Summary

Operationalizing Multi-Religious Collaboration to Address the Challenges of Increasing Pluralism in the United States

A project of Religions for Peace - USA, funded by a generous grant from the Rockefeller Foundation.

Challenge

One of the major challenges facing US society is its reluctance to come to terms with its growing ethnic, cultural, racial and religious diversity. The problems caused by this reluctance include ethnic stereotyping, cultural exclusivity, racial prejudice, and religious intolerance, which are often accompanied by civil unrest and even acts of extreme violence. As suggested by the 2000 census figures, such problems are likely to increase in the coming years. This project will enable the multi-religious community to serve the broader public as all sectors of society struggle together to come to terms with our rapidly changing national identity.

Methodology

From 2001-2003, RFP - USA will held 12 symposia in cities across the country in order to discuss concrete issues confronting religious, racial, cultural and ethnic groups. Giving general definition to the series will be the challenges and opportunities posed by increasing diversity. The particular theme of each symposium will be determined by local history and current events, as suggested to RFP - USA by local community leaders.

Presenters will be of national and local renown, and will be drawn from a diversity of backgrounds to guarantee a broad range of perspectives and to ensure a genuine conversation between religious and other civil society actors on these critical issues.

Goals

  • The strengthened capacity of the multi-religious community in the US to respond effectively to social crises.
  • A national task force, composed of scholars, religious and civic leaders, educators, and other professionals, to engage local communities on diversity issues.
  • The identification of common values, common language, and best practices to be available to all sectors of society when dealing with diversity issues.
  • The suggestion of programs on diversity acceptance to be implemented by multi-religious communities at the local level.