Religion and Peacemaking: Reflections on Current Challenges and Future Prospects

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
  

Explore Further

• Listen to the event audio

Related Academy Courses

• Overseas Religious Engagement
• Engaging with Identity-Based Differences
• Building Bridges through Intergroup Dialogue