UIN Jakarta Hosts Public Lecture on Diplomacy and Religion: Insights from France's Laïcité Experience
Diorama Room, UIN News Online – UIN Jakarta held a Public Lecture on Diplomacy and Religion, Wednesday, (23/10/2024), at the Diorama Room, Campus I of UIN Jakarta. The event featured H.E. Jean-Christophe Peaucelle, Advisor for Religious Affairs at the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, as the keynote speaker. The lecture was moderated by the Dean of the Faculty of Ushuluddin, Prof. Drs. Ismatu Ropi, M.A, Ph.D, and attended by Rector of UIN Jakarta, Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D, along with Vice Rector for Cooperation and Institutional Affairs, Din Wahid, M.A., Ph.D.
In his welcoming remarks, Rector Asep Jahar expressed his gratitude to Peaucelle for sharing his expertise with the UIN Jakarta academic community. He also encouraged attendees to make the most of the lecture, highlighting the importance of understanding the intersection of diplomacy and religion in a global context.
“We are honored to have Jean-Christophe Peaucelle with us today to share his valuable insights on the relationship between diplomacy and religion. This lecture offers a unique opportunity for our students and faculty to broaden their understanding of global religious dynamics. I hope that all participants can actively engage and take away meaningful lessons from this important discussion,” said Rector.
Jean-Christophe Peaucelle’s lecture focused on France’s unique approach to the relationship between the state and religion, known as laïcité. Peaucelle explained that laïcité is often misunderstood as secularism, which is the common English translation. However, laïcité is distinct from secularization, as the former is a legal framework that applies to the state, while the latter is a sociological process that applies to society.
"France has a long history as a Catholic country, where the church was deeply intertwined with the monarchy. At the same time, it is also the birthplace of enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire and Jean-Jacques Rousseau," said Peaucelle. He also noted that tensions between these two aspects of French identity came to a head during the French Revolution, which sought to dismantle the monarchy and, by extension, the church's influence over the state.
Peaucelle further explained that in 1905, France’s parliament passed the Law on the Separation of Church and State, effectively resolving the ideological divide between religious and secular forces. This law, which serves as a "peace treaty," is based on three key principles: liberté (freedom), égalité (equality), and fraternité (fraternity).
"The first principle, liberté, ensures freedom of belief or non-belief, and the government guarantees this right. People are free to practice their religion or choose not to believe at all," he said.
The second principle, égalité, means that all citizens are equal before the law, regardless of their religious affiliation. This requires the state to maintain strict religious neutrality, ensuring that it remains separate from religion to treat all citizens fairly.
The third principle, fraternité, promotes brotherhood among citizens, regardless of their religious views, allowing them to work together within the common framework of the nation.
"Laïcité is not against religion nor is it for religion. It is for freedom," he added.
Peaucelle also emphasized the active role religion plays in global diplomacy. He explained that religious diplomacy refers to the engagement of religious institutions, values, and actors in fostering international relations, promoting peace, and addressing global challenges. Rather than being isolated from state matters, religion can contribute to diplomatic dialogue by offering ethical perspectives and bridging cultural differences.
Peaucelle highlighted that in today’s interconnected world, religion has become an integral part of diplomatic efforts, especially when dealing with conflicts, peacebuilding, and fostering understanding between different cultures. Religious diplomacy is not about promoting one faith over another, but about recognizing the influence of religious beliefs in shaping societies and international affairs. It aims to promote mutual respect, cooperation, and shared values across nations.
He also noted that laïcité, or secularism as practiced in France, supports this approach by ensuring freedom of religion while maintaining the state’s neutrality, thus allowing religious dialogue to thrive in a way that respects the diversity of beliefs.
“This model, enables countries like France to engage in religious diplomacy without compromising their commitment to religious freedom and equality,” said Peaucelle
The event concluded with a lively Q&A session, where students from various faculties at UIN Jakarta engaged directly with the keynote speaker.