Written by Don Byrd
Writing for the Washington Post, Susan Hayward, a senior program officer in the Religion and Peacemaking Center of Innovation at the U.S. Institute of Peace, offers strategic advice to the new Office of Faith-Based Initiatives at the U.S. State Department. The Office is tasked with enhancing diplomatic relations through partnerships and dialogue with religious communities around the world. She emphasizes the importance of an overtly inclusive process that goes beyond mere talk.
Engagement of the religious sector has tended to gravitate toward large conferences or interfaith dialogue sessions. Too often, this interfaith “dialogue” is a series of monologues offered by preachers from different faiths that lift up positive religious narratives but do little to tackle complex issues. While these events carry important symbolic importance, too many can actually create a backlash, as observers become wary of religious leaders who make speeches at splashy events that belie their real attitudes and commitments.
Dialogue should be the means for developing strategic action that addresses real issues of common concern and builds trust all around. At the root of conflict, after all, are issues requiring structural transformation. Engagement of the religious sector must get to these deeper issues to accomplish lasting constructive change.
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