As part of our special series for Conflict Resolution Month this October, this is our fourth article where we have highlighted the following interfaith peacebuilding organizations across the globe:
Lebanon: ADYAN
Founded in 2006, ADYAN, which means “religions” in Arabic, works to improve religious inclusion and coexistence in Lebanon. They have affected over 50,000 beneficiaries identifying with different religions across Lebanon. Their ALWAN program works with 45 public and private schools by offering activities and training sessions to promote active and inclusive citizenship. One of their biggest victories has been the Lebanese Ministry of Education adopting the concepts of inclusive citizenship to Lebanese curricula in March 2013 upon their recommendation.
U.S: Religions for Peace
RFP is one of the largest multireligious forums in the country with more than 50 religious communities under them representing all major faith traditions. Their mission is to protect religious minorities and their right to practice their faith, the rights of ethnic minorities, as well as battling climate change. They have initiated several programs, such as the 9/11 Unity Walk, and strive to build community through their natural gatherings of religious leaders program. Globally, they have programs on immigration, climate change, as well as inter-religious peace, such as ICCI in Israel.
Israel: Inter-Religious Coordinating Council in Israel (ICCI)
Since 1991, ICCI works on Jewish-Arabic relations and peacebuilding in Israel. Their goal is to promote interreligious peace amongst the three Abrahamic religions. The organization is affiliated with over 75 Christian, Palestinian/Muslim, and Jewish institutions. It serves as the Israel chapter of Religions for Peace (WCRP). They consistently do team programs to create dialogue and have an Interreligious Advisory Committee to discuss issues of relevance to interfaith harmony strategically. They also offer services in peace education and mediation.
Australia: APS Buddhism and Psychology
Buddhism and Psychology is an interest group under the Australian Psychological Society that explores the therapeutic dimensions of the Buddhist philosophy. They hold regular workshops and forums for therapists and students to learn about different themes, such as non-dual therapy, acceptance, zen meditation, etc. They publish a quarterly e-newsletter called Contemplative Views which includes news about Buddhism in popular media, emerging psychological research using Buddhism principles, and an article discussing Buddhism and Psychology.
Conflict Resolution Month
Conceived by The Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) in 2005, October is observed as the month of Conflict Resolution each year. The third Thursday of October is celebrated as Conflict Resolution Day, which fell on the 15th of October this year.
The goals of the month are to:
- Promote awareness of mediation, arbitration, conciliation, and other creative, peaceful means of resolving conflict;
- Promote the use of conflict resolution in schools, families, businesses, communities, governments, and the legal system;
- Recognize the significant contributions of (peaceful) conflict resolvers;
- Obtain national synergy by having celebrations happen across the country and around the world on the same day.
We will be featuring a new set of organizations globally each week, so stay put.
