Join the Wilson Center on December 4 from 1:00 to 2:30 PM as we host an event on the intersection between religious institutions and peacebuilding in Ethiopia.

Religion continues to play a large role in public and private spheres in Africa despite global trends towards secularization. While religion's role in conflict is usually approached in paradox – both as an instrument of violence and peace – there has been increased attention in recent years towards the role of religious institutions in peacebuilding. 

With the prevalence of various conflicts in Ethiopia, including the two-year war in the Tigray region and the ongoing armed conflict in the Amhara and Oromia regions, the path towards peace remains difficult. In this context, there is a possibility for religious institutions to play an important peacebuilding role. 

This event will deliberate on the local contexts and agency for peacebuilding in Ethiopia. Based on case studies from first-hand research in Northern Ethiopia, it will critically examine the role of religious institutions in peacebuilding. It also navigates the different ways that religious institutions can contribute to peacebuilding and the lessons to be taken for peacebuilding policy not just in Ethiopia, but in Africa generally.

Speakers:

• Yirga Abebe Damtie: Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding Scholar; PhD Candidate, Institute for Peace and Security Studies, Addis Ababa University

• Terrence Lyons: Professor, Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution George Mason University