In this episode of the ResponsAbility Podcast, we speak with Professor Ambrogio Bongiovanni—director of the Center for Interreligious Studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University—about the transformative role of dialogue in education, peace-building, and global responsibility. Drawing from decades of work across religious, academic, and international institutions, Bongiovanni explores what it means to cultivate a pedagogy of dialogue that embraces difference without losing depth. From grassroots encounters in India to teaching future educators and theologians, he shares insights on nonviolence, spiritual formation, and the ethical challenges of our time. In summary, this conversation examines how dialogue in education can foster connection, reflection, and responsibility in an increasingly divided world.

00:01:00 – Background and path into interreligious work

00:04:16 – Pedagogy of dialogue in multi-religious education

00:08:19 – Dialogical training for peace and nonviolence

00:12:12 – Challenges in promoting interreligious dialogue

00:16:00 – Institutional influence on global dialogue and responsibility

00:19:44 – Ethics and moral development in education

00:22:52 – Spirituality and Bildung in education

Between Theory and Practice – Questions for Reflection

How might the insights from this dialogue inspire your own practice? The following questions are intended to inspire further inquiry, whether explored individually or in conversation with colleagues, students, or peers.

1. Ambrogio Bongiovanni suggests that dialogue is not merely a communication tool but a way of being in relation to others. In your own professional and personal life, how do you respond to difference, and what might it mean to become more genuinely dialogical in your encounters with people whose beliefs, values, or experiences differ from your own?
2. If education is not primarily about producing outcomes but about fostering human growth, peace, and mutual understanding, how might you contribute—within your own sphere of influence—to creating spaces where people can engage differences constructively and learn to live together responsibly?

Literature: 

• Bongiovanni, A. & Edwin, V. (Eds.) (2021): A Call to Dialogue. Christians in Dialogue with Muslims. Rome: Aracne.