Konference: Religion i udviklingssamarbejde og international politik – europæiske og danske perspektiver

In the post-9/11 world order, there is little doubt that religion is a key factor in development cooperation and foreign policy. Religious actors, norms and practices play an important role in relation to e.g. counter-terrorism and prevention of violent extremism; conflict resolution and peace-building; and protection of religious minorities. But how can and should policy makers engage with religion in these areas? Discussing the role(s) of religion in foreign policy today, this conference presents different modes of engagement, opening up for a discussion of the opportunities and challenges that such engagement entails and providing inspiration for Danish foreign policy in this area. 

The conference is organised in cooperation between the Danish Interparliamentary Network on Freedom of Religion or Belief, the Danish Mission Council and the Danish Institute for Human Rights. 

Programme 

13:00: Welcome 

Daniel Toft Jacobsen, Member of Parliament, Socialdemokratiet, and chairperson of the Danish Interparliamentary Network on Freedom of Religion or Belief 

13:10: Introductory remarks 

Ulla Tørnæs, Minister for Development Cooperation 

13:20: Engaging religion in US foreign policy: The opportunities and challenges 

Peter Mandaville, Professor of international affairs, George Mason University, and former advisor to the US State Department 

13:50: Religion: A touchstone of European external identity and divisions 

Francois Foret, Professor of political science, Université Libre de Bruxelles 

14:10: Religion and foreign policy: The Norwegian experience 

Aud Marit Wiig, Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Norwegian Foreign Ministry 

14:30: The international struggle for freedom of religion and belief 

Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin, Ambassador, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs 

14:50: Questions and comments 

15:10: Coffee break 

15:25: Debate: Danish perspectives on religion in development cooperation and foreign policy 

Charlotte Flindt Petersen, Director, Udenrigspolitisk Selskab
Jonas Adelin Jørgensen, Generalsekretær, Dansk Missionsråd
Kirsten Auken, Programme Director, Danmission
Mette Gjerskov, Member of Parliament, Socialdemokratiet
Ole Wæver, Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen Ulla Sandbæk, Member of Parliament, Alternativet 

16:20: Concluding remarks 

Marie Juul Petersen, Danish Institute for Human Rights 

Participation in the conference is free of charge, but registration is necessary. Please send a mail Filip Buff Pedersen, Coordinator for the Danish Interparliamentary Network on Freedom of Religion or Belief, [email protected] 

Keynote speakers 

Peter Mandaville is Professor of International Affairs in the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University. From 2015-2016 he served as Senior Adviser in the Secretary of State’s Office of Religion & Global Affairs at the U.S. Department of State where he led that office’s work on ISIS and sectarian conflict in the Middle East. From 2011-12 he served as a member of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Policy Planning Staff where he helped to shape the U.S. response to the Arab Uprisings. He is the author of the books Islam & Politics (2007) and Transnational Muslim Politics: Reimagining the Umma (2001) as well as many journal articles, book chapters, and op-ed/commentary pieces in outlets such as the International Herald Tribune, The Guardian, The Atlantic and Foreign Policy. 

Aud Marit Wiig is the Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief in the Norwegian Foreign Ministry. She has worked in the Foreign Ministry since 1983, from 1996 to 2001 at the Norwegian Embassy in Pretoria, and from 2001-2004 as Department Director in the Ministry. From 2004 to 2007, she was executive director of the African Development Bank in Abidjan. She was ambassador in Islamabad from 2007 to 2008, and deputy under-secretary of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2008 to 2012. Most recently, she was ambassador in Brazil from 2012 to 2017. 

Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin is a Danish ambassador and professional foreign service officer with extensive knowledge and experience from Asia, including the Afghanistan/Pakistan region as well as working with terrorism, fragile and failed states. From 2013 to 2017 he was the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for Afghanistan and Pakistan. In 2016 he facilitated the first significant Afghan peace accord in over 20 years with the Hezb-e-Islami group. In 2009 Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin received Japan’s Cool Biz award for his efforts to publicly promote energy savings. Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin has received the highest civilian orders of Japan (Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, 1.st class) and Afghanistan (Ghazi Wazir Mohammad Akbar Khan Medal) for his exceptional efforts in those two countries.