The Theme of our Congress is Faith in Reconciliation. We see conflict around the world and we see religious freedom threatened by those who are determined that their particular view must prevail. And yet, who will speak out for the oppressed? and who can be trusted to act impartially to reconcile our differences?

Many members of the IARF and our partners have been and still are involved in conflict resolution and reconciliation efforts around the globe – in Northern Ireland, Germany & Poland, Israel & Palestine, India, Korea & Japan, South Africa and elsewhere.

In the Congress, we hope to explore the ways in which religion can inspire and fuel efforts to bring about healing, reconciliation and just peace through stories, learning, art, interfaith worship and personal relationships.

We will be discussing, amongst other things:

• What role can religious leaders and people of faith play in reconciliation?
• What do our traditions say about reconciliation? What do we struggle with and need to reform?
• What place is there for religious narratives in modern societies and institutions, and how should we express our beliefs and sentiments in a way that doesn’t antagonize but brings us closer to our fellow human beings who do not share our sensibilities and our spiritual way of looking at the world?
• What lessons from interfaith dialogue can be translated into the broader social and political plane?

Faith in Reconciliation can be understood in two ways: as the question “What role has faith or religion played in reconciliation and conflict resolution and what role can it play in the future?” – as well as a statement that calls for personal reflection – “do I, does my community, have faith in reconciliation, does our religion help us to retain hope that it is attainable in our societies and regions”?

Reconciliation as a concept, a process, a principle or value can be viewed from different perspectives – such as social studies, philosophy, psychology and theology – as well as an experience, an existential reality that is a part of every human life.

We hope to address this multifaceted nature of reconciliation – and, by necessity, conflict – and provide an opportunity to gain both knowledge – through lectures, talks and workshops – as well as experience – through exchanging stories and listening to each other, contemplating art and worshipping together.