Drawing on field data from Lebanon, Bosnia, and Sierra Leone, this RSC brief argues that faith-anchored mediation bodies deliver higher levels of local legitimacy and more durable outcomes than externally-imposed state mediation.
Key findings
- Interfaith councils exhibit 38% longer retention of peace agreements in our 12-year sample.
- Community trust metrics rise fastest when faith bodies are empowered early.
- State mediation remains essential, but as a partner, not a substitute.