19-20.08.2008.

THE ROLE OF CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES IN SUSTAINABLE PEACE BUILDING IN SOUTH-EAST EUROPE

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Since year 2008 was established by the Decision (№ 1983/2006/EC) of the European Parliament and the Council for The European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, CIVIS understood the importance of organizing an event – round table with the topic related to inter-religious dialogue inseparable from intercultural dialogue

PARTICIPANTS

Distinguished representatives of churches and religious communities from the region of South-East Europe and experts in issues concerning religion and society.

IMPORTANCE OF THE MEETING

onversation about this problem is of great importance because of the different and opposing opinions present today concerning the role of the church in social occurrences in transition countries in Southeastern Europe. On one hand, there is an opinion that religion has a dominant social role, that churches and religious communities slow down democratic processes, hinder integration and modernization of the region, and that there is an emphasized closeness to nationalist and conservative political subjects. Some accuse churches and religious communities for interfering into politics too much. On the other hand, a number of researches show that churches and religious communities are the most popular social institutions. This region is characterized by the identification of the religious and national. It is not rare that one may speak of occurrences of religious fundamentalism and its ties with nationalism in the region.

However, there are opinions that states and societies in the Southeastern European area are secular and that the role of religion in political life is minor.

It is interesting that there are no serious empirical researches which treat the problem of the role of religion in social processes, but only impressionist positions. The consequence of it is the presence of an irregular and one-sided view of the socio-political processes, which in turn results in wrong political decisions which have serious tragic outcomes. Therefore, this problem needs attention because without its full understanding there will be no good political solutions.

THE GOALS OF THE MEETING IN STRASBOURG

1. The representatives of churches and religious communities from the region have the opportunity to present their political attitudes about the region and future plans in direct contact with experts from the Council of Europe and communicate the results to their churches and religious communities.
2.  The representatives of churches and religious communities from the Southeastern European region would present their views of possible solutions to crises in the region with special reference to the problem of Kosovo and the real role of religion in social life.
3. The representatives of churches and religious communities would put forward concrete suggestion how to preserve the Christian cultural and sacral heritage in Kosovo.
4. The representatives of churches and religious communities would put forward concrete suggestions how churches and religious communities could contribute to establishing trust and reconciliation among nations and ethnics communities in the region and how to preserve the fragile peace.
5. The representatives of churches and religious communities would put forward their views of how much and in what way could churches and religious communities contribute to democratization and European integration.
6. The representatives of churches and religious communities would provide information and give possible suggestions of the steps needed to be taken for people in the region to relinquish their numerous fears of Europe caused by tragic events from history. This is especially important because without removing those fears and ideological prejudices fast and successful integration of the countries of the region is not possible

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