Religious Institutions and Peacebuilding in Ethiopia

On December 4, the Africa Program hosted a conversation exploring the various and often complicated roles religious institutions play in peacebuilding. Drawing on case studies from northern Ethiopia, the event brought together experts to examine religion as both a catalyst for conflict and for peace.

Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding scholar Yirga Damtie deliberated the local contexts and agency for peacebuilding in Ethiopia. Based on case studies from first-hand research in Northern Ethiopia, he critically examine the role of religious institutions in peacebuilding. Yirga concluded his reflections by discussing 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.

Terrence Lyons, Professor of Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, discussed the different roles taken on by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church vs. those of other actors in northern Ethiopia. Bringing local and broader perspectives together, the panelists then turned to a Q and A to answer questions from the audience.