From Dialogue to Peacebuilding? Perspectives for the Engagement of Religious Actors by the European Union and the European People’s Party

Bokern, Friedrich;Lemmetyinen, Sofia;Legrand, Vincent;Maréchal, Brigitte
(2009) published

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At the heart of this study is the nexus between intercultural dialogue and religious peacebuilding in the policy-making of the European Union (EU). The paper attempts to analyse the possible benefits for political agencies of the EU from extending their cooperation with religious actors to the prevention and reconciliation of violent conflicts. Not only since 9/11 has a new emphasis been placed upon the relation of religion to political extremism and/or sectarian strife; in the context of increasingly heterogeneous societies, these questions are relevant for both domestic and foreign affairs. Concepts of intercultural and/or interreligious dialogue have partly been promoted in reaction to these concerns, though hitherto too often in lack of consistency. Following some general considerations on the role of religious actors in the changing patterns of religion, ethics and politics, this study thus investigates the EU’s commitment to the religious dimension of intercultural dialogue. Special emphasis is placed on the role of the European People’s Party in shaping the political agenda and on the proclamation of 2008 as European Year for Intercultural Dialogue. The concrete potential of interreligious dialogue for building peaceful societies is probed in the study of two post-conflict situations that include a dimension of religious identity. In the two cases of Lebanon and Bosnia-Herzegovina, the EU has played a particular role in the peace and stabilisation process. However, the expertise and potential of religious actors have not fully been tapped. On the basis of observations made on the ground, the authors suggest to develop a “religious-sensitive approach” to conflict prevention and peacebuilding, particularly in situations of sectarian strife with a religious dimension.
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