Exploring Interfaith Futures: insights from Cambridge Divinity students

In this episode of the Interfaith Futures conversation series, three undergraduate students from the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge—Tassy, Alice, and Tom—discuss their experiences attending the national launch event for Inter Faith Week in London.

Speaking with CIP Programme Manager Dr Iona Hine, they share their initial awareness of Inter Faith Week, the key takeaways from the event, and how interfaith dialogue intersects with their studies and future aspirations.

The conversation highlights the importance of interfaith engagement in academia, community building, and policy-making, and underscores the potential for young people to shape interfaith futures--from thinktanks to religious education.

00:00 Introduction to Interfaith Futures

00:16 Background and recent developments in interfaith initiatives

01:06 Meet the students: Tassy, Alice, and Tom

01:26 Student reflections on Inter Faith Week

04:11 Highlights from the Inter Faith Week launch event

09:12 Personal takeaways and future aspirations

14:38 Conclusion and final thoughts

Arbah, a PhD Theology student at the University of Cambridge, interviews Jeeves Rohilla, CEO of the National Multifaith Youth Centre and now also studying at Cambridge, about interfaith futures and the role of young people in shaping them. The discussion covers the importance of co-creating programmes with young people, the intersection of interfaith and social justice, and challenges faced by young people in fostering interfaith dialogue. Jeeves shares insights from his experiences and emphasizes the need for inclusive and dynamic interfaith initiatives, particularly in engaging with youth, social media, climate change, and AI. The conversation also touches on gender-based violence and how interfaith collaboration can contribute to creating safer spaces for all genders. The interview opens with a reflection on Reverend Claudette Douglas’s legacy as a multifaith education chaplain and underscores the importance of long-term strategic planning.

0:20 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:55 Tribute to Reverend Claudette Douglas

01:40 Interfaith Futures and Youth Involvement

05:44 Challenges in Interfaith Dialogue

08:53 Building Effective Interfaith Partnerships

09:45 Future of Interfaith Work and Social Justice

11:40 Interfaith Collaboration in Tackling Gender-Based Violence

15:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Resources mentioned

• Faiths Forum for London
• The National Multifaith Youth Centre
• Research by Sophie Mitchell, Faith & Belief Forum

Susie Triffitt, a PhD student in Theology and Anthropology, introduces her friend the Reverend Nathanael Poole, who shares his experiences and insights on interfaith work in Bradford, a city so religiously diverse it matches Pew research projections for the world in 2050. Nathanael discusses interactions with Muslim and Hindu communities, highlighting the importance of honest dialogue and shared spaces, like Park Run, for fostering interfaith connection. Challenges such as self-censorship and community segregation are addressed, alongside his thoughts on religious education and sensitive storytelling in schools. Nathanael reflects on changing faith dynamics, the decline of aggressive atheism, and a renewed interest in spiritual and theistic faiths among young people. The conversation emphasizes the ongoing importance and potential of interfaith engagement for future community harmony.

00:00 Introduction to the Cambridge Interfaith Programme

00:50 Meet Reverend Nathanael Poole

02:20 Challenges in Interfaith Dialogue

04:59 Interfaith in Non-Religious Spaces

07:20 Policy and Education in Interfaith Contexts

12:30 Interfaith Experiences with Hindu and Sikh Communities

15:02 Reflections on Faith and Interfaith Futures

16:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts