CONFERENCE REPORT
The COEXIST Curriculum and Dialogue in Religious
Peacemaking
The Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding


The Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding presented its high school curriculum, COEXIST, which teaches students the components of conflict and conflict resolution skills through a case study of a Muslim and Christian in Nigeria who once used their respective religions to fuel war against each other, but now use them as resources for dialogue and reconciliation. The workshop also shared stories and findings from the Center's book, Peacemakers in Action: Profiles of Religion in Conflict Resolution, which deals with religious peacemakers worldwide who lead their communities in effective dialogue and action amidst intractable sectarian conflicts. The session was led by Sheherazade Jafari (Assistant Director, Religion and Conflict Resolution) and Marcella Runell (Strategic Advisor, Education and Training), both of the Tanenbaum Center.

Below are one participant's notes on this workshop:

·         Session started around 9:15 AM.

·         Presenters introduced themselves.

·         Started with the name game. Explaining the meaning of our name. Very interesting how our names seem to fit the individual and connect with others of the same name.

·         Jafari briefly talked about the Tanenbaum Center. The Tanenbaum Center is geared toward peaceful resolution and interreligious understanding. Educating oneself about other people.

Education:

·         Runell spoke about education and the need to train educators.

·         Curricula: teach practical skills

·         Support: building blocks for democracy

Coexist:

 ·         Teaches concrete conflict resolution, skills mediation, activities, academically rigorous case study of two Nigerian peacemakers

Peacemaker:

·         Iman Muhammad Ashafa & Pastor James Wuye

·         Many conflicts between them due to religious belief where there is 50% Muslim.

·         Consider the path to peacemaking, circle of responsibility: global, school, family, friends, local neighborhood

 Five Approaches to Conflict:

·         Competition, Compromise, Avoidance, Accommodation, Collaboration

Cause of Conflict:

·         Anger, feeling out of control???

 ·         Presently there are 4,684 different religions.

·         Jafari's new book-"Peacemakers in Action"—excellent for individuals involved in peace

Religion:

·         Can be a positive issue in making peace.

·         Peacemakers network- many coming together for Peace including the Dalai Lama

·         She said they train & work with peacemakers.

·         Peace Making Criteria: religion motivation, working in an armed conflict area, media publicity, in depth case study, practical skills

 Reverend Bill Lowrey-bringing peace or understanding in Sudan amongst the tribes. And that is getting to know one another in Dialogue.   

 ·         End-Wrap up.

 Some questions were asked.

            Criteria for the awards given by Tanenbaum Center