Project Background on Women for Peace Against Fundamentalisms
The role of faith-based movements in an era of social, political and environmental upheaval
In the past decade violent religious conflicts have emerged around the world, often as a result of extreme social, political, economic and environmental issues impacting communities. In many cases religious fundamentalism and faith-based conflict has masked these underlying issues, creating seemingly insurmountable divides and quelling hope for the possibility of negotiated peace. At the same time as members of religious minorities are fleeing their countries to escape persecution, war and environmental disaster, countries that receive refugees are closing their borders. We have come to a historic moment wherein global faith leaders must start examining the pivotal role that faith-based movements and communities can play in the current context of these challenges, particularly in promoting and facilitating dialogue across communities.
Women: Bearing the brunt of conflict and leaders for change
The peace-building and alliance work of women at the grassroots is often overlooked. The contributions of this work can greatly support the need for dialogue and partnership which is becoming ever more crucial as unpredictable changes to the global economy and climate take place, impacting most those who live in regions with fractured security as a result of religious conflict. We need to build capacity to work together across barriers to prepare sustainable solutions to these profound challenges. Women for Peace Against Fundamentalisms seeks to provide a timely opportunity for such dialogue, with a focus on women leaders representing faith communities from around the world.
The Canadian Context
Canada as a historic world leader in peacekeeping seems to be an appropriate place for the launch of Women for Peace Against Fundamentalisms, with the inaugural meeting of the project’s Steering Committee in February 2012. This project builds on the tradition of Canada’s international role in curbing violence and restoring peace globally.
Goals of the February 2012 Women for Peace Against Fundamentalisms Steering Committee Meeting!
At the February 1st – 4th 2012 meeting the Steering Committee will:
• Identify needs and concerns for women in their region
• Identify links for transnational alliances
• Develop a proposal for some publishable and reader friendly material that introduces the group to the public and helps others to understand an integrated analysis and provides resources for women who are challenging war and religious extremism at the local level
• Plan two gatherings (2013 and 2015) that might be affiliated with other meetings, and
• Develop social networking/cyber sophistication that posts what different groups are doing.
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