"The Power of Religion in Peace Building -
How to stop violence and build inclusive and resilient societies
from an interreligious dialogue perspective?”

Kenya, 24.-31.10.2018

The stability of Kenya is of fundamental importance for the neighbouring countries and for Europe, not only because of the conflicts in South Sudan and the terrorism in Somalia. With regard to SDG 16 and the various causes of flight and migration, the peaceful development of Kenya is a central matter in European policy and cooperation.In Kenya, there are more than 40 ethnic groups having their own traditions. Urban and rural life is strongly connected with each other. This makes the “changing hybrid society” an economic factor for tourism and cultural exchange.Kenya’s stark contrasts are not just a colonial heritage. Analysts and citizens alike report on abuses of power by utilizing ethnic conflicts so as to access resources or increase social influence.At the same time, Kenya is an example of interfaith cooperation that developed naturally, as the country is both influenced by Christians and, in the coastal area more strongly, by Muslims.The EDP is organized together with Kenyan partners of the AGIAMONDO e.V. (until 2019: Association for Development Cooperation - AGEH) within the context of the Civil Peace Service. It enables experiences and insights regarding:

• the peacemaking power of inter-religious dialogue of Christians and Muslims, for example to prevent violent extremism
• the positive role that faith-based organizations play in development and peace policy
• the prevailing conditions of democratic development at risk in an important partner country.

This cooperation with the GIZ Programme on “Values, Religion and Development” is being supported by the Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).