A new dynamic for faith-based peacebuilding
A new dynamic for faith-based peacebuilding
Cordaid, 20 Jan 2016
URL: https://www.cordaid.org/en/news/new-dynamic-faith-based-peacebuilding/
Representatives of the three main faiths in the Central African Republic – a country that is violently torn by conflict along religious lines – participated in a Cordaid peacebuilding workshop. The event took place in Cameroon after security concerns in Bangui led the organizing partners to consider a meeting venue outside of the country.
Cordaid organized a preparation workshop for its dialogue initiative Religions and Peace in the Central African Republic on 16-18 December in Limbé, western Cameroon. The activity was organized in close partnership with Finn Church Aid and with local partners Faith Culture Education and the CAR Interreligious Platform.
Faith-based networks can do a lot to promote tolerance.
The fact that participants of the three main faiths in CAR - Christian Catholic, Protestant, and Islam- accepted Cordaid invitation despite high tensions in Bangui was of symbolic significance. Violent clashes had occurred days before the start of the workshop in connection with the electoral process, prompting the organizers to hold the meeting in Cameroon.
The interfaith workshop gathered 35 participants including religious actors, members of faith-based organisations and civil society, as well as media professionals. Together, participants reflected on the country context and lessons learned from past interfaith initiatives. They discussed ways to strengthen religious practice with action-oriented peacebuilding in the CAR. Resource persons from Cameroon were invited to participate and exchange best practices in faith-based peacebuilding with central African.
Priests, imams and pastors join hands
Group work of priests, imams, and pastors in Limbé showed that peaceful coexistence is possible in CAR. It also showed that much more needs to be done and can be done by faith-based networks to promote tolerance and respect for diversity in the country.
Ultimately the purpose of the dialogue initiative is to contribute to bring peace to the CAR.
Workshop discussions emphasized two needs:
to develop a shared methodological approach – diapraxis -for an inclusive and action-oriented dialogue;
to build capacity of partner organisations.
Participants acknowledged the added value of engaging stakeholders in a regional framework and continuing exchanging best practices with religious experts in Cameroon.
To be continued in Bangui
The dialogue initiative is planned to kick off in Bangui early next year with a series of consultations and roundtables focusing on increasing cohesion inside faith-based groups. The next steps will be to better connect the Interreligious Platform with grassroots level, increase access to vulnerable groups, and enhance knowledge on faith-based peacebuilding. Ultimately the purpose of the dialogue initiative Religions and Peace that was born in Limbé is to contribute to bring peace to the CAR.
Cordaid organized a preparation workshop for its dialogue initiative Religions and Peace in the Central African Republic on 16-18 December in Limbé, western Cameroon. The activity was organized in close partnership with Finn Church Aid and with local partners Faith Culture Education and the CAR Interreligious Platform.
Faith-based networks can do a lot to promote tolerance.
The fact that participants of the three main faiths in CAR - Christian Catholic, Protestant, and Islam- accepted Cordaid invitation despite high tensions in Bangui was of symbolic significance. Violent clashes had occurred days before the start of the workshop in connection with the electoral process, prompting the organizers to hold the meeting in Cameroon.
The interfaith workshop gathered 35 participants including religious actors, members of faith-based organisations and civil society, as well as media professionals. Together, participants reflected on the country context and lessons learned from past interfaith initiatives. They discussed ways to strengthen religious practice with action-oriented peacebuilding in the CAR. Resource persons from Cameroon were invited to participate and exchange best practices in faith-based peacebuilding with central African.
Priests, imams and pastors join hands
Group work of priests, imams, and pastors in Limbé showed that peaceful coexistence is possible in CAR. It also showed that much more needs to be done and can be done by faith-based networks to promote tolerance and respect for diversity in the country.
Ultimately the purpose of the dialogue initiative is to contribute to bring peace to the CAR.
Workshop discussions emphasized two needs:
to develop a shared methodological approach – diapraxis -for an inclusive and action-oriented dialogue;
to build capacity of partner organisations.
Participants acknowledged the added value of engaging stakeholders in a regional framework and continuing exchanging best practices with religious experts in Cameroon.
To be continued in Bangui
The dialogue initiative is planned to kick off in Bangui early next year with a series of consultations and roundtables focusing on increasing cohesion inside faith-based groups. The next steps will be to better connect the Interreligious Platform with grassroots level, increase access to vulnerable groups, and enhance knowledge on faith-based peacebuilding. Ultimately the purpose of the dialogue initiative Religions and Peace that was born in Limbé is to contribute to bring peace to the CAR.