Faith to Action Network participated in the conference “Religious Pluralism: Promoting Mutual Respect, Human Dignity, and Multi-faith Harmony in Africa,” which brought together academic institutions, faith bodies, legal practitioners, and interreligious organizations committed to advancing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), peacebuilding, and human dignity across the continent.
The conference was co-sponsored by a broad coalition of institutions, including the Africa University School of Law, The Catholic University of Zimbabwe, The University of Zimbabwe School of Law, The Zimbabwe Open University, the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, the Zimbabwe Inter-Religious Council, The International Center for Law and Religion Studies at Brigham Young University School of Law; alongside legal and professional associations.
Strengthening Dialogue at the Intersection of Faith, Law, and Peace
The convening provided a platform to reflect on the relationship between religion, law, and social cohesion in Africa, while promoting interreligious dialogue and identifying entry points for advocacy on issues such as the rights of religious minorities, peaceful coexistence, and inclusive workplaces.
For Faith to Action Network, the conference offered a valuable space to connect global academic perspectives with community-based peacebuilding practice, reinforcing the importance of faith actors as contributors to dialogue, tolerance, and human dignity.
Faith to Action Network Contribution and Engagement
As part of the programme, a Network representative, Prof Ezra Chitando, presented a paper titled “African Proverbs on Tolerance: Laying a Solid Foundation for Peaceful Co-existence,” highlighting indigenous knowledge and faith-informed values as foundations for peaceful, plural societies.
Participation also included interfaith exposure visits to the Anglican Cathedral, City Centre Mosque, and the Latter-day Saints New Temple in Harare, offering practical insights into lived experiences of religious diversity and cooperation.
Value for Faith to Action Network
Participation in the conference strengthened Faith to Action Network’s work by enhancing understanding of emerging trends and challenges related to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) and religious pluralism across diverse African contexts. The engagement also contributed to building and deepening relationships with academic institutions, interfaith bodies, and peacebuilding practitioners, expanding F2AN’s ecosystem of collaborators.
The conference provided opportunities to identify potential partners and contributors for future Faith to Action Network research, publications, and advocacy initiatives, while informing internal reflections on how the network can strengthen its strategic engagement with continental institutions, including the African Union.
Overall, the convening reaffirmed the value of platforms that connect research, policy, and grassroots practice, closely aligning with Faith to Action Network’s network-based approach to learning, collaboration, and collective action.
Looking ahead
Faith to Action Network remains committed to promoting religious pluralism, mutual respect, and human dignity through dialogue, evidence-informed advocacy, and strategic partnerships. Participation in forums such as this conference strengthens the network’s capacity to engage meaningfully in regional and continental conversations on faith, peace, and rights, while expanding opportunities for collaboration across Africa and beyond.
