programs
programs
Program Strategies:
ICRDโs programs focus on areas where religious identity converges with challenges to stability. The programs, which are universally co-created with local communities, manifest differently in each context. ICRD collaborates with partners to generate sustainable and replicable resilience that addresses present challenges and empowers communities to effectively respond to unforeseen future crises.ย
ICRDโs 25 years of peacebuilding implementation in more than two dozen nations include such activities as promoting tolerance in religious education, enhancing and spotlighting the role of women of faith peacebuilders, supporting the reintegration of former combatants, advancing reconciliation processes between former adversaries, supporting formal peace processes, interfaith collaboration on local conflict issues, preventing violent extremism, and advocating for local community concerns within policy-maker priorities.
Objectives
Enhance the Capacity of Religious Peacebuilders
Remove Religion as a Driver of Violence
Increase the Number and Diversity of Religious Peacebuilders
Inform the Field of Practice

Where We Work
We are all over the world!

Middle East & North Africa

Country Specific Program
Egypt (2008-2010) โ Best-Practices in Islamic Education madrasa curriculum development with Pakistani religious educators in multiple country contexts
Country Specific Program
Ivory Coast (2010) โ Interfaith and conflict prevention trainings with madrasa religious-school leaders.
Country Specific Programs
Jordan (2021-2023) โ Youth civic education and life skills development program, with award-winning media partner Big Bad Boo, using cultural stories to promote non-violence, inclusion, and rights.
Jordan (2016-2019) โ Training workshops with Yemeni religious and community leaders for conflict resolution and extremism prevention program design and implementation.
Country Specific Programs
Lebanon (2021-2023) โ Youth civic education and life skills development program, with award-winning media partner Big Bad Boo, using cultural stories to promote non-violence, inclusion, and rights.
Lebanon (2019) โ Global religious peacebuilder exchange and local interreligious workshops on social cohesion and conflict prevention from Syrian refugee camps in Akkar Valley to the south.
Lebanon (2016-2019) โ Training workshops with Yemeni religious and community leaders for conflict resolution and extremism prevention program design and implementation.
Lebanon (2010) โ Interfaith and intercultural peacebuilding workshop.
Lebanon (2009-2012) โย Back from the Brinkย documentary film and associated educational material addressing the prevention of, intervention in, and recovery from radicalized identity-based violence.
Regional and Global Programs
Libyaย (2018-2024) โ Developing and implementing mechanisms for religious inclusion in ongoing peace processes in partnership with the African Union, UN Mediation Support Unit, and others.
Libya (2018-2024) โ Case studies and specialized capacity building based on negotiations and mediations led by women of faith from areas threatened by extremist and communal violence.
Libya (2017) โ Study on the role and impact of religious and traditional actors on official (โTrack 1โ) peace processes.
Conferences
Libya (2010) โ Global conference and government outreach on youth engagement in conflict prevention.
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Country Specific Programs
Morocco (2016-2018) โ Designing and implementing a training manual for local non-governmental organizations, religious influencers, and pseudo-governmental institutions on preventing extremism.
Morocco (2015-2017) โ โResearch-to-actionโ community-based study advising policymakers on engaging conservative faith actors in preventing extremism.
ย Country Specific Program
Palestinian Territories (2006) โ Faith-based reconciliation workshops.
Country Specific Program
Saudi Arabia (2019-2022) โ Trainings for educators and curriculum designers on globalization themes grounded in Islamic history and principles, including: religious literacy, tolerance, critical thinking, human rights.
Saudi Arabia (2014) โ US-Saudi educator exchange on increasing tolerance in pedagogy and curriculum.
Saudi Arabia (2011-2022) โ Multiple iterations assessing and supporting the removal of religious intolerance and incitement to violence in public school textbooks.
Country Specific Programs
Regional and Global Programs
Syria (2018-2024) โ Developing and implementing mechanisms for religious inclusion in ongoing peace processes in partnership with the UN Mediation Support Unit and others.
Syria (2018-2024) โ Case studies and specialized capacity building based on negotiations and mediations led by women of faith from areas threatened by extremist and communal violence.
Country Specific Programs
Tunisia (2019-2020) โ Assessments with and trainings for local non-governmental organizations on engaging religious and civil society actors in preventing violent extremism.
Tunisia (2015-2017) โ โResearch-to-actionโ community-based study advising policymakers on engaging conservative faith actors in preventing extremism.
Country Specific Programs
Regional and Global Programs
Yemen (2018-2024) โ Developing and implementing mechanisms for religious inclusion in ongoing peace processes in partnership with the UN Mediation Support Unit and others.
Yemen (2018-2024) โ Women of faith negotiation and mediation case studies from areas threatened by extremist and communal violence to inform specialized capacity building.
Sub-Saharan Africa

Country Specific Program
Cameroon (2020-2023) โ Measuring the impact of civic values training on student vulnerability to religious intolerance and violent extremism in informal religious education spaces.
Country Specific Program
Chad (2020-2023) โ Measuring the impact of civic values training on student vulnerability to religious intolerance and violent extremism in informal religious education spaces.
Country Specific Program
Ethiopia (2018-2020) โ โResearch-to-actionโ community-based study advising policymakers on engaging conservative faith actors in preventing extremism.
Regional and Global Programs
Ethiopia (2018-2024) โ Developing and implementing mechanisms for religious inclusion in ongoing peace processes in partnership with the African Union, UN Mediation Support Unit and others.
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Country Specific Program
Kenya (2018-2020) โ Assessments with and trainings for local non-governmental organizations on engaging religious and civil society actors in preventing violent extremism.
Regional and Global Programs
Kenya (2018-2024) โ Case studies and specialized capacity building based on negotiations and mediations led by women of faith from areas threatened by extremist and communal violence.
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Country Specific Program
Mali (2022-2023) โ Building the capacity of Malian women from 15 different regions for effective, community-level extremism prevention actions.
Country Specific Program
Nigeria (2014) โ Supporting local partner implementation of Muslim-Christian dialogues for conflict prevention.
Regional and Global Programs
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Regional and Global Programs
South Sudan (2017) โ Study on the role and impact of religious and traditional actors on official (โTrack 1โ) peace processes.
Country Specific Program
Sudan (1999-2002) โ Interreligious council development to advance dialogues in support of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
Regional and Global Programs
Sudan (2018-2024) โ Developing and implementing mechanisms for religious inclusion in ongoing peace processes in partnership with the African Union, UN Mediation Support Unit, and others.
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Country Specific Program
Asia

Country Specific Program
Afghanistan (2006-2008) โ Interfaith and policy-maker bridgebuilding to support peacebuilding and development.
Regional and Global Programs
Afghanistan (2018-2024) โ Case studies and specialized capacity building based on negotiations and mediations led by women of faith from areas threatened by extremist and communal violence.
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Country Specific Program
Azerbaijan (2022) โ G20 Interfaith Forum and government consultations on interreligious conflict prevention and recovery.
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Country Specific Programs
Bangladesh (2019-2021) โ Country-specific and regional capacity building and peace initiatives strengthening social cohesion across religious identity and informing multi-lateral policy makers.
Bangladesh (2008-2010) โย Best-Practices in Islamic Educationย madrasa curriculum development with Pakistani religious educators in multiple country contexts.ย prevention and recovery.
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Conferences
Finland: Global conference and workshops on the Role of Religion in Conflict Resolution.
Country Specific Program
India (2019-2021) โ Country-specific and regional capacity building and peace initiatives strengthening social cohesion across religious identity and informing multi-lateral policymakers.
Country Specific Programs
Indonesia (2019-2021) โ Country-specific and regional capacity building and peace initiatives strengthening social cohesion across religious identity and informing multi-lateral policymakers.
Indonesia (2018-2020) โ โResearch-to-actionโ community-based study advising policymakers on engaging conservative faith actors in preventing extremism.
Indonesia (2008-2010) โย Best-Practices in Islamic Educationย madrasa curriculum development with Pakistani religious educators in multiple country contexts.
Regional and Global Programs
Indonesia (2017) โ Study on the role and impact of religious and traditional actors on official (โTrack 1โ) peace processes.
Country Specific Program
Iran (2003) โ Convened delegations in the US and Iran for interfaith and policy-maker engagement.
Conferences
Japan (2019) โย G20 interfaith forum conference to Develop Actionable Recommendations on Religious Engagement for Global Policy Priorities.
Country Specific Program
Kashmir (2004-2005) โ Faith-based reconciliation workshops and compact for social cohesion.
Regional and Global Programs
Kazakhstan (2017) โ Civil society representative organization for regional State Department-led multi-lateral consultations on preventing extremism.
Conferences
Malaysia (2014) โ Global Peace Foundation World Summit Partner Organization
Country Specific Program
Maldives (2021-2023) โ Supporting the National Reintegration Center and civil society in the rehabilitation and reintegration of returned foreign terrorist fighter families, through a trauma-informed, whole-of-society approach.
Country Specific Program
Myanmar (2019-2021) โ Country-specific and regional capacity building and peace initiatives strengthening social cohesion across religious identity and informing multi-lateral policymakers.
Regional and Global Programs
Myanmar (2018-2024) โ Developing and implementing mechanisms for religious inclusion in ongoing peace processes in partnership with the Association of Southeast Asia Nations, UN Mediation Support Unit, and others.
Myanmar (2018-2024) โ Case studies and specialized capacity building based on negotiations and mediations led by women of faith from areas threatened by extremist and communal violence.
Myanmar (2017) โ Study on the role and impact of religious and traditional actors on official (โTrack 1โ) peace processes.
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Country Specific Program
Nepal (2014-2016) โ Convening conservative US and Pakistani religious leaders to unpack preconceptions across faith and culture and design collaborative programs to diminish prejudice.
Country Specific Programs
Oman (2022) โ Specialized capacity building based on negotiations and mediations led by women of faith from areas threatened by extremist and communal violence.
Oman (2013) โ Gathering of US and South Asian Christian and Islamic figures to discuss inter-religious understanding, dispel misguided preconceptions, and plan collaborative action.
ย Country Specific Programs
Pakistan (2015-2018) โ Workshops and projects advancing the role of women of faith in preventing violent extremism.
Pakistan (2015-2017) โ Building a multi-religious council to co-create an Islamic narrative countering sectarian violence and disseminate to conflict-impacted areas of every province.
Pakistan (2011-2014) โ Developing university-level training centers for informal madrasa educators.
Pakistan (2009-2012) โ Back from the Brink documentary film and associated educational material addressing the prevention of, intervention in, and recovery from radicalized identity-based violence.
Pakistan (2008-2012) โ Best-Practices in Islamic Education madrasa curriculum development with Pakistani religious educators in multiple country contexts.
Pakistan (2008-2011) โ Interfaith dialogues to reduce religious identity tensions through identifying shared values and collaborative action.
Pakistan (2004-2014) โ Supporting the inclusion of critical thinking pedagogy and religious tolerance within a broadened curriculum in thousands of conservative madrasa religious schools .
Country Specific Program
Philippines (2019-2021) โ Country-specific and regional capacity building and peace initiatives strengthening social cohesion across religious identity and informing multi-lateral policymakers.
Philippines (2019-2020) โ Assessments with and trainings for local non-governmental organizations on engaging religious and civil society actors in preventing violent extremism.
Regional and Global Programs
Philippines (2018-2024) โ Case studies and specialized capacity building based on negotiations and mediations led by women of faith from areas threatened by extremist and communal violence.
Philippines (2017) โ Study on the role and impact of religious and traditional actors on official (โTrack 1โ) peace processes in partnership with the Association of Southeast Asia Nations, UN Mediation Support Unit, and others.
Country Specific Program
Sri Lanka (2019-2021) โ Country-specific and regional capacity building and peace initiatives strengthening social cohesion across religious identity and informing multi-lateral policymakers.
Regional and Global Programs
Sri Lanka (2018-2024) โ Case studies and specialized capacity building based on negotiations and mediations led by women of faith from areas threatened by extremist and communal violence
Sri Lanka (2017) โ Study on the role and impact of religious and traditional actors on official (โTrack 1โ) peace processes.
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Country Specific Program
Thailand (2019-2021) โ Country-specific and regional capacity building and peace initiatives strengthening social cohesion across religious identity and informing multi-lateral policymakers.
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Country Specific Program
Turkey (2008-2010) โ Best-Practices in Islamic Education madrasa curriculum development with Pakistani religious educators in multiple country contexts.
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Conferences
UAE (2018-2019) โ World Tolerance Summit partner organization with the UAE Ministry of Tolerance and Alliance for Virtues.
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The Americas

Conferences
Argentina (2018) โ G20 Interfaith Forum Conference to Develop Actionable Recommendations on Religious Engagement: Religion and Conflict Working Group.
Argentina (2018) โ Partner Organization for Ministry of Culture Global Congress on Mediation and a Culture of Peace.
Argentina (2016) โ Partner Organization for Ministry of Culture Global Conference on Conflict Prevention and Reconciliation.
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Country Specific Programs
Colombia (2016-2017) โ Military academy and university trainings on the constructive engagement of faith communities in conflict prevention and reconciliation.
Colombia (2013-2017) โ Women of faith reconciliation trainings and community workshops to support the sustainable reintegration of former combatants across eight conflict-impacted regions.
Regional and Global Programs
ย Country Specific Programs
Paraguay (2014) โ training and consultations with the military on constructive engagement with religious communities to prevent extremist violence.
Country Specific Program
Europe

Country Specific Program
Regional and Global Programs
Balkans (2018-2024) โ Case studies and specialized capacity building based on negotiations and mediations led by women of faith from areas threatened by extremist and communal violence.
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Conference
Germany (2015) โ Donor and Stakeholder Workshop on Religion and Conflict Resolution in Yemen.
Country Specific Programs
Germany (2017) โ G20 Interfaith Forum conference to develop actionable recommendations on religious engagement: Religion and Conflict Working Group.
Conference
Italy (2021) โ G20 Interfaith Forum Conference to Develop Actionable Recommendations on Religious Engagement: Religion and Conflict Working Group.
Conference
Kosovo (2016) โ Partner Organization for Interfaith Kosovo Global Conference on Religion and Extremist Violence Prevention.
Country Specific Program
Northern Ireland (2018) โ Workshop with a global network of faith-based peacebuilders on best practices and intentional inclusion.
Regional and Global Programs
Country Specific Program
Spain (2018-2020) โ โResearch-to-actionโ community-based study advising policymakers on engaging conservative faith actors in preventing extremism.
Conference
Spain (2022) โ Partner Organization at Hedayah International CVE Research Conference.
Global Programming

Women of Faith Negotiators at the Front Lines of Violent Conflict
Since 2018, ICRD and the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) have partnered to research and support the role of religious women engaged in negotiating/mediating local settlements and/or protecting the fragile peace achieved through formal peace processes. ICRD, USIP, and country-based researchers are engaged in research focused on highlighting the role of women of faith negotiators/mediators in Kenya, Nigeria, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Myanmar, the Philippines, Northern Ireland, and Colombia. The research and case study findings will be used to address gaps in curriculum and training by informing the development of a specialized training program to support women of faith peacemakers and organizations engaged in supporting them. This curriculum will be developed by examining the factors that determine when womenโs engagement with conflict and/or extremist actors are effective, taking into account both those women who operate within religious frames and those who do not. ICRD and USIP will develop and pilot capacity-building trainings in negotiation and mediation with peer-to-peer mentorship to amplify the successes of women who contribute to peace in their communities and countries.
Religious Actors and Official Peace Processes
In 2017, ICRD conducted a preliminary desk study on the role and impact of religious and traditional actors on official (Track 1) peace processes in Colombia, Libya, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Philippines. Based on initial study findings, ICRD, the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Inclusive Peace (IP), and the United Nations Mediation Support Unit (UN MSU) formed a partnership in 2018 to advance research on case studies and develop practical resources such as policy briefs, guidance notes, capacity building modules, and mentoring resources. This partnership also included the creation of an Advisory Group and a Consortium of religious actors and experts to design and implement a support mechanism. Three ongoing peace processes will be supported through this program in 2020-2022, possibly including South Sudan, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Myanmar. As a direct impact of this program, policymakers and practitioners have recognized the value of drawing on the contributions of religious actors in official negotiations to reach political settlements to conflict. This is particularly the case for conflicts in which religious dynamics have shaped and driven the course of the conflict, and contributed to its imperviousness to resolution. In such conflicts, religious actors and communities have interests at stake in political negotiations related to the peace process and, if excluded, may act as spoilers, subsequently disrupting official negotiations. The program has been funded by the USIP and the GHR foundation.