Leaders from conflicted areas participate in International Peacemakers Program

For six years, Hartford Seminary, one of the oldest U.S. theological institutions for the study of Islam and Christian-Muslim relations, has brought leaders from conflicted areas around the world to study interfaith dialogue, conflict resolution and comparative theological studies in the International Peacemakers Program (IPP). The interfaith students come from a variety of faith traditions--including Methodist, Anglican, Lutheran, Eastern Orthodox, Pentecostal, Protestant Christian, Islam, and Buddhism--and from countries throughout the world, including Nigeria, Ghana, Indonesia, Pakistan, Burma, Bulgaria, Iran and Thailand.

Intersections International has worked with Hartford Seminary for the past three years to expand opportunities and provide additional resources for the students, including professional workshops, interfaith dialogues, convening high-level speakers, and helping students build relationships with the NGO community and key organizations at the United Nations.

Intersections' IPP project team includes Sara Reef, director of cross-cultural initiatives; Robert Chase, Intersections founding director; and Joseph Ward III, communications director. The 2010-2011 International Peacemakers Program participants include Marcus Ibrahim, Bishop of the Anglican Church of Nigeria; Daranee Waraseth, an Assistant Pastor for 10 years at Wattana Church-the fifth Presbyterian Church in Bangkok, Thailand; and Limantina Sihaloho, an interfaith leader from Indonesia, former Fellow for the Interfaith Service House of the Council for the Parliament of the World Religions, and visiting scholar at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago.

On Sept. 30, the students came to New York City to participate in day of workshops lead by Intersections IPP project team. That evening, the group was joined by other local interfaith leaders for dinner and an interfaith dialogue at Marble Collegiate Church. On Friday, Oct. 1, Intersections facilitated a tour of the United Nations, where students meet with leaders of UN organizations.

The students will join Intersections throughout the academic year for additional programs, and will conduct a presentation to a New York audience on topics of interfaith dialogue and conflict resolution in Spring 2011. To learn more about this project, email info@intersectionsinternational.org.