Faith Actors Promoting Social Cohesion – Regional Faith Leaders Forum

Faith communities play a central role in pro- moting Social Cohesion in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa Region. Faith communi- ties have spiritual capital and comparative advantage that can drive the peace agenda forward. Religious actors are often known to support a myriad of localized peace pro- grams as well as significant engagement at the national level in advocacy and peace- building processes. Religious leaders are seen as capable of unifying people, connect- ing them, and bringing them together for peace-making activities.

It is through this realization that the Regional Faith Leaders Forum (RFLF) was initiated by Arigatou International in collaboration with the Norwegian Church Aid in 2020 to pro- mote Social Cohesion and Freedom of Reli- gion or Belief (FoRB) in the region. The RFLF is a platform of faith leaders from 7 countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda) in the Horn and East Africa region. It is part of the wider Regional Peace Programme (RPP).