Religious actors & institutions can be powerful drivers for peace & peacebuilding; engaging in interfaith & intrafaith dialogue can help groups come together to find common ground. This Thematic Action Area is a collection of discussions, resources, events & more that provide knowledge & coordination opportunities around religious freedom in conflict-affected settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), “Inherent in religious freedom is the right to believe or not believe as one’s conscience leads, and live out one’s beliefs openly, peacefully, and without fear. Freedom of religion or belief is an expansive right that includes the freedoms of thought, conscience, expression, association, and assembly. While religious freedom is a core human right international law and treaty recognize and a vital element of national security, critical to ensuring a more peaceful, prosperous, and stable world.”
According to USIP, “The mission of protecting religious freedom is closely allied to that of building peace. Just as the world of conflict resolution can learn from the particular abilities of, and knowledge within, religious communities, the religious freedom movement can advance its goals by borrowing from the approaches of peacebuilding.” To learn more about this relationship, click here.
To start conversations about & provide insight on topics related to religious freedom in conflict settings, please explore & contribute to our Discussions.
For a collection of resources on religious freedom & conflict, please visit our Resource Library.
For a list of organizations & groups working on religious freedom in conflict contexts, please see our Collaboration Map.
Yes, please visit the Asia Religious & Ethnic Freedom page to learn more:
Asia Religious & Ethnic Freedom