Peacemakers in Action: Volume 1: Profiles of Religion in Conflict Resolution

by Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, David Little (Editor)

Just a quick look at the news headlines on any given day is a powerful reminder that devastating armed conflicts worldwide are destroying lives and whole communities often in the name of religion. Hidden in the news, if reported on at all, are the brave religious leaders in these zones of violence, working to bring peace and reconciliation to their people. These inspiring men and women offer critical insights and skills for addressing today's most urgent conflicts. But their stories are rarely told. Peacemakers in Action: Profiles of Religion in Conflict Resolution shares the experiences of 16 such remarkable religious peacemakers who have put their lives on the line in conflicts around the world from Israel-Palestine to Northern Ireland, the Balkans, Sudan, South Africa, El Salvador, Indonesia and beyond. For each of them, religious texts and traditions have served both as a source of inspiration and as a practical resource in resolv ing conflict. These grassroots peacemakers are powerful, but underutilized actors for resolving some of the world's most horrifying conflicts. As such, this book contains timely information for diplomats, government officials, and resolution practitioners, as well as today's students of religion and international affairs, our future peacemakers. And in a world where religion-based conflict affects us all, this book provides critical lessons and much-needed hope for each of us.

524 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Becky]

My favorite thing about this book is the fabulous format. The Tanenbaum Center has extensive, detailed, interesting profiles of several of their honorees, and begins each one with a detailed but concise history of the region and conflict in which the peacemaker was working, transitions smoothly into the story of the peacemaker him- or her-self, always very specific, very exciting, and very engaging, and then at the end of the chapter includes the official CIA stats on that country or region, with a little map, etc. It's WONDERFUL, because it combines the kind of stories that stick with you and teach you with clear, digestible factual detail. So often, I feel like I end up with one or the other, if I'm lucky, and both are really important to gain an understanding of any conflict or response.