Understanding of the role of religion and culture in conflict and peace-building is crucial to building just and harmonious communities and societies across the world. This is particularly relevant in South Asia today; where religious actors and institutions are playing vital and complex roles in conflict transformation, civic awareness, state transitional processes and reconciliation initiatives.

The International Conference on ‘Religion and Culture in Conflict and Peace’ offers opportunities for peace-building scholars and practitioners from all over the world to collaborate in exploring some of the most complex and pressing challenges we face today. The conference aims to go beyond reporting on ‘religious peace-building activities’, and examine critically the role of religion in conflict and peace-building, and the contribution of religious leaders and organisations to societal harmony. It is hoped that the conference will propose new avenues for research and practice.

The conference aims to go beyond reporting on ‘religious peace-building activities’, and examine critically the role of religion in conflict and peace-building, and the contribution of religious leaders and organisations to societal harmony. It is hoped that the conference will propose new avenues for research and practice.

The International Conference on ‘Religion and Culture in Conflict and Peace’ offers opportunities for peace-building scholars and practitioners from all over the world to collaborate in exploring some of the most complex and pressing challenges we face today.

The conference will bring peace-building scholars and practitioners from all over the world to Lumbini, The birthplace of Gautam Buddha” which recognise Lumbini as a centre for excellence in exchanging global peace.

The major thematic areas for the papers presentation will be on:
•The role of religion in building just and sustainable peace in South Asian countries
•The role of the UN, governments and CSOs in empowering women’s leadership in post-conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
•The consequences and implications of the rise of religious nationalism for peacebuilding.
•The role of Reconciliation in the future of Nepal.
•Buddhist perspectives on the ethics of violence, non-violence and peace-building
•Just peace vs Liberal Peace? New theoretical insights and developments in religious peacebuilding

Participants are invited to submit abstracts of 250-300 words (in Word or Open Office format). Proposals should also include name, institutional affiliation (if relevant), a short biography (no more than 100 words) and an email address and phone number. Proposals for panel discussions (organised by the participants) will be considered. We hope to publish a selection of papers.

Presentations will be in English, and each speaker will be allocated 20 minutes with up to 10 minutes for discussion. During the conference there will also be sessions allocated specifically for open discussions on themed topics and networking.

Please submit papers to: Rebecca.Bellamy@winchester.ac.uk by the 8th of February 2019

Presenters whose papers are accepted will have bursaries supporting their accommodation and subsistence, but will need to organise and pay for their travel. There is no conference fee.