To mark USIP's Religion and Peacemaking program's ten-year anniversary, USIP hosted a  workshop to reflect on what the wider field of religious peacebuilding has achieved and how best to move forward over the next decade.

Read the event coverage, Experts Examine Religious Peacebuilding at USIP

Religion has been a source of conflict throughout human history, but religion can also be a tremendous force for peacebuilding.

For ten years, USIP’s Religion and Peacemaking program has helped lead an evolution of the field. There has been a demonstrated interest in engaging religious leaders in efforts to advance conflict management and peacebuilding. Religious peacebuilding is now integrated into U.S. government policies.

To mark the program's anniversary, USIP hosted a workshop to reflect on what the wider field of religious peacebuilding has achieved and how best to move forward over the next decade. On November 9, a panel of practitioners, policymakers and academics addressed the challenges and opportunities of religious peacebuilding and how outside actors, including the U.S. government, can support such opportunities.

Speakers:

  • Richard Solomon, Introductory comments
    U.S. Institute of Peace
  • Joshua Dubois
    White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
  • Suzan Johnson Cook
    Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom
  • Scott Appleby
    Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies
  • Rabbi Michael Melchior
    Mosaica Center for Inter-Religious Cooperation
  • Jackie Ogega
    Religions for Peace
  • Qamar-ul Huda
    U.S. Institute of Peace
  • Mohammed Abu-Nimer
    American University
  • David Smock, Moderator
    U.S. Institute of Peace

Related Academy Courses

Related Publications

Promoting Peace and Stability in the Americas through Religious Freedom

Promoting Peace and Stability in the Americas through Religious Freedom

Thursday, March 28, 2024

By: Knox Thames

The Western Hemisphere is generally known for protecting freedom of religion or belief. With a few notable exceptions, the countries of the region all enshrine religious freedom at the constitutional level and protect it through laws and policies. But in recent years, authoritarian governments in South America have increasingly viewed religious actors as threats to their regime’s survival and tried to control or crush independent religious activity.

Type: Analysis

Religion

War and the Church in Ukraine

War and the Church in Ukraine

Thursday, March 14, 2024

By: Peter Mandaville, Ph.D.

Vladimir Putin’s war to reverse Ukraine’s independence includes religion. For centuries, the Russian Orthodox Church bolstered Moscow’s rule by wielding ecclesiastical authority over Ukrainian churches. Since early 2019, Ukraine has had a self-governing Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Russia’s invasion has sharpened tensions between it and the rival branch historically linked to Moscow. Any conciliation between them could shrink areas for conflict — and the Kremlin’s ability to stir chaos — in a postwar Ukraine. It would bolster Ukraine’s future stability and reinforce a decline in Russia’s historically massive influence across the Orthodox Christian world. But can Ukrainians make that happen?

Type: Analysis

Religion

USIP Explains: How Religious Freedom Promotes Peace and Security

USIP Explains: How Religious Freedom Promotes Peace and Security

Monday, January 29, 2024

By: Knox Thames

In almost every society, religious belief can guide the actions of people in both positive and negative ways. For peacebuilders, it’s important to understand the religious landscape in communities affected by conflicts and violence. USIP’s Knox Thames discusses how promoting openness to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief can help de-escalate violence and lead to better stability and security.

Type: Blog

Conflict Analysis & PreventionReligion

View All Publications