Kuala Lumpur, 20 December 2025 – The Initiative to Promote Tolerance and Prevent Violence (INITIATE.MY) convened the Peace Lab for Malaysian Leaders and Thinkers: Report-Back Session and Group Year-End Dinner in Kuala Lumpur. The full-day in-person gathering brought together Peace Lab 2025 participants for reflection, integration, and meaningful reconnection at the close of the programme year.
The morning session focused on report-back presentations, where participants shared updates on their respective project designs and implementation journeys. They reflected candidly on challenges encountered, breakthroughs achieved, and strategic adjustments made along the way. The sharing emphasised documentation, clarity of objectives, and the importance of carrying forward lessons learned into future initiatives.
A key highlight of the afternoon was the panel discussion titled “Protecting Religious Freedom in the Midst of Global Crisis.” The session explored the intersections between religious freedom, social polarisation, and global instability. Speakers unpacked how local advocacy efforts must remain grounded in tolerance, human rights principles, and contextual awareness amidst shifting political and security landscapes.
The programme also included an integrated input session linking the five core Peace Lab themes—Religious Freedom & Tolerance, Radicalisation Processes, Peaceful Conflict Resolution, Advocacy Tools, and Advocacy Skills. Participants examined how these themes intersect in real-world community settings, strengthening their ability to approach peacebuilding with a holistic and systems-oriented lens.
Throughout the day, structured networking and collaborative group discussions created space for participants to explore how they could continue supporting one another beyond the programme cycle. Conversations centred on sustaining momentum, sharing resources, and building cross-sector partnerships.
The gathering concluded with a group year-end dinner, where participants and organisers came together in a more relaxed setting to celebrate the year’s journey. It was an opportunity to enjoy one another’s company, exchange stories beyond formal sessions, and mark the close of 2025 with warmth and camaraderie before the holiday season.
