Peacemakers in Action Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding

Conflict resolution expert Dr. Mohammed Abu-Nimer discusses the roots of the violence in Maluku, and Indonesian theologian Lailatul Fitriyah offers insights into Jacky Manuputty’s peacebuilding efforts. Transcript & more info at . Follow us . 

As violence between Christians and Muslims exploded in Indonesia’s Maluku Islands in 1999, Rev. Jacky Manuputty did all he could to defend his community — blessing Christian fighters, discussing battle strategies and even researching how to make a bomb. Then, after having his priorities challenged during a trip abroad, Jacky began to change and soon found himself at the forefront of the peacebuilding process that continues to help his country prosper. Transcript & more info at . Follow us . 

Rev. Susan Hayward, senior adviser for religion and inclusive societies at the United States Institute of Peace, provides a historical overview of the conflict in Sri Lanka, as well as a detailed analysis of Dishani Jayaweera’s work with the Centre for Peacebuilding and Reconciliation. Transcript & more info at . Follow us . 

When Dishani Jayaweera was just 14 years old, she witnessed the start of Sri Lanka’s decades-long civil war. At the same time, she saw people, including her parents, work across the divisions and sow seeds of peace. Such actions would serve as inspiration, as she began her own journey from justice-seeking youth to co-founder of the Centre for Peacebuilding and Reconciliation — a powerful civil society organization that helped bring an end to Sri Lanka’s devastating conflict and still builds peace today. Transcript & more info at . Follow us .

Hidden in the news, if reported on at all, are the brave religiously-motivated actors working to bring peace and reconciliation to their countries. Tanenbaum has spent years researching and upholding the work of these amazing individuals. In this episode, we give a brief history of our Peacemakers in Action award, Network, and introduce you to some of the Peacemakers you’ll hear from in this series. Follow us @TanenbaumCenter. Transcript & more info at tanenbaum.org.