Peace is not merely the absence of war and direct violence, but also a process of transforming social relations, inequalities, and structures that produce violence and exclusion. It is from this perspective that the course Gender, Religion and Peacebuilding began as part of the 2026/27 winter semester of FER School (Feminism and Religion). The course is taught by Prof. Dr. Zlatiborka Popov-Momčinović, Prof. Dr. Zilka Spahić Šiljak, Prof. Dr. Larisa Kasumagić-Kafedžić, Dr. Amra Pandžo, and Randall Puljek-Shank.
The introductory lecture was delivered by Prof. Dr. Zlatiborka Popov-Momčinović, who presented key theoretical approaches to peacebuilding and raised questions about how gender relations, religious identities, and social structures contribute to the emergence of conflicts, as well as the possibilities for overcoming them. Particular attention was devoted to understanding peace as a long-term process that requires not only the cessation of violence but also the building of trust, social justice, equality, and inclusive social relations.
Throughout the course, participants will explore various dimensions of peacebuilding, including nonviolent communication, critical analysis of nationalism, feminist approaches to peacebuilding, and the contributions of monotheistic religions to peace processes. Special emphasis will be placed on feminist perspectives that challenge traditional concepts of security and peace and highlight the importance of women’s experiences, agency, and leadership in conflict prevention, reconciliation, and community rebuilding.
One of the key topics of the course will be the relationship between religion, violence, and peace. Participants will examine how religious traditions can be instrumentalized to justify divisions and exclusion, while also exploring their ethical resources for nonviolence, solidarity, dialogue, and reconciliation.
In addition to theoretical and critical approaches, the course incorporates a practical dimension of peacebuilding by introducing participants to indicators for monitoring and evaluating peacebuilding activities. This component aims to connect academic understandings of peacebuilding with concrete methods for tracking change and assessing the impact of peace initiatives.
The course Gender, Religion and Peacebuilding contributes to the educational mission of FER School by creating space for critical reflection on religion, gender, and society through an interdisciplinary and feminist approach. It also seeks to empower participants to actively contribute to building more just, nonviolent, and inclusive communities.
