Two-day workshop raising awareness about IRD as a conflict prevention and resolution tool in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique last week. Organized by the AU Interfaith Dialogue Forum, the event emphasized the critical role of faith-based actors in bringing about sustainable peace in Northern Mozambique and presented a 3-year project plan on IRD and CEWER.

On November 29-30, the Peacemakers Network participated in a two-day workshop on ‘Intra-and Inter-Religious Dialogue for Peace and Stability’ in Northern Mozambique. Organized by the African Union’s Interfaith Dialogue Forum (AU-IFDF), the workshop aimed to empower religious leaders and faith-based actors in advocacy, capacity building in Interreligious Dialogue (IRD) for conflict management, and the establishment of Conflict Early Warning Response (CEWER) mechanisms in volatile areas.

Objectives of the workshop:

1. Raise awareness of the key stakeholders in Cabo Delgado about the importance of IRD in conflict resolution.
2. Secure buy-in by key stakeholders in the establishment of Interreligious Peace Committees with functions of Conflict Early Warning and Early Response (CEWER).
3. Gather feedback from local partners on the Action Plan for the establishment of Interreligious Peace Committees.

Additionally, the Peacemakers Network had an opportunity to share about current engagement and work on interreligious dialogue and social cohesion in Mozambique through the ID-Peace and Community Social Cohesion projects. The event fostered increased awareness and acknowledgement of IRD as a conflict prevention and resolution tool, and recognized the critical role of faith-based actors in enhancing social cohesion and fostering sustainable peace in Northern Mozambique. Continued collaboration with the AU-IFDF IRD was emphasized to continue building out efforts in fostering sustainable peace for the region.

About the ID-Peace Project

Implemented alongside MASC Foundation and funded by the United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, the Interreligious Dialogue for Peace and Social Cohesion (ID-Peace) Project contributes to reducing inter-and intra-communal tensions and related religious freedom abuses by strengthening social cohesion and religious tolerance in Northern Mozambique. The project focuses on building the capacity of local community leaders and civil society actors to promote active dialogue and engagement with local authorities, and ensure local ownership of peace and dialogue processes.

About the Community Social Cohesion Project

Together with lead organization Aga Khan Foundation and Associação Progresso, the Peacemakers Network began the implementation of the Community Social Cohesion (CSC) Project in Mozambique that aims to identify the incentives that drive violent extremism (VE) and discover best practices to support Village Development Organizations (VDOs) in countering VE. Funded by the European Union Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace, the project draws on the Peacemakers Network’s experience on conflict prevention, and provide technical expertise and capacity support to the project team, communities, government, and other stakeholders on interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, and social cohesion.