Purpose:

The Group aims to attract scholars and practitioners working on different dimensions of religion and security across the world, to encourage dialogue and a sharing of knowledge and ideas and further research. In so doing, it seeks to develop a credible and separate identity for the subject of International Relations, Security and Religion in order to provoke interest and raise awareness and understanding amongst academics and policy makers of the relationship between religions and international relations and security.

2007 sees the start of a new BISA ‘Working Group on International Relations, Security and Religion’. Its launch reflects the growing interest in religion as a component of international relations. We hope to support and promote research in this field and become an effective resource for the academic community, policy makers, the armed forces, NGOs and faith based groups engaged in multi-faith dialogue.

Context:

Much Cold War and early post-Cold War security analysis omitted religion as a component of international relations and security. More recently, religion has been highlighted as a negative driver in human, national, state and inter-state behaviour following 9/11 and Al Qaida’s Holy Jihad against ‘Crusaders and the US led ‘war on terror’. Yet religion has also acted as an inspiration for peace and reconciliation. Today, there is a growing recognition of the relationship of religion to a range of international relations and security topics including political culture and civilization; human security and development; regional conflict studies; and terrorism. An opportunity exists to bring together scholars working on aspects of religion in these and other areas, with benefit to the wider international relations community.

Aims:

The Working Group on International Relations, Security and Religion aims to attract scholars and practitioners working on different dimensions of religion and security across the world, to encourage dialogue and a sharing of knowledge and ideas and further research. In so doing, it seeks to develop a credible and separate identity for the subject of International Relations, Security and Religion in order to provoke interest and raise awareness and understanding amongst academics and policy makers of the relationship between religion and international relations and security.

Activities:

The International Relations, Security and Religion Working Group will arrange panels and meetings at BISA conferences and host workshops and seminars each year, bringing together scholars and practitioners from a variety of different disciplines. The Working Group’s seminars and workshops will involve the study of individual religions, their relationship one to another, as well as religion as a whole, embracing all aspects of international relations and security where religion might be a component.

Membership:

The Working Group is keen to attract members from diverse disciplines within the field of international relations, security and religion. Hence, we encourage participation from established academics, postdoctoral and postgraduate students, and those responsible for the formulation and implementation of policy, whether political or military at national, regional and international level. In addition we welcome representation from faith organizations, NGOs and journalists working in areas where religion and security interact.

If you would like to become a member of the group and receive regular updates about our work, please contact the Convenors (below).

Annual Reports:

• Annual Report 2008

Convenors:

Rosemary Durward This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Dr Sara Silvestri This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 

Website:

The working group has a website here.