and framework to promote interfaith and intercultural dialogues.