The Promise and Challenge of Multireligious Peacebuilding in the 21st Century

A Myanmar Case Study

Bibliographic Data

ID3407484
AuthorsAnna S King, Anna King (0000-0002-3039-2995, University of Winchester, corresponding author), Mark Owens (0000-0002-1563-3105), Mark Owen (University of Winchester)
Year2020
Volume11
Issue3
Pages121
Publication date2020-03-11
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReligions (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/rel11030121
OpenAlexW3012154620
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited29

This article explores whether a relational approach to peacebuilding, shared multireligious perspectives and widening networks can bring sources of strength which enable positive peacebuilding and create grassroots, cross-community peace. While religious peacebuilding organizations have become the object of a burgeoning literature, the role of multireligious organisations in peacebuilding has received far less attention. The purpose of this paper is to redress this lack. By examining the influence, challenges and benefits of multireligious approaches to transnational peacebuilding, we hope to develop a sharper and more critically nuanced understanding of the potential role of multireligious organisations in global peacebuilding, and consider what, if anything, distinguishes them from secular and other faith-based organisations. We do so by analysing the impact of a project carried out in Myanmar by Religions for Peace. The project provides three case studies which offer unique opportunities to consider the limits and potential of multireligious grassroots interventions in conflict contexts with very different histories and cultural configurations

Grassroots · Peacebuilding · Political science · Politics · Redress · Sociology · Asian Geopolitics and Ethnography · Law · Peacebuilding and International Security · Public Administration · Religion, Society, and Development