The Role of Religious Actors in Fostering Hope in Violent Times
Institutional Affiliation
University of Birmingham
Start Date
16-1-2025 10:45 AM
End Date
16-1-2025 12:15 PM
Proposal Type
Presentation
Proposal Format
Virtual
Proposal Description
We are witnessing an unprecedented spike in protracted conflicts around the world. In 2024, the conflicts between Palestine-Israel, Russia-Ukraine, Sudan have occupied the headlines. The ripple effect of the conflict in Palestine-Israel has also led to wider escalations across the Middle East region in Lebanon, Syria, Iran and Yemen. There are also other conflict hot spots which have been less on the radar such as Kashmir which still continue to linger in the background. This paper will explore the role and impact that Religious Actors have in fostering hope in violent times. It will also examine and critique what are termed as "Religious Actors" in the theological or "Religio-Political" Actors and geopolitical space interspersed in the matrix of violence and warfare. Finally, the paper will touch on what role can religious actors play in instilling hope in the virtues of our common shared humanity and fostering peace.
The Role of Religious Actors in Fostering Hope in Violent Times
We are witnessing an unprecedented spike in protracted conflicts around the world. In 2024, the conflicts between Palestine-Israel, Russia-Ukraine, Sudan have occupied the headlines. The ripple effect of the conflict in Palestine-Israel has also led to wider escalations across the Middle East region in Lebanon, Syria, Iran and Yemen. There are also other conflict hot spots which have been less on the radar such as Kashmir which still continue to linger in the background. This paper will explore the role and impact that Religious Actors have in fostering hope in violent times. It will also examine and critique what are termed as "Religious Actors" in the theological or "Religio-Political" Actors and geopolitical space interspersed in the matrix of violence and warfare. Finally, the paper will touch on what role can religious actors play in instilling hope in the virtues of our common shared humanity and fostering peace.