Publications

Religion has increasingly become a factor in international as well as internal conflicts. Religious leaders have gained prominence by contributing to intensification of conflicts, but also as peacemakers. Dialogue between religions and between religious leaders is in some instances seen as constructive contributions in a process toward sustainable peace. The purpose of this article is to explore how dialogue among religious leaders can assist political negotiations and contribute to lasting peace. Such dialogues are not about religious ideas; they are about religious issues which are relevant to political negotiations, and about political issues which have religious implications. Such dialogues can happen as part of political processes, or in the absence of political negotiations. The usefulness of such dialogues should be measured by their political effect. However, since politicians and diplomats often are caught up in their own, limited circles, the usefulness of religious dialogues should also be evaluated by civil society and independent observers.