The Munich Security Conference side-event, “Religion and Security: Stabilizing Security Forces through Civil Society Contribution,” brought together the Minister of National Defense of the Central African Republic, Ms. Marie-Noëlle Koyara, and Cardinal Nzapalainga, representative of the Interreligious Platform of Central African Republic, to discuss the nexus between military and civil society cooperation in the Central African Republic (CAR). The discussion highlighted how religious actors can play a role in building a bridge between civil society and the armed forces to advance sustainable peace.
On the first day of the conference, the Minister of National Defense of the Central African Republic, Cardinal Nzapalainga, Minister of Foreign Affairs Finland, Minster Haavisto, and the Network held a meeting on the current situation in the Central African Republic. Finland has been a longstanding supporter of conflict resolution in CAR in collaboration with the civil society, namely the Network and Finn Church Aid. The work of both was highly praised by the CAR delegates.
This side- event was organized by the Network and the International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD).