Religion and Foreign Policy
Critical debates are underway about the new public policy challenges that are emerging as a result of the resurgence of religion in international relations. These debates and the questions that drive them inspired the organization of an international conference and course at McGill University, on “Religion and Foreign Policy: The Challenge of Religious Pluralism.”
This project is an initiative of the Birks Forum on the World’s Religions and Public Life in McGill’s Faculty of Religious Studies, in partnership with the Tony Blair Faith Foundation (TBFF) “Faith and Globalization Initiative”. The goal of this project is to bring together scholars and practitioners to explore diverse religious, regional, and political approaches to the place of religion in foreign policy, with particular emphasis on issues related to religious freedom and the rights of religious minorities in international relations. The project draws together experts and participants from very diverse settings (Africa, the Middle East, South East Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America).
To raise awareness of the advances being made in understanding the global geopolitics of religion, OpenCanada.org will be hosting contributions from participants in the global religion and foreign policy conversation. Below, as the project progresses, you will find articles, interviews, and data visualizations relating to religious pluralism.
SECTIONS
Religion as a Theme in Foreign Policy
“Religious freedom has a particularly well-established place in the family of human rights. It is widely regarded as one of the foundational rights in the development of the rights tradition.” – Daniel Cere
Religious Freedom
“The history of colonialism and imperialism does not provide comforting precedents. A nation that has tortured and castrated Kenyan detainees might blush at lecturing Kenyans on human rights today. But, does that disqualify any moral stance indefinitely?” – Ian Linden
- Religion & Diplomacy
- Religious Freedom: The Diplomatic Dimension
- Bringing Religion into Foreign Policy
- What’s Wrong With Promoting Religious Freedom?
- The Messy State of Religious Freedom
Religion in Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations
“When ‘new’ nation-states began to emerge from colonial domination, leaders of nationalist movements faced the problem of shaping a nationalist message that was more than just anti-colonialism and which would appeal to at least the majority of people living within the territory of the state for which independence was to be claimed or asserted. In many cases, religion proved to be the common denominator.” – Charles Keyes