By Julie Bell
June 4, 2015
WINNIPEG, Man. — In regions of ongoing conflict and tension, supporting peace and promoting dialogue between religious communities continues to be a fundamental mission for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC).
A CA$500,000 (US$402,150) grant from the Canadian government will allow MCC to enhance its peacebuilding work in Iraq, Lebanon and Syria.
In keeping with MCC’s approach to all of its projects, MCC will work with partner organizations in each country to undertake peacebuilding activities.
“I believe our peacebuilding efforts are most significant when they are actively working with networks that are already in place,” said Krista Johnson Weicksel, MCC’s peacebuilding coordinator. “This is the way to prevent violence from erupting.”
In Iraq, where the Ministry of Education has identified the prevention of sectarian violence as a priority, MCC will work with partner Iraqi al-Amal Association to change the civics curriculum in schools in Najaf, Baghdad and Erbil governorates. Nine hundred students and 250 teachers will receive training in cross-cultural communication, with emphasis on active citizenship and acceptance of other cultures and religious values. The Ministry of Education said if this project is successful, the curriculum could be used throughout the country.
In Syria, MCC will continue its long-term partnership with Forum for Development, Culture and Dialogue. Young activists and community leaders will receive training on citizenship and inter-religious dialogue, and some will use provided funding for initiatives within their own communities. Up to eight local projects could take place in Homs, Damascus, Aleppo, Tartous and Latakia governorates.
In Lebanon, where tensions between religious groups are growing, a series of workshops will develop strategies on mitigating and resolving inter-religious conflict. One hundred teachers and community leaders in Mount Lebanon and North governorates will participate. The strategies will be used at a local level to assist collaboration between groups. MCC will work alongside its partner, Permanent Peace Movement.
This peacebuilding work across the region culminates with a conference in Beirut, where participants from projects in the three countries will gather.
“They will come together to share stories, resources and curricula with one another and with religious leaders,” said Johnson Weicksel. “This will all lead to a statement about religious cooperation in the entire region.”
Johnson Weicksel calls MCC’s peacebuilding work an integral part of building healthy communities.
“War and conflict are costly,” she said. “By focusing on building peace and preventing violence, we are actually investing in a better, more sustainable future.”
The funding for these projects comes from the Office of Religious Freedom, which operates within the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada.
Peacebuilding and interfaith dialogue have long been a major focus for MCC in the Middle East. MCC’s permanent presence in the region began in the late 1940s.
MCC also has been involved in ongoing relief work in the Middle East, including providing humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced people. Through the Syria and Iraq crisis response, MCC has provided more than US$30 million in support. This response includes food, non-food items such as blankets and hygiene kits, shelter, education and trauma healing.
To learn more about our work in Syria and Iraq, or to make a donation, please visit mcc.org/syria-iraq.
Mennonite Central Committee: Relief, development and peace in the name of Christ - END -