Support the 10th Annual International Conference on Ethnic and Religious Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding

Hosted by: The International Center for Ethno-Religious Mediation (ICERMediation)
When: November 11-13, 2025
Where: Mercy University – Bronx Campus, New York City

A Call for Your Generosity and Support

The 10th Annual International Conference on Ethnic and Religious Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding presents an unparalleled opportunity for individuals, institutions, and organizations to join in fostering global peace and reconciliation. This year’s theme, The Identity Factor in Contemporary Wars and Violent Conflicts: A Return to History, Memory Work, and Transformative Learning, explores the profound role that identity plays in fueling and resolving violent conflicts. It also emphasizes the importance of historical memory and transformative learning in the process of healing and rebuilding fractured communities.

As a potential donor, your contribution will directly support a number of critical elements that ensure the success and lasting impact of the conference:

1. Empowering Victims of Violence:
Many of our invited speakers are survivors of ethnic, racial, and religious violence, and their personal stories are vital in fostering a deeper understanding of the human cost of such conflicts. These powerful narratives will provide a platform for healing, reconciliation, and a transformative exchange of experiences, creating an atmosphere of empathy and understanding. However, many of these speakers come from regions experiencing hardship, and we seek your support to cover their travel and accommodation expenses, ensuring their voices are heard and their stories shared.

2. Engaging Students and Future Peacebuilders:
We are committed to involving the next generation of peacebuilders by supporting the participation of students from diverse universities and colleges across the United States. By attending the conference, students will engage with experts, practitioners, and survivors, equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to carry forward the work of conflict resolution and peacebuilding. Your donation will help make their participation possible.

3. Workshops and Dialogues on Veterans' Lived Experiences of War:
One of the unique features of the conference will be a series of workshops and dialogues focused on the lived experiences of war veterans. These sessions will provide a safe and open space for veterans to share their personal stories, struggles, and insights about the aftermath of war. By listening to and learning from veterans, we gain invaluable understanding of the long-term effects of conflict on individuals and communities. Your donations will help facilitate these workshops and dialogues and support the travel expenses of invited war veterans, ensuring that their voices are heard and that they are fully represented in the conversation.

4. Musical Performances / Musical Concert for Healing:
To further support the healing process of war survivors, veterans, and others impacted by violent conflict, we plan to host a series of musical performances and a concert during the conference. Music has the unique power to transcend language, culture, and conflict, providing a means for emotional expression and connection. We will invite diverse musical ensembles, including high school choirs, to perform at the conference. These performances will offer a powerful, collective healing experience that complements the dialogue and workshops, allowing participants to experience catharsis, reflection, and unity. Your donations will directly support this vital healing program, bringing music into the hearts and minds of those who need it most.

5. Documenting and Educating Through Media:
With your support, we will produce a documentary highlighting the most powerful moments of the conference. This documentary will serve as an educational tool for future generations, policymakers, and peace advocates worldwide. It will allow the voices of victims and experts to be preserved and shared far beyond the conference itself, ensuring that the lessons learned will be imparted globally.

6. Publishing Conference Proceedings and Educational Materials:
To maximize the educational impact of the conference, we will publish the proceedings, selected conference papers, and other written materials in our Journal of Living Together. These resources will be made available to universities, colleges, policymakers, and the general public, creating a lasting educational legacy. Your donation will help fund the publication and distribution of these materials, ensuring that the knowledge generated at the conference continues to inspire, inform, and educate long after the event.

7. Fostering Public Awareness and Policymaker Education:
Donations will also help support outreach efforts that bring the conference discussions to policymakers, media outlets, and the public. By disseminating key takeaways and findings, we aim to shape public discourse, inform policy decisions, and contribute to a broader global understanding of how ethnic, racial, and religious identity intersects with conflict and peacebuilding.

Your Impact: A Lasting Legacy of Peacebuilding:
By contributing to this crucial event, you are helping build a future rooted in understanding, empathy, and lasting peace. Your support will create an immediate and lasting impact on the lives of survivors, students, veterans, and future policymakers—equipping them with the knowledge and experiences needed to create a more peaceful world.

How You Can Help:

a) Support the participation of survivors and students
b) Fund the production of educational media
c) Contribute to the publication and distribution of valuable conference materials
d) Support Workshops and Dialogues on Veterans' Lived Experiences of War
e) Help facilitate a Musical Concert and Healing Performances
f) Advance global peacebuilding efforts through your donation

Together, we can transform lives and communities. Join us in making this 10th Annual Conference an event that will resonate for years to come.

Thank you for your generosity and commitment to peace.