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Guest Commentary: Women, Faith and Diplomacy

Annette Schavan, Deutsche Welle November 8, 2020

International networks and organizations are gaining in importance. They guard against the illusion that the solution of the great future problems is more possible in national contexts than in a global world. The present time of the pandemic teaches us that when everyone is affected, everyone remains dependent on each other. It will be no different for the climate and its development. Peace and peacemaking also need the will of everyone, beyond national and cultural borders and interests.

For 50 years, the international organization Religions for Peace has been working on a basis of mutual trust in religions. The aim is a common peace work and ethical standards that claim general validity and can thus become common property in the global world.

No peace without peace among religions

There are similar efforts at the World Parliament of Religions, which met in Chicago in 1993 and at that time passed a declaration on the global ethic. It contains the central sentences for then and now: “No peace among nations without peace among religions. No peace among religions without dialogue between religions. No dialogue between religions without common ethical values and standards.”

In Germany, the Tübingen theologian Hans Küng worked for many years on the development of a global ethic and also founded a foundation to continue his concerns. His efforts were only marginally noticed by the churches, but were never actively taken up.

In 2019 the 10th World Assembly of Religions for Peace took place in Lindau on Lake Constance , this month the international assembly on women, faith and diplomacy will take place there – unfortunately only as a virtual event in view of the pandemic.

New emerging interest in religions

Both events can be assessed as an interest of the actors in Europe and a newly emerging interest in the potential of religions in Europe. We remember that there has been an established ignorance about religions in large parts of Europe in the past few decades. It was often heard that they were irrelevant to public life in secular times and as a source of ethics and ethics.

It turned out differently. Religions are present on the international political stage. Ignoring them weakens Europe. It is therefore a positive development when the efforts of Religions for Peace become more visible in Europe and Europeans begin to think about the possible role of religions in the central issues of the future.

A feminine understanding of diplomacy

During these days women of faith and their work for peace are at the center of the deliberations in Lindau. Their ways of assuming leadership responsibility, shaping leadership cultures and living a new understanding of diplomacy are discussed. Particular attention will be paid to the necessary transformation processes, to analyzes and new knowledge, to new connections and relationships that can be a basis for a new diplomacy model and for creative peace processes.

During this time of the pandemic, many hope that we will not immediately forget our experiences. That we learn in and from the crisis and so opportunities arise – also opportunities for new paths in the coexistence of religions and for an effective commitment of religions for peace. Opportunities for respect for people, their dignity and solidarity, without which there will be no viable solutions to the great problems of humanity.

Annette Schavan has worked in politics and diplomacy for 25 years, for example as Federal Minister of Education (2005-2013) and as German Ambassador to the Holy See in the Vatican (2014-2018). Today she is, among other things, the chairwoman of the Ring for Peace Foundation Council .