E/CN.4/2003/66 page 21 112. At a strategy development seminar held in Oslo from 8 to 10 December 2002 and organized by the Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief, participants considered ways of setting up an international interdisciplinary network to facilitate the implementation of the aims and follow-up of the recommendations of the Madrid Conference. To that end, the seminar brought together experts in the areas of human rights, interreligious dialogue and ethical and religious education who looked at various national models of religious education. The Seminar was also part of the preparation for the international and interdisciplinary conference of experts which is to be held in late 2003 or early 2004 and will aim at encouraging the development of models for religious and ethical education that increase knowledge and understanding between people with different beliefs. 113. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the initiatives taken by the Madrid Conference partners and extends particular thanks to NGOs for their work in organizing conferences, sending out books and other relevant documentation and sharing their expertise in education in relation to freedom of religion or belief. He also pays special tribute to the efforts of human rights institutes and, in particular, the Arab Institute of Human Rights, which organizes initiatives in education for tolerance and non-discrimination on the basis of religion or belief. 114. The Special Rapporteur will continue to take whatever initiative or action is necessary to shield schools throughout the world from intolerance and discrimination on the basis of religion or belief and from all forms of indoctrination into religious or pseudo-religious attitudes, so that schools can become conduits of knowledge, respect and tolerance for others in the interests of human rights and thus of international understanding and cooperation in the service of peace. C. Interreligious dialogue 115. In its resolution 2002/40, the Commission on Human Rights invites Governments, religious bodies and civil society to continue to undertake dialogue at all levels to promote greater tolerance, respect and understanding of freedom of religion and belief. 116. It has always been a concern of the Special Rapporteur to encourage interreligious dialogue and he has made specific recommendations in that regard during his in situ visits, both traditional missions and visits to the principal communities of religion or belief. The Special Rapporteur has also addressed the question of interreligious dialogue not only as part of his general reports, but also during the Madrid Conference. 117. Interfaith dialogue is a pillar of prevention in the area of religion and belief, for the area of religion has the potential to become an unparalleled forum in which individuals and groups can open up and come together. 118. It is self-evident that cultures and religions are different. There is no justification, however, for saying that, because they are different, they are not equal. And yet there have always been people who have tried to prove that their culture, their religion, their language or their history is superior to that of their neighbours. Is there anything that people have not done, throughout history, “in the name of God”, and that they are still doing today, nearly everywhere in the world?