Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner: “In the armed forces, religious diversity is viewed as an essential value”
Vienna (OTS) – On Wednesday, April 17, 2024, a panel discussion with 70 military service members of various religious affiliations took place in cooperation with the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF). As part of the event in the Military History Museum, religious diversity, social challenges and opportunities were discussed. The discussion was the first event in cooperation between the Federal Army and the Austrian Integration Fund.
Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner: “In the armed forces, religious diversity is viewed as an essential value. Particularly in the military profession, it is important to have someone to contact for concerns and religious concerns. I am pleased that today’s panel discussion will give members of different religions the opportunity to exchange ideas about religion, diversity and social challenges.”
After the opening, a panel discussion entitled “Dialogue platform for military servants” took place. The discussion was intended to encourage military service members of different religious affiliations to exchange ideas. The strengths and opportunities of social challenges were discussed with representatives of the Israeli and Islamic religious communities as well as representatives of the BMLV and the ÖIF. Other topics of the panel discussion included promoting diversity, shared values and intercultural cooperation. The goal was to create a space for open dialogue.
Mirela Memic, Head of Values and Orientation at the ÖIF: “Social cohesion requires shared values and an examination of religious diversity. Mutual understanding is promoted through open exchange, which in turn is a basic requirement for good coexistence and successful integration.”
The Federal Army has Catholic, Protestant, Islamic, Jewish, Orthodox and Alevi military chaplaincy. The military chaplaincy takes care of the concerns and worries of soldiers in the barracks, on deployment or abroad. In Vienna, six religions are currently represented with their own military chaplaincies.
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