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At ICRD’s year-end company gathering, Rodney J. MacAlister, CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board, shared some personal reflections for our community. He was encouraged by our Board to convey it more broadly, so here is an approximation of what was said:
“As we reflect on this past year and the work we’ve accomplished together, I’m struck by what makes ICRD truly different. In an era saturated with buzzwords like “cutting edge,” and “disruptive,” and “move fast and break things” coupled with break-neck innovation, we’ve chosen a fundamentally different path. And by doing so, our work has been transformative, shaped not by fashions or haste, but by remaining rooted in care, patience, and a deep respect for the communities we serve.
“Consider: We don’t cut, we heal. Since 2022, our work in Mali has built the capacity of women from over fifteen regions to lead sustainable prevention of violent extremism initiatives, focusing on psychosocial support, religious literacy, and indigenous peacebuilding methods. We don’t disrupt, we mend. Our diplomacy efforts in Syria, Sudan, Kashmir, and more, have been instrumental in opening critical conversations and moving leaders and communities towards cooperation instead of conflict. We don’t move fast and break things, we move thoughtfully, steadfastly, and put broken things back together. Our decade-long work in Saudia Arabia supported comprehensive education reform by helping to empower tolerance and pluralism in public school textbooks and training educators on critical thinking, and human rights, impacting the lives of countless students and shaping how future generations understand difference and coexistence.
“In a time when the loudest voices claim innovation by shaking what’s stable, we quietly innovate by strengthening what sustains. There is something profoundly precious about being this kind of different in an age that values the opposite. We are a community that weaves itself together and weaves other communities together in a manner that is wholesome, sustaining, and counter to the prevailing spirit of our times. This approach, grounded in empathy, is at the heart of everything we do. Whether we’re facilitating virtual exchanges between Yemeni and American university students through our Qisasna podcast program, developing mechanisms for religious inclusion in peace processes across Africa and the Middle East, or training faith leaders to address toxic polarization in divided communities here in the United States, we lead with an understanding of all viewpoints.
“I salute that about all of us, and I want to salute each of you individually—employees, spouses, partner organizations around the world, our talented interns, and all our supporters. Whatever your place in the ICRD community, know this: you are treasured, and you make a difference. Thank you for being the kind of people who choose this path. Thank you for your dedication to the tireless work that is needed, now more than ever before. And thank you for your ongoing commitment to bridging religious considerations with global peacebuilding policy and practice.
“Looking ahead to the coming year, I’m filled with hope. Hope that we will continue to experience meaningful successes that improve people’s lives. Hope that our commitment to empathy-driven peacebuilding will create ripples that extend far beyond what we can measure. Hope that in choosing to heal, to mend, and to build thoughtfully, we’ll inspire others to join us in this essential work.
“Here’s to another year of building a world where peace is not just possible, but lasting.”