The role of religious groups in conflict and conflict resolution is at the centre of lively
academic debate on the definition of religion, and of conflict, and on the link between
intra- and inter-faith conflicts. Understanding these issues is key, as the number of
people professing a religion in the world is set to increase in the next 40 years and the
population share of the world's different religions will be affected by major
demographic changes. Studies show that, in recent decades, the number of civil wars
with a religious dimension has increased significantly. Nevertheless, many religious
organisations are active in the field of conflict resolution and reconciliation, in
Mozambique, Burma, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka and at a more global level.
International organisations, states and think-tanks are giving increasing consideration
to the religious dimension of conflict resolution. In 2016, the European Union
appointed its first ever Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or
belief outside the European Union. The European Parliament is meanwhile attentive
to freedom of religion and belief in its resolutions. In recent years, the subject of
engagement with local religious leaders has grown in importance for think-tanks,
universities and governmental agencies in the USA.