Religious convictions are a principal source of values for nearly 85% of the global community. As such, these convictions can be a significant factor in promoting divisiveness and enmity—or in building the trust needed to overcome violent conflict. Because the influence of religious, ethnic and tribal identities is frequently stronger than that of governments, the challenge of addressing conflict and violent religious extremism (VRE) often exceeds the reach of traditional diplomatic or military intervention. ICRD confronts this reality by employing a unique range of capabilities that effectively engage the belief systems and core values found at the heart of identity–based conflicts. In this effort, ICRD maximizes programmatic impact by integrating its community-based approach with other peacebuilding efforts, particularly those of governments. OUR MISSION IS To Bridge Religious Considerations with the Practice of International Politics in Support of Peacebuilding
OUR VISION IS A World in which Spiritual Reconciliation Advances Peace and Coexistence between Adversaries
By building relationships of trust, ICRD steers religious convictions away from fomenting conflict and toward strengthening communities in their ability to resolve current and future challenges to peace. ICRD capitalizes on the following unique attributes of religious actors and institutions, which allow them to build trust and overcome differences:
• Critical insights into community experiences and perspectives, thereby equipping them to negotiate relationships between individuals and institutions at all levels;
• A perceived neutrality with respect to political, social, and economic agendas, thus enabling them to serve as trusted mediators;
• The authority to interpret doctrinal values through which believers can be inspired to strengthen community by transcending ego, greed, envy, hatred and other motives that feed conflict;
• An ability to strengthen the peacemaking capacity of policy¬‐makers and analysts by demonstrating the value of applying religious principles to conflict mitigation.
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