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ray@icrd.org

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Rights as Weapons: Instruments of Conflict, Tools of Power by Clifford Bob

Ray Kim, Ph.D.

Director of U.S. Programs & Partnerships

As the Director of US Programs & Partnerships at the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy (ICRD), Ray Kim leads efforts to counteract toxic polarization and rebuild social cohesion by working with faith leaders and communities across the United States. He manages a portfolio of six domestic programs funded by diverse sources, including the Department of Homeland Security and private philanthropic donors.

Ray brings extensive expertise in conflict transformation, mediation, and depolarization, designing and facilitating workshops, trainings, and resources that empower communities to prevent violent extremism and promote inclusive dialogue. He has cultivated partnerships with faith actors, government agencies, and local organizations in cities such as Portland, Fargo, the Bay Area, and the DC/MD/VA region, addressing bias-related incidents, hate crimes, and community conflicts around gender, racial, and sexual identity. Internationally, Ray has supported the delivery of trainings on inclusive curriculum development for Saudi teachers and provided the qualitative research framework for ICRD’s work in creating pro-social educational content for children in Lebanon.

Ray also directs qualitative research efforts that inform program design and evaluation, ensuring interventions are contextually relevant and data-driven.

Ray earned his Ph.D. in Theology and Religious Studies from Georgetown University, specializing in the sociology of religion. His academic and professional pursuits have included research on Islamophobia in Korea, religious soft-power influences in global contexts, and the experiences of religious minorities in the Levant. He is a skilled facilitator, strategic thinker, and dedicated advocate for faith-based approaches to peacebuilding and social cohesion.