Religion and Mediation Course
The Religion and Mediation Course (RMC) is a specialized training for mediators, peace practitioners, policy makers and others working to address violent political conflicts in contexts where religion has strong relevance. The goal of the course is for participants to deepen their understanding of the interplay between religion and politics in violent political conflicts.
Learning Goals
In an experience-oriented and interactive learning environment participants
• Gain understanding of how religion matters when working on conflict
• Acquire the tools for analyzing religion’s role in conflict
• Become familiar with a variety of approaches to mediating and transforming conflicts with religious dimensions
• Apply their learning to case studies of current conflicts with religious dimensions.
Timing and Application Details
Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Religion and Mediation Course 2021 was offered online. It is not yet decided in what format the RMC 2022 will take place.
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The Organizers
The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the Center for Security Studies (CSS) run a joint program entitled "Culture and Religion in Mediation". It draws on the FDFA’s 10+ years of experience working on religion and conflict transformation and the CSS’s mediation support expertise in its efforts to support conflict transformation and mediation processes addressing the interplay between religion and politics.
The course is organized in collaboration with the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, which seeks to identify and improve the support and engagement of traditional and religious peacemakers in mediation efforts. The Network works with approximately 50 organisations and its activities are oversighted by Core Group consisting of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), International Dialogue Center (KAICIID), Religions for Peace (RfP) and Finn Church Aid (FCA). The initiation of the Network was closely supported by the UN Mediation Support Unit of the Department of Political Affairs and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. The Secretariat of the Network is hosted by Finn Church Aid. The largest funder of the Network is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland. Finland is an active promoter of mediation internationally and co-chair of the Group of Friends of Mediation in the UN.
To learn more about the Network, visit: external pagewww.peacemakersnetwork.org