Faith-Based Diplomacy: An Ancient Idea Newly Emergent (Task Force Report)
By Dr. Daniel Philpott, Rev. Brian Cox on 15 October 2003
Faith-based diplomacy is often practiced by non-state actors, NGO workers, religious leaders, and private citizens. Its religious foundation is adept at solving issues secular diplomacy cannot understand. One example is the reconciliation associated with the Institute for Reconciliation in Srinagar, Kashmir. Acknowledgment of the enemy's suffering, apology, forgiveness and reconciliation are found in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Faith-based diplomacy makes it possible to hold conversations about these concepts in a safe environment.
Executive Summary
Recommendations for policy makers and diplomats:
- build relationships with faith leaders.
Recommendations for young activists in faith-based diplomacy: attach yourself to an experienced practitioner as a mentor.
- Explore programs in peace studies that have a strong religious component such as that offered by the Kroc Institute at Notre Dame, or programs in conflict resolution such as that offered by Pepperdine University School of Law.
- Become committed to specific international conflict situations-long-term involvement, relationship-building, trust, and on-site knowledge are the keys to making a difference.
Introduction
Practitioners of faith-based diplomacy will, to be sure, draw upon secular expertise in conflict resolution and analysis, political science and philosophy, experience in national security, diplomacy, community development, and the like. But their central, orienting compass is their faith.Here, we seek to describe these principles and practices in the hope that with a keener understanding of them, practitioners can better integrate their faith and their expertise and become what Scott Appleby has called "militants for peace."
