ABSTRACT
Effective conflict resolution is too complex an endeavor to forego the contributions of any relevant actor, religious or not. It is in the joint collaboration of academics, policy makers, and practitioners, religious and secular, that the potential for change is astounding. Effective conflict resolution depends on both religious and secular actors. For secular actors in government, business, media, and higher education, this calls for strengthening religious literacy. Besides the necessity for bridging the religious-secular divide, there is a need for more and deeper cooperation between different faith traditions in conflict resolution. Effective conflict resolution depends on the collaborative efforts of all relevant actors-academics, policy makers, and practitioners. Despite the increasing number of programs focusing on religious peacebuilding, there is a knowledge gap in the area of evaluation. Evaluation of religious peacebuilding generates better understanding of what is effective religious peacebuilding and supports evidence-based policy and practice.
