CIAO DATE: 03/2011
February 2011
Norwegian Peacebuilding Resource Centre
Many political conflicts have a religious dimension, as religion is at the heart of the identities of those involved. Thus, religious dialogue may be a key to the peaceful resolution of these conflicts. Nowhere is this more true than the Holy Land. But how can such a dialogue be initiated and sustained, what problems does it face, and what is the character and role of a facilitator in the process? Here, Rev. Dr. and Canon Trond Bakkevig addresses these questions by drawing on his long experience of working in the area of religious dialogue between religious leaders of Israel and Palestine. Dialogue, he says, is vital in creating space where religion can be made visible, common humanity affirmed, the “other” recognised, and constructive solutions which recognise the integrity of those involved in conflicts achieved. Thus, religious dialogue can clear the way for political decisions. All this, however, requires the facilitator of dialogue to play a distinctive role, which involves a range of attributes: among them attentiveness to the complex range of actors and factors in any encounter, understanding of and insight into the religious beliefs and sentiments of the participants as well as respect for them personally, the capacity to engage and network widely, and – a vital quality – the ability to listen.
Resource link: Religious dialogue and the quest for peace in the Middle East [PDF] - 430K