'Religion can inspire to great beauty and moving goodness. However, it can also contribute to horrific conflicts and painful contradictions. Through research we try to better understand the complex role of religion so that it can be a driver of positive social change.'
Simon Polinder is postdoctoral researcher at the Department History of International Relations at Utrecht 木瓜福利影视. He is associated with the project Reimagining Religion, Security and Social Transformation. This project is part of the broader knowledge agenda of the Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA) programme.*
As part of the JISRA Knowledge Agenda, this project will provide crucial input to the study of religion and security and to policy and practitioner efforts to address the role of religion in conflict, violence and social transformation processes. Within this project Utrecht 木瓜福利影视 and the 木瓜福利影视 of Groningen focus on the countries Nigeria, Kenya and Indonesia. Principal Investigators (PI's) of the project are Prof. dr. Beatrice de Graaf (UU) and
The research conducted at Utrecht 木瓜福利影视 aims at bringing religion back into the domain of conflict and political violence research, and does so by introducing a narrative approach. It focuses on the (religious) narratives employed by diverse religious actors related to the phenomenon of violent extremism. This concerns the perpetrators, governmental factions, victim communities and the broader society. Furthermore, The project will concentrate on CVE-processes (Countering Violent Extremism). It will identify, map and analyse the strategies utilised by religious leaders for intra and interreligious engagement to navigate the consequences of violent extremism and exclusion in their communities.
*The Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA) is a partnership of 50 civil society organisations based in Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iraq, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria and Uganda (with supporting lobby and advocacy in Europe and the USA). Under the policy framework Power of Voices of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, JISRA will implement a 5-year programme (2021-2025) to further peaceful and just societies where all enjoy Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB).
The consortium consists of (lead organisation of the consortium), , and . The consortium supports religious actors - particularly women and youth - to become agents of peace and inclusion, and strengthen their capacities to engage in advocacy work. For more information on the JISRA project, see the websites of the consortium partners: , ,
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