Religion and Peacemaking Web Links

Below are links to resources primarily in English that provide substantive content on religion and peacemaking activities of various faiths, with a particular focus on specific topics: the work of Catholic groups, faith-based NGOs, Islamic perspectives on peace, and "just war" doctrine.

• Faith-Based Non-Governmental Organizations [1]
• Islamic Area Studies [2]
• Religious Peace Organizations [3]
• University-based Centers for the study of Religion and Conflict Resolution [4]
• Selected Biographies [5]
• Selected Documents [6]

These links complement the following Institute Special Reports:

1. Catholic Contributions to International Peace [7]
2. Faith-Based NGOs and International Peacebuilding [8]
3. Islamic Perspectives on Peace and Violence [9]
4. Would an Invasion of Iraq be a "Just" War"? [10]
5. Building Interreligious Trust in a Climate of Fear: An Abrahamic Trialogue [11]
6. Can Faith-Based NGOs Advance Interfaith Reconciliation? The Case of Bosnia and Herzegovina [12]

These web links also support the activities of the Institute's Religion and Peacemaking Initiative [13].

Faith-Based Non-Governmental Organizations

Building Peace through Development

• American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (AJJDC) [14]
  Web site provides a description of the mission of the organization, news and features, a section on a non-sectarian International Development Program (IDP) [15] with pages on programs for specific regions and links to related web sites.
• American Jewish World Service (AJWS) [16]
  Web site has an overview [17] of the AJWS, with texts that support Jewish involvement in non-sectarian humanitarian work. Projects [18] are organized by region and type (such as women's empowerment [19] and civil society [20]). Also includes a section on disaster response [21].
• Catholic Relief Services (CRS) [22]
  Affiliated with the National Council of Catholic Bishops, CRS has several programs and projects detailed on its web site, including peacebuilding [23], with links to specific categories of activities, such as work with peace and justice commissions [24], case studies of inter-religious dialogue [25] and emergency response and post-conflict reconstruction [26], among several others.

Conflict Prevention

• World Vision International Gateway [27]
  The web site of World Vision International contains a section on peacebuilding [28] which links to news, reports and resources for children's rights, global economy and HIV/AIDS issues.

Interfaith Dialogue and Reconciliation

• Tannenbaum Center for Inter-religious Understanding [29]
  Information on the Center's mission and work [30], programs [31] and resources [32], and a community engagement [33] section with a blog and forums.
• United Religions Initiative (URI) [34]
  The web site includes an introduction [35] to the URI, a quarterly newsletter, press releases, regional news and events [36], and several web pages on issues in peacebuilding [37].
• World Conference on Religion and Peace [38]
  The web site has detailed information on the organization's history [39], its mission [40] and worldwide affiliates [41], its peacebuilding initiatives [42], and other resources [43].

Mediation

• World Council of Churches [44]
  The web site, available in several languages including English [45], contains publications, periodicals and newsletters, photos, and library resources [46] in its news and resources section. The section on overcoming violence [47] has resources, projects and activities. The site also includes a site map and ecumenical links [48].

Peace Education in the U.S.

• American Friends Service Committee [49]
  Web site has an extensive listing of links to AFSC programs [50], articles and reports on peacebuilding [51], and conflict resolution [52], among numerous other issues [53]. Other resources [54] include books, publications, periodicals--including the full text of Peaceworks [55], a monthly journal published since 1972 by the New England Regional Office of the AFSC (issues from December 1998 are available online), and links [56] to related organizations.
• Seeds of Peace [57]
  Best known for their international camp [58] in Maine, the Seeds of Peace website provides an overview [59]; the web site includes events, specific programs and initiatives, speeches, news reports, and daily camp updates [60].

Training

• Plowshares Institute [61]
  The web site describes the Institute's mission, gives a program overview, lists publications and newsletters, contains sections on Community Conflict Transformation Training Program [62] and case teaching [63].
• International Center for Religion and Diplomacy [64]
  Website provdes an overview [65], descriptions of program initiatives [66], and research [67]. Also provides notes for political [68] and religious [69] leaders.

Islamic Area Studies

• Columbia University - Area Studies, Middle East Studies: Islam [70]
  Substantial links from Columbia University to all aspects of Islam, including prayer times and calendars, Islamic texts, dictionaries and encyclopedias, organizations, and Islamic law.
• Islamic Studies, Islam, Arabic, Religion [71]
  Comprehensive information and links compiled by Professor Godlas at the University of Georgia, including history, culture, images, Muslim women, and a glossary of Islamic terms.
• Islamic Studies Pathways [72]
  A listing of Islamic studies' resources on the Internet compiled by Dr. Bary R. Bunt, from the University of Wales in Lampeter including annotated links to Qur'an texts, multi-media sites, media sources, and political organizations.

Religious Peace Organizations

Baptist

• Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America [73]
  Web site includes information on news and events, on-going programs and sections on conflict transformation, restorative justice, a resource catalog of publications, and links [74] to related web sites.

Buddhist

• Buddhist Peace Fellowship [75]
  Web site includes an overview and history of the BPF, a description of programs and the quarterly journal, Turning Wheel: the Journal of Socially Engaged Buddhism [76].

Catholic

• Caritas Internationalis [77]
  The web site describes the mission, guiding values and principles, priorities and objectives of Caritas Internationalis as a confederation of organizations. The web site lists the member organizations and links to various documents. In English, French or Spanish.
• Community of Sant'Egidio [78]
  The web site for this "Church public lay association" is available in several languages [79], but not all information is available in each language. Sections of the site include service to peace [80], with articles in English, French, Italian and Spanish, specifically an article from The International Spectator in 1998 on The Community of Saint Egidio and its Peace-Making Activities [81].
• Development and Peace [82]
  Development and Peace is affiliated with the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops; its web site describes programs and projects listed by region, in Africa [83], Asia [84] and Latin America [85].
• Maryknoll Catholic Mission [86]
  The web site has a section on Global Concerns [87], with a link to the Office for Global Concerns [88], the current issue [89] of NewsNotes, a bi-monthly newsletter of information on international justice & peace issues, and a global links page [90] with links to related web sites.
• National Conference of Catholic Bishops/United States Catholic Conference (NCCB/USCC), Department of Social Development and World Peace [91]
  The web site has sections on international issues [92] with categories by region and topic, a list of special projects [93], education for justice [92] issues, and selected publications [94], among others.
• Pax Christi International [95]
  The web site of the "international Catholic peace movement" has extensive information on news and events, topical and regional programs [96], an archive [97] of articles, reports and documentation sets, and links to related web sites. The members [98] web page links to information about national sections of Pax Christi, including Pax Christi USA [99] and other affiliated groups. A newsletter and other publications are available through e-mail subscription [100].
• Pontifical Council of Justice and Peace [101]
  Established as a council of the Roman Curia (the administrative organization of the Holy See) in 1967, its web site includes a profile [102] of the council and documents concerning trade, development and poverty [103] and land distribution [104].

Church of the Brethren

• On Earth Peace Assembly [105]
  Web site of a "non-profit organization grounded in the Church of the Brethren" with information on the vision and mission of the organization, current news, a OEPA newsletter and descriptions of programs, such as a Peace Academy and Ministry of Reconciliation.

Episcopal

• Episcopal Peace Fellowship [106]
  Web site includes contact information, a description of the history and mission of the organization, links to local chapters and related web sites, and resource materials [107] (pamphlets, booklets and PDF files to download), including on nonviolence training [108]. PDF files require Adobe® Acrobat® Reader [109] to view.

Interfaith

• The Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) [110]
  The web site of the "largest, oldest, interfaith peace organization in the United States" has a description of the organization's founding, history and vision, extensive information on programs, including the Israel/Palestine program [111] and the Peacemaker Training Institute [112]. as well as a list of links [113] to related web sites, including the International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) [114] based in the Netherlands, of which FOR is a member. FOR also Publishes Fellowship [115], a bimonthly newsletter and other publications.
• Interfaith Voices for Peace and Justice [116]
  A communications network of groups working in peace and justice issues, its web site contains a directory of several hundred member organizations [117] and representatives in a searchable database.
• International Committee for the Peace Council [118]
  The web site of this "international and interfaith group of religious and spiritual leaders" has a list [119] of peace councilors (including Rev. Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama), Peace Council News [120], and links [121] to related sites.
• Institute for Peace and Justice [122]
  The web site emphasizes resources for families and children, including a Parenting for Peace and Justice Network (PPJN) [123] and a Families Against Violence Advocacy Network (FAVAN) [124], with accompanying newsletters and resources.
• United Religions Initiative (URI) [34]
  The web site includes an introduction [35] to the URI, a quarterly newsletter, press releases, regional news and events [36], and several web pages on issues in peacebuilding [37].
• Tannenbaum Center for Inter-religious Understanding [29]
  Information on the Center's mission and work [30], programs [31] and resources [32], and a community engagement [33] section with a blog and forums.
• World Conference on Religion and Peace [38]
  The web site has detailed information on the organization's history [39], its mission [40] and worldwide affiliates [41], its peacebuilding initiatives [42], and other resources [43].

Jewish

• Jewish Peace Fellowship [125]
  Web site has news and information, articles, reports and sections on specific activities and areas of concern, such as the Middle East or social justice. Also includes a newsletter, other publications and links to related web sites.

Lutheran

• Lutheran Peace Fellowship [126]
  Web site has a description of the work of the organization, peace activities for youth and a substantial section on peace education [127] and resources, with a bibliography for Peacemaking and Nonviolence 2001: [128] An Annotated Guide to the 201 Most Useful Books, Manuals, Web Sites, and Videos for the Nobel Decade for Peace, 2001-2010.

Mennonite

• Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) U.S., Peace and Justice Ministries [129]
  Web site describes current projects and programs such as Peace Education [130]. Resources and publications include the Peace Office Newsletter [131], a quarterly publication from the Mennonite Central Committee's Overseas Peace Office, occasional papers [132], printed materials and other media, and an annual report [133] of the work of the MCC organization.
• Peace & Justice Committee of the Mennonite Church [134]
  Web site has sections on peace resources, Peace Sunday activities [135], a Peace Reader Program [136], a list of links [137] to peace sites, including books [138] on peace and other organizations.

Muslim

• Muslim Peace Fellowship [139]
  Web site includes contact information, a description of the history and mission of the organization, information on projects, grassroots initiative and a web page on a Muslim spiritual response to the attacks of September 11th [140].

Orthodox

• In Communion: Web Site of the Orthodox Peace Fellowship [141]
  Web site includes the full text of articles from the organization's quarterly journal In Communion [142], a daily prayer for peace [143], and additional essays on peacemaking [144] related to the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Quaker

• American Friends Service Committee [49]
  Web site has an extensive listing of links to AFSC programs [50], articles and reports on peacebuilding [51], and conflict resolution [52], among numerous other issues [53]. Other resources [54] include books, publications, periodicals--including the full text of Peaceworks [55], a monthly journal published since 1972 by the New England Regional Office of the AFSC (issues from December 1998 are available online), and links [56] to related organizations.

University-based Centers for the study of Religion and Conflict Resolution

• Berkeley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs [145]
  Housed at Georgetown University, the Berkley Center explores the intersection of religion with contemporary global challenges. The Center has four databases [146] on religion and world affairs and, in partnership with the Washington Post, hosts a blog [147] on the role of religion in the 2008 elections.
• Program in Religion, Conflict, and Peacebuilding, Joan B. Kroc Institute [148]
  Part of the University of Notre Dame, website provides an overview [149] of the Institute, a list of publications [150], and information on visiting fellowships [151] sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation.
• Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution [152]
  Part of George Mason University. Site provides an overview [153], information on activities [154] and published resources [155], and a list of useful links [156].

Selected Biographies

• Abdul Ghaffar Khan (1890-1988)
  Also known as Bacha Khan, Pashtun political and spiritual leader. Led a movement of Pashtu Muslim nonviolence. Biography [157] and photos [158] available.
• Archbishop Desmond Tutu (1931- )
  Former Archbishop of Cape Town and winner of the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end apartheid in South Africa. His biography [159] and Nobel lecture [160] are available from the Nobel Committee. He was later named head of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and founded the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre [161] in South Africa.
• Archbishop Oscar Romero (1917-1980)
  An account of the assassination [162] of Salvadoran Archbishop Romero in March 1980 is in the El Salvador Truth Commission Report [163], part of the U.S. Institute of Peace Library's Digital Collection.
• Bishop Samuel Ruiz García (1924- )
  Bishop Ruiz García retired as bishop of the Diocese of San Cristóbal de las Casas in Chiapas, Mexico in 1999. He was the co-winner of the 2000 Simón Bolívar prize, awarded by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Brief biographical information [119] and links to the human rights group [164] founded by Samuel Ruiz García appear on the International Committee for the Peace Council web site.
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968)
  Baptist Minister, leader of the U.S. civil rights movement, and winner of the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize. The King Center provides a biography [165], information on programs [166], a link to the King Papers Project [167] at Stanford University, and a selected bibliography [168] on Dr. King, Civil Rights, and Nonviolence.
• Maha Ghosananda (1929-2007)
  A Cambodian Buddhist monk who led peace marches through the heart of conflict zones in his native country in order to build support for peace and reconciliation. The Economist magazine provides an eloquent obituary [169].
• Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)
  A number of biographies and chronologies [170] are available, as well as well-known speeches [171], quotations [172], selected letters [173], and photographs [174].
• Monsignor Michel Sabbah, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem (1933- )
  A biography [175] and selected public addresses of Msgr. Sabbah.
• Sulak Sivaraksa (1933- )
  The Sathirakoses-Nagapradeepa Foundation [176] offers a biography, speeches [177] and articles [178], and an overview [179] of the Foundation's work.
• Thich Nhat Han (1926- )
  A Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk and a founder of the "engaged Buddhism" movement. His biography [180] and many published works [181], as well as podcasts of some of his Dharma Talks [182].

Selected Documents

• Centesimus Annus, May 1, 1991 [183]
  "Encyclical Letter Addressed by the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II to His Venerable Brothers in the Episcopate, the Priests and Deacons, families of Men and Women Religious, all the Christian Faithful and to All Men and Women of Good Will on the Hundredth Anniversary of Rerum Novarum [184]." Full text of the encyclical from the Vatican web site.
• The Harvest of Justice is Sown in Peace, November 17, 1993 [185]
  Subtitled "A Reflection of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops on the Tenth Anniversary of The Challenge of Peace," the full text of this document is from the National Conference of Catholic Bishops/United States Catholic Conference (NCCB/USCC) web site.
• Gaudium et Spes: "Pastoral Constitution on the Church and Modern World, Promulgated by His Holiness, Pope Paul VI on December 7,1965" [186]
  Full text of the II Vatican Council document from the Vatican web site.
• Pacem in Terris: "Encyclical of Pope John XXIII on Establishing Universal Peace in Truth, Justice, Charity, and Liberty," April 11, 1963 [187]
  Full text of the encyclical from the Vatican web site.
• Populorum Progressio: "Encyclical of Pope Paul VI on the Development of Peoples," March 26, 1967 [188]
  Full text of the encyclical from the Vatican web site.
• Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, December 30, 1987 [189]
  "Encyclical Letter of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II Sollicitudo Rei Socialis to the Bishops, Priests, Religious Families, Sons and Daughters of the Church, and all People of Good Will for the Twentieth Anniversary of 'Populorum Progressio.'" Full text of the encyclical from the Vatican web site.
• U.N. General Assembly Resolution 58/128 of 19 December 2003 [190]
  On the promotion of religious and cultural understanding, harmony and cooperation. (PDF file)
• U.N. General Assembly Resolution 59/23 of 11 November 2004 [191]
  On the promotion of inter-religious dialogue. (PDF file)
• U.N. General Assembly Resolution 59/199 of 20 December 2004 [192]
  On the elimination of all forms of religious intolerance. (PDF file)
• U.N. General Assembly Resolution 61/221 on 20 December 2006 [193]
  Promoting inter-religious dialogue, understanding, and cooperation for peace through the creation of a High-Level Dialogue. (PDF file)

Updated: September 24, 2007