Peace and reconciliation

Churches are agents of peace and reconciliation in countries scarred by conflict.

Sometimes the Church is the only source of support and service for victims of conflict. We are in communities before other agencies arrive or after they are forced to leave because of lack of security.

And the Church has experience of working on conflict prevention as well as on reconciliation processes, building societies after conflict.

In South Sudan, churches have been instrumental in working for peace.

In Korea, the Church has played a major role in bringing together families and communities in a fractured society.

In the Solomon Islands, the outstanding work of the Melanesian Brothers brought together groups torn by ethnic divisions.

And in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Church has worked with others to support victims of gender-based violence during the conflict – and to protect women from violence in the future by transforming gender norms and working to end impunity.

We have a special focus on lifting up women’s role in peace building and encouraging young peace builders, for example through the universal game of football.