No. 105: Mediating Conflicts with Religious Dimensions

Author(s): Simon Mason, Sabina Stein
Editor(s): Daniel Trachsler
Series: CSS Analyses in Security Policy
Issue: 105
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich
Publication Year: 2011

Conflicts involving religious dimensions often seem more difficult to resolve due to the indivisible and non-compromising nature of religious identities and issues. Nevertheless, mediation has the potential to facilitate negotiations between conflict parties, which can lead to peaceful co-existence. The key is to look for practical solutions that address the involved parties' concerns and that are compatible with their worldviews and values. To do this, mediators need to avoid judging parties' religious worldviews and understand that religions shape behavior, but they do not dictate it.

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Other Mediation and Conflict Transformation Publications

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Intrastate Conflicts with Religious Issues 1989-2003