A/HRC/37/44 municipality of Fundão gathered together 17 young people (11 boys and 6 girls) representing seven different religious communities with the objective of recognizing and valuing difference and pluralism and to jointly reflect about their individual contributions towards a better society. The young people drew up a charter on interreligious dialogue targeted at their peers. A second gathering, MEET IR 2017, took place in Palmela in July 2017.14 In 2017, the Commission, in partnership with the Working Group for Interreligious Dialogue, organized the initiative #FaithinPeace, 15 using social media to publish testimonies of young people from different religious communities on the contributions of religion to peace. 43. The Russian Federation reported that authorities make efforts to combat stigmatization leading to racial discrimination and promote mutual understanding, tolerance and friendship between ethnic and religious groups. Education plays an important role in this process. In order to preserve religious and cultural traditions, to strengthen national unity and to promote a spirit of patriotism among the youth, a comprehensive course on history, world religions, and secular moral and spiritual education was included in the school curriculum. Representatives of religious organizations are invited to participate in training teachers with regard to their pedagogical approach in this sphere. 44. In these reporting States, religious intolerance, stigmatization, negative stereotyping and discrimination are combated using educational measures, youth forums, strategic plans and public information and media campaigns, including online platforms. Educational programmes and curricula which inculcate freedom of religion and belief and educational systems which provide education for religious minorities could assist in implementing the action plan. States are encouraged to consider human rights-based educational reform which provides for inclusion and recognition of all constituent parts of a society. J. Recognizing that the open, constructive and respectful debate of ideas and interfaith and intercultural dialogue at the local, national and international levels can play a positive role in combating religious hatred, incitement and violence16 45. Interfaith and intercultural dialogue and exchange — local, national and international — are taking place in several countries. Ongoing and established dialogues among various faith communities serve as forums for communication, discussion, networking, exchange and learning and provide for the open debate of ideas. 46. The Australian Multicultural Council provides advice to the Government on issues around the country’s cultural, linguistic and religious diversity, including addressing barriers to participation and promoting greater intercultural and interfaith understanding and dialogue. The Department of Immigration and Border Protection facilitates round-table meetings and town hall-style meetings to promote open, constructive and respectful debate of ideas, as well as interfaith and intercultural dialogue at the local and national levels. 47. In Italy, the soon-to-be-established European Academy of Religion, promoted by the University of Bologna and the John XXIII Foundation for Religious Studies, under the patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and with the support of the European Parliament, is aimed at fostering interdisciplinary studies and dialogue between researchers of all faiths and cultures to orient European policies in European Union non-member countries. 48. Qatar reported that the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue has annually hosted the Doha Conference for Interfaith Dialogue for the last 12 years under the patronage of the Emir of Qatar and supported by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The most recent conference took place on 16 and17 February 2016, on the topic “Spiritual and intellectual security in the light of religious doctrine”. In 2017, the Center continued to 14 15 16 See www.acm.gov.pt/acm. Ibid. Paragraph 7 (h) of resolution 34/32. 9