Working on Religious Conflict

About The Program

Around the world, there are communities that are destroyed by ethnic and religious violence. Hartford Seminary, one of the country's oldest theological institutions for the study of Islam and Christian-Muslim relations, brings together global leaders from interreligious conflict areas to enhance their skills in leadership development, interfaith dialogue and conflict resolution. We provide additional programming to support participants of this project.

Hartford Seminary began the International Peacemakers Program (IPP) in 2005. Student leaders receive scholarships to attend Hartford Seminary for one year of study to increase a variety of skills to help them in their respective interfaith work. Between three and five IPP students receive a scholarship each academic year.

Students participate in courses such as Dialogue in a World of Difference; Religion, Conflict and Peacemaking; and Building Abrahamic Partnerships. At the end of the program, students receive a Graduate Certificate in Interfaith Dialogue or in Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations. In addition to their academic studies, IPP students are embedded in a local congregation where they experience American religious culture firsthand, and share their own experiences of interreligious conflict with their local congregations.

In September 2008, Intersections joined the IPP program to increase the capacity of IPP students. During the fall semester, Intersections hosts a presentation skills workshop; organizes an interfaith dinner and dialogue in New York City; facilitates high level meetings with local NGOs; and organizes a private tour of the United Nations. During the spring semester, Intersections facilitates speaking engagements for IPP students in New York and assists students in writing their own interfaith biographies.

Throughout the year, students receive writing support as needed from Intersections staff and publish articles on our blog and other media platforms. At the end of the year, participants return home with enriched leadership capacity for promoting interreligious conflict resolution in their respective countries. To date, IPP students have come from a number of countries including Indonesia, Iran, Lebanon, Nigeria and Pakistan.

IPP Network

Since 2005, eighteen men and women have been awarded IPP scholarships. Once students complete the program, they join an international network of interfaith leaders, and canshare ideas and form future collaborations through the IPP Network. Check back soon for information about past program participants.

Applications

IPP applications are accepted from August through March of the preceding academic year. All applications to the IPP program must have a history of leadership in their local community; have a bachelor’s degree from an internationally recognized college or university; and live in a country affected by interreligious conflict.

For more information about the IPP program or to receive an application, please contact Sara Reef, Director of Cross Cultural Initiatives at Intersections.