[News] The Cities of Dialogue Index: A New Map for the Next 50 Years

As we prepare to return to Singapore this November to mark the 50th Anniversary of Religions for Peace Asia (ACRP), we are proud to introduce a transformative tool for the next half-century of our mission: The Cities of Dialogue Index (CDI).

Developed in partnership with the global creative change firm Consulus, the CDI is more than a ranking—it is a strategic map designed to measure the “social cushion” of our cities. It transitions our work from the passion and experience of our founders into a data-driven framework for regional peace and economic resilience.

Why a “Cities of Dialogue” Index?

For 50 years, ACRP has proven that faith communities working together can achieve what governments alone cannot. From the 1976 rescue of refugees in Singapore Bay to the Tokyo Peace Roundtables, our history is defined by action.

The CDI honors this legacy by evaluating cities on three critical pillars:

Dialogue Vitality: Measuring the actual trust and interaction between faith communities.
Governance for Cohesion: Ensuring religious leaders have a “seat at the table” in municipal decision-making.
Faith Fluency at Work: Promoting environments where individuals can bring their full ethical and spiritual identities to their professional lives.

A Vision for the Next 50 Years

As Rev. Dr. Yoshinori Shinohara, Secretary General of ACRP, notes: “Our predecessors acted on passion… but when we look toward the next fifty years, we need maps and compasses.” In a world facing unprecedented conflict and climate instability, the CDI serves as that compass. It makes “invisible trust” visible, proving that interfaith cohesion is the most fundamental economic and social infrastructure a city can possess.

Join the Movement

We invite all national chapters, municipal partners, and civic leaders to explore this new map. Submissions for the Year 1 Pilot are currently open through June 2026.

Together, let us restore global trust and build cities where dialogue is not just a concept, but a lived reality.

Read the Full Article on Consulus →