Read this incredible interview of Marc Gopin, peacemaker and professor at George Mason University. This is seriously solid and important reading, especially given current perceptions of impasse in Israel and Palestine.
In the Jerusalem Post or at MarcGopin.com
Muslim/Christian violence is in the news again. Last week we wrote about the deadly conflict in Nigeria (read on for an update), and this week it’s the interethnic conflict in Malaysia.
Also, France approved a partial ban of burqas, and another Oregon faith healing case made headlines.
24 individuals from 17 countries have been nominated for our Peacemakers in Action and Women’s Peace Initiative awards. During the last 9 weeks, staff have reviewed, researched, collated, charted, researched again and ranked according to our five criteria. As of Friday, it will be up to our expert selection committee… Read the rest of this entry »
There were a few hard-to-miss-stories this week: the ongoing violence in Nigeria, the New York flight diverted to Philly after someone mistook a fellow passenger’s tefillin for a potential explosive device, the scripture-inscribed gun barrels. There were also some lesser-picked up stories, like the religious schoolteacher whose actions are dividing his Ohio town. And there was – as always – a study.
The overwhelming majority of stories we find when researching religious diversity news involve some type of religious intolerance. Well, a shocking new statistic came out this week that explains why: 70% of the world’s population lives without religious freedom. Read the rest of this entry »
Over the past two months people from around the globe have shared with us the stories of their colleagues, friends and neighbors who are changing the world. We have received 20 nominations for the next Peacemaker in Action and Women’s Peace Initiative award winners! Read the rest of this entry »
The Fondation Chirac’s first Conflict Prevention Prize was awarded on November 6th to Imam Muhammad Ashafa and to Pastor James Wuye for their efforts in Nigeria. Just up today: you can watch videos, see pictures and download their speeches! Click here. Read the rest of this entry »
That was the title of the seminar I presented at the Interfaith Youth Corps 6th Conference on Interfaith Youth Work this week. To an over-stuffed room of 19 students, professors and non-profit trainers, I presented the findings of our summer’s work: 22 interviews with 10 seminaries, one divinity school and one graduate department of religion.
I may have rushed through my PowerPoint, as I wanted to continue the survey – hearing from this group, how can and should peacemaking be incorporated into future religious leadership? Read the rest of this entry »
On July 9th, toward the end of a conference call about building a Peacemakers’ Network, Chencho told us that he was just back from Honduras – where a military-led coup had ousted President Jose Manuel Zelaya 11 days before.
Having read passing coverage of the event and analysis of its causes, we were unfamiliar with the story Chencho told: that half a million protesters organized by 36 civil society organizations were marching; that priests and teachers feared a return to the times of the guerrilla wars and regional instability; that accusations of a power grab were not only false, but also illogical in light of the referendum and election timelines. Chencho concluded by stating simply: “if the voice of the people can be heard, it would better the situation in Honduras.” Read the rest of this entry »
“Even though there is violence all around, this is a place of the profoundest peace.”
This is how Andrew has described the church of St George of Mesopotamia, the Art Deco, brick built place of worship in Baghdad, situated on Haifa Street in the ‘Red Zone’. However, this morning, that peace was shattered by a bomb blast, along with every window in the church. Read the rest of this entry »
Caity, Associate, Program and Communications
Heather, Conflict Res.
Mark, Manager of Programs
Rachel, Workplace/Healthcare
Tanenbaum
