Peacebuilding today requires more than technical solutions; it demands inclusive, values-driven collaboration that reflects the lived realities of local communities. Recognising this, the International Dialogue Centre - KAICIID and the International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) have come together to strengthen dialogue and cooperation between two often overlooked groups in peace processes: women peacebuilders and religious leaders.

While KAICIID brings decades of experience in interreligious and intercultural dialogue, and ICAN leads with a globally respected network of women peacebuilders, the two share a unified vision: peace processes must reflect the lived realities of communities most impacted by conflict. Through this partnership, they are creating space for women peacebuilders and religious leaders to engage, learn, and co-develop locally grounded, inclusive approaches to peace.

At KAICIID, we believe dialogue is more than a tool—it’s a way of living,” said Mitra Modaressi, Senior Programme Manager for Asia. “This partnership allows us to connect two powerful networks: faith leaders and women peacebuilders, and support their collaboration in a way that is meaningful, respectful, and grounded in shared values.

The partnership, now formalised through a signed Collaboration Agreement, will launch with a cross-regional exchange that brings together members of ICAN’s Women’s Alliance for Security Leadership (WASL) and KAICIID’s network of religious leaders from the MENA and Asia regions. This initiative aims to foster mutual learning and connection between two influential yet often disconnected groups, women peacebuilders and faith-based actors, who are working toward shared goals in fragmented contexts. It will also include collaborative storytelling, field-based research, and co-designed sessions for the 2026 ICAN Women, Peace and Security Forum.

Why Now?

Across the globe, women peacebuilders and religious leaders are often among the first responders in times of crisis and the last to be formally engaged in peace processes. Yet, when these actors come together, their moral and social capital can reshape how societies recover from violence and navigate differences.

If women and religious leaders unite in advocating for inclusive peace, ensuring that women are not just present but shaping the process, the results will be transformative,” said Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, Founder and Executive Director of ICAN.

From Sri Lanka to Iraq, ICAN’s network of women-led peace organisations have worked with imams, priests, and other faith leaders to prevent violence, support reconciliation, and shift harmful social norms. For KAICIID, an institution long committed to fostering dialogue across divides, this partnership marks a bold and timely step toward intersectional, collaborative, and locally led action.

A Strategic Partnership for a More Inclusive Future

What sets this collaboration apart is its shared insistence on dignity and human agency as the foundation for peace. Rather than viewing gender and faith identities as separate or opposing, KAICIID and ICAN are shaping a model where both are seen as complementary sources of resilience, authority, and constructive leadership.

This alliance brings new potential to global peacebuilding efforts by creating structured avenues for joint action between traditionally siloed actors. Through shared learning, joint advocacy, and inclusive programming, the partnership enhances both organizations’ ability to reach communities that are often left out of formal peace processes.

By bringing together women peacebuilders and religious leaders, KAICIID and ICAN are addressing long-standing gaps in global peace architecture and demonstrating the value of collaborative, intersectional approaches. This partnership signals a commitment to ensuring that peacebuilding is not only more inclusive but also more grounded in the diverse realities of the communities it seeks to serve.

Together, KAICIID and ICAN are expanding the global conversation on peace, and reshaping who gets to lead it.

Read more on ICAN’s website: Women Peacebuilders and Religious Leaders Join Forces to Reimagine Peacebuilding