20. October 2025
2025 STATE CONGRESS OF COUNCILS OF RELIGIONS IN OFFENBURG
On October 5 and 6, 2025, around 30 committed individuals from twelve cities met in Offenburg for the State Congress of Councils of Religions in Baden-Württemberg. Two days full of encounters and discussions offered insights into interfaith cooperation, networking, and creative projects. Highlights included intensive exchange rounds and an exciting fishbowl discussion on interfaith dialogue after October 7, 2023.
HOST OFFENBURG AND INTERFAITH DIALOGUE ON SITE
The city of Offenburg and the Offenburg Interreligious Dialogue Working Group (AKIDO) hosted this year’s state congress. The close cooperation between the municipality and religious actors particularly impressed the participants. Delegates from various locations such as Kehl, Heilbronn, and Böblingen took the opportunity to exchange ideas about establishing their own councils and dialogue formats.
Around 30 participants from twelve cities, including full-time and volunteer staff, took part. The religious communities represented ranged from Alevi, Bahai, Buddhist, Hindu, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim to non-religious.
INTERACTIVE FORMATS: GUIDED TOUR AND ACTIONBOUND
For the first time, the state congress was organized over two days, providing space for thematically stimulating program items:
Guided tour of the Salmen: The historic building serves as a place of remembrance and a memorial. The tour focused on change, transformation, and the challenge for religious communities to adapt in changing times.
Actionbound “Path of Religions Offenburg”: In this scavenger hunt, participants explored ten religious sites in Offenburg and learned firsthand about the traditions and special features of the religious communities. The aim was to consciously experience the religious landscape of the host city and gain inspiration for their own networking activities.
FOCUS ON DIALOGUE, CONFLICTS, AND PEACE WORK
The commitment and offerings of the Councils of Religions in Baden-Württemberg were presented at the speed meeting and the market of opportunities. Ideas were shared and contacts made. Work processes, representativeness, structures, key topics of interreligious work, and visibility in urban society were discussed.
A highlight was the keynote speech by Pastor Rudi Popp, head of the interfaith group “Le Pont” (Strasbourg), on the topic of “Interfaith Dialogue in France before and after October 7”. He advocated decolonizing dialogue: talking with each other instead of about each other. He highlighted the recognition of non-Christian religions in France, especially after the 1980s, and reflected on the reactions to October 7, 2023, and the tensions it triggered.
In the subsequent fishbowl discussion on the keynote speech with Rudi Popp, Elif Avcik (Rheinfelden), and Güllü Erdem (AKIDO Offenburg), challenges became clear: speechlessness, the risk of blame, and the difficulty of addressing conflicts sensitively.
The following principles for solutions were discussed:
- Joint reflection on the free democratic basic order
- Allowing vulnerability and emotions, communicating concerns
- Critical self-reflection and willingness to learn
- Strengthening mediation and communication skills
- Further training on transnational conflicts and peace research
According to participants, three roles are central to the sustainable work of the councils: drivers with patience and perseverance, mediators with consulting experience, and inclusors who ensure diversity. Young voices must not be ignored in this process.
The state congress strengthened participants in their commitment: they experienced appreciation, exchange, and motivation for future projects. Projects, formats, and knowledge were made visible, and networks were intensified. Special attention is already being paid to the 2026 Federal Congress of Councils of Religions in Stuttgart.
