Events Calendar

See the flyer for the event.

Live on Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85951058363

Moderator:

Mr. Jacques Marion, President, UPF Europe and Middle East

Invited Speakers:

• Dr. Androniki Barla, Orthodox theologian and canon lawyer, Austria
• Dr. Mohammad Habash, Chairman, Human Fraternity Center; Associate Professor, Abu Dhabi University, UAE
• Dr. Afsar Rathor, Vice President, Coalition of Faith-Based Organizations; former UN diplomat
• Father Joseph Saghbini, Archimandrite of the Greek Melkite Catholic Church, Lebanon

Concept Note:

The continuing conflicts in the Middle East, with their profound humanitarian, social and political consequences, underline the urgent need for complementary approaches to peacebuilding. While official diplomacy and political negotiations remain indispensable, sustainable peace also requires rebuilding trust, promoting reconciliation and addressing the human and social dimensions of conflict.

In this context, Track II diplomacy—informal dialogue involving religious leaders, academics, civil society and other respected non-governmental actors—can provide valuable spaces for dialogue and confidence-building, particularly when official channels are constrained.

Judaism, Christianity and Islam, all rooted in the Middle East, share important ethical principles—including human dignity, compassion, justice, forgiveness and the sanctity of life—that can serve as foundations for reconciliation and peaceful coexistence. Religious leaders and faith-based organizations can also draw on their moral influence, community networks and local presence to counter narratives of hatred, encourage dialogue and support reconciliation.

This webinar will explore questions such as:

• How can interreligious dialogue move beyond mutual understanding and declarations to produce tangible contributions to reconciliation, conflict reduction and ultimately political peace in the Middle East?
• How can religious leaders help communities move beyond the deeply entrenched narratives of “we are right” and “we are the victims,” and encourage recognition of the suffering and legitimate concerns of the other side?
• What can religious actors bring to peacebuilding that conventional diplomacy cannot—particularly in terms of trust, moral authority, forgiveness and reconciliation—and what are the limitations or risks of involving religion in Track II diplomacy?
• What would it take for interreligious Track II diplomacy to become a meaningful catalyst for political negotiations and lasting reconciliation?