Lahore. February 25, 2013. (PCP) Interfaith Youth in Action (IYA) first annual launched Diversity Talk Series 2013 program to address the pressing Pakistani issues involving religion and intercultural conflict. The series will include four panel discussions in 2013 such as, “The Scope of Interfaith Dialogue in Pakistan,” “The Role of Religion in Modern Society,” and “The Spirit of Ecumenism among different Churches in Pakistan.” The series will conclude with an Interfaith Youth Conference 2013 to evaluate all these discussions and offer the chance for panelists and participants to discuss and share their learning with larger audience. Objectives of Diversity Talk Series 2013: To provide the opportunity for 250 young people in one year to participate and sharing faith experiences; to get information, exchange views, and learn new facts from religious scholars and community leaders To listen and to learn from the way people who follow a particular faith explain or express their own religion or faith. To heal the wounds of division and discrimination. To grow in own faith by being exposed to another faith in a safe and respectful environment. To tap the strength and energy of Pakistani youth, which consists of the strong faith experience. To develop a correct and balanced attitude to people from other faith traditions in Pakistan. To build new relationships between members of different faiths. During 1st panel discussion on Feb 22, 2013, more than 88 people particular youngsters from all ways of lives participated and spend three hour in deep discussion with 10 national and international religious scholars on the theme of “The Scope of Interfaith Dialogues in Pakistan”. Greater collaboration between moderates in Christian and Muslim communities is key to curbing sectarian strife and resisting a climate of intolerance fueled by politically motivated religious laws, according to members of a local interfaith group. “I stopped attending such seminars years ago. I just got fed up after realizing that speaking in halls and enjoying buffets together makes no difference”, said Reverend Majid Abel of the Naulakha Presbyterian Church. IYA director Shahid Rehmat, said interfaith initiatives still serve a purpose, particularly for the Christian minority. “Mostly it is about friendship and building relationships to save those who are persecuted for their faith,” he said. However he did concede that such efforts have had only limited practical success so far.