The fourth edition of Sadbhav Sammelan 2026, an international interfaith conference, concluded on February 7 at Pilar Pilgrim Centre in Pilar, Goa, with speakers underscoring the need for sustained dialogue across religious and social divides.
Held under the theme “Together for Peace: Faiths in Action,” the two-day event brought together students, teachers, researchers and faith leaders to examine the role of religion in public life and conflict resolution.
The conference opened on February 6 with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Dr. Narayan B. Desai, an educationist and researcher from Goa. Also present were Fr. Nazareth Fernandes SFX, Superior General of the Society of Pilar; Rev. Dr. Frederico Rodrigues, Principal of Fr. Agnel College, Pilar; and Dr. Russell D’Souza, Principal of Nirmala Institute of Education, Panaji.
In his keynote address, Dr. Desai called for what he described as “a lived faith rooted in compassion, dialogue, and ethical action.” He said engagement with people of different beliefs is essential to social harmony and cautioned against religious exclusivism.
Fr. Lawrence Fernandes SFX, Director of Pilar Pilgrim Centre, referred to Vinoba Bhave’s observation that while knowledge has expanded, empathy has not kept pace. He said platforms such as the Sammelan attempt to bridge that gap through structured conversations.
One of the key discussions was led by Prof. Kishu Daswani on “Balancing Religious Morality with Constitutional Morality.” He pointed to the Indian Constitution’s framework that guarantees religious freedom while placing limits in the interest of public order and social welfare, prompting discussion among participants on how these principles operate in practice.
Workshops led by interfaith practitioners, including Ms. Urmi Chanda, focused on dialogue-based approaches to conflict resolution. Speakers emphasised self-reflection and listening as prerequisites for meaningful engagement.
Research papers presented during the conference addressed themes such as environmental responsibility rooted in faith traditions, the use of theatre in reconciliation processes, and the portrayal of religious conflict in literature. Sessions were followed by open-floor discussions, with participants raising questions on the challenges of applying theory in community settings.
A panel on developing young leaders for a non-violent future examined the social responsibilities of youth in polarised environments. Participants discussed practical steps ranging from campus-level initiatives to community outreach.
During the valedictory session, Fr. Bento Rodrigues observed that spirituality can serve as common ground across religions. Dr. Russell D’Souza said peace requires collective responsibility and cannot be pursued in isolation.
Several participants said the value of the conference lay in sustained engagement rather than one-off discussions. Sankalp Naik noted that repeated dialogue helps build trust, while Sahil Awasthi, a student of Fr. Agnel College, Pilar, said many contemporary conflicts stem from miscommunication rather than doctrinal differences.
Sadbhav Sammelan is an initiative of the Society of Pilar and was jointly organised by Pilar Pilgrim Centre, Fr. Agnel College of Arts and Commerce, Pilar, and Nirmala Institute of Education, in collaboration with academic and interfaith bodies in Goa.
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