Faith-based peace-building : Mapping and analysis of Christian, Muslim and multi-faith actors

Religion has become an important topic on today’s policy agenda. Policy-makers are no longer able to get around religion’s role in conflict and peace, and in particular in conflict prevention and peace-building. Although religion is often blamed for inciting conflict, it can also help to resolve conflict and decrease tensions. This study focuses on the possible positive role(s) of religion—that is, of faith-based organizations—in building peace.This desk study analyses 27 Christian, Muslim and multi-faith organizations that are working on peace-building in conflict situations. By studying how they operate as peace-builders, the study aims to shed more light on the peace-building potential of faith-based organizations. It particularly aims to advise donors on how they can deal with faith-based peace-building in policy. Based on this first and limited analysis, the authors came to the following findings, donor recommendations and suggestions for follow-up study.