DENPASAR – The series of events comprising Bali Harmony Encounter Week 2026 culminated with the Tri Hita Karana Universal Reflection Ceremony 2026, held at Sunset Mandala, Sira Village, within the Kura Kura Bali Special Economic Zone (SEZ) on the evening of Monday, September 7, 2026.
Held under the theme Holding Space for Peace: Peace Within, Peace Among Us, Peace with All Life, the gathering brought together delegates from more than 70 countries, representing government, technology, academia, civil society, and local communities.
The forum provided a space for reflection on the meaning of peace amid the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), global change, and sustainability challenges.
Bali Harmony Dialogue Addresses the Global AI Gap
Bali Harmony Encounter Week 2026 began with the Bali Harmony Dialogue on September 3, 2026, at United In Diversity (UID) Bali Campus.
The dialogue brought together representatives from three sectors to discuss the global AI divide.
Indonesia’s Vice Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Stella Christie, delivered a public lecture titled Intelligence: Natural and Artificial, highlighting the importance of developing countries playing an active role in AI research and governance.
From September 4–6, 2026, the World Encounter Summit Bali: XI International Scholas Chairs Congress brought together delegates representing more than 140 universities across 70 countries.
Under the theme Artificial Intelligence and Human Meaning, the forum explored the relationship between technological advancement and human values, including the role of younger generations and local wisdom in shaping technology ethics.
Tri Hita Karana Reflection and Interfaith Prayer
At the culminating event, a reflection on Tri Hita Karana was combined with interfaith prayers and traditional Balinese cultural performances.
The Bumi Bajra dance group presented several performances, including a Barong performance from Puri Ubud, before Tjokorda Gde Putra Sukawati, members of the royal family, and traditional community leaders.
Also in attendance were Chairman of the National Economic Council Luhut B. Pandjaitan, Vice Chair of the National Economic Council Mari Elka Pangestu, Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid, and Secretary of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, Rev. Msgr. Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage.
The message of peace was further expressed through the raising of the SDG 16 Peace Flag and the symbol of the Dove of Peace, accompanied by a narrative inspired by Sutasoma.
Participants attending in person and those joining online from various countries were then invited to light candles while listening to Lilin-Lilin Kecil, a song by the late James F. Sundah.
The moment symbolized hope and unity amid diversity.
Tri Hita Karana as a Foundation for Peace
UID Foundation Vice President Suyoto said that the values of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika and the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana can provide a foundation for addressing conflict, ecological challenges, and social polarization.
“Peace is not merely an end goal achieved through theory, but a relationship that we must actively nurture every day,” Suyoto said.
Prof. Dr. M. Arskal Salim, GP., M.Ag., Secretary of the Directorate General of Islamic Education at Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, representing Minister of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. K.H. Nazaruddin Umar, M.A., called on communities, particularly younger generations, to begin nurturing peace within their immediate surroundings.
“Great transformation does not come from one enormous light, but from the small candles that we carry together,” he said.
He emphasized that peace within oneself, peace among people, and peace with all forms of life must be translated into concrete action.
Tri Hita Karana Meets the Culture of Encounter
During the ceremony, Tri Hita Karana was interpreted through its three principles: harmony between humanity and the divine (Parahyangan), harmonious relationships among people (Pawongan), and harmony between humanity and nature (Palemahan).
These principles were brought together with the concept of the culture of encounter promoted by Scholas Occurrentes, an international educational organization founded by Pope Francis in 2013 to foster peace, integration, and youth empowerment through art, sports, and technology.
Through the Tri Hita Karana Universal Reflection Ceremony 2026, Bali once again became a meeting point between local wisdom and global perspectives, encouraging dialogue on peace, humanity, technology, and sustainability.
Source: NusaBali.com
