Engaging Interreligious Peacebuilding Agencies and Policy Makers in Responding to Conflicts: Beyond the Rhetoric

The recent polarization in many parts of the world has motivated policy makers and religious institutions to begin taking more seriously the potential constructive role that religion and its various agencies can take in responding to violent extremism, and in contributing to building stronger social cohesion in divided societies. Various agencies in the European Union, United Nations, and intergovernmental donors such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); the Department for International Development (DFID); Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA); etc. have begun engaging in partnerships with organizations (such as the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID)) who can assist them in engaging local religious agencies in their programing. Obviously faith‐based development and humanitarian relief organizations have been working in the area of promoting diversity, pluralism, and peacebuilding for at least two decades.