When religious and ethnic differences create tensions, bold steps are needed to promote peaceful societies. With the four-year FoRB III program, which concluded at the end of 2023, we embraced this challenge. In Northern Cameroon and on the Philippine island of Mindanao, bridges were built between communities, with dialogue and mutual understanding at the heart of the fight
for sustainable peace and religious freedom.

The Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB) III project was a four-year initiative funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focused on promoting religious freedom and countering extremism in Northern Cameroon and Mindanao, Philippines. In both regions, we worked closely with eight local partners and our consortium partner Human Security Collective (HSC) to reduce tensions between religious and ethnic communities and build lasting relationships.

Cameroon: working for peace in a changing
religious landscape

In Northern Cameroon, the rapid rise of very strictly religious Christian and Muslim groups has led to increasing tensions between religious communities, often exacerbated by ethnic differences. This dynamic, combined with local conflicts and violence from Boko Haram, posed a serious threat to peace and security in the region.

Our approach: The FoRB III project focused on strengthening interfaith dialogue and raising awareness of prejudices, especially against women and young people. We established interfaith peace committees, trained traditional and religious leaders, and bridged the gap between citizens and security authorities through joint workshops and dialogue sessions.

Results: Thanks to these efforts, relations within communities have significantly improved. By establishing new peace committees and supporting existing groups, we have fostered mutual understanding, trust, and respect. Young people have been trained as leaders and now work actively with local governments, and discrimination based on religion and ethnicity has decreased. Trust between citizens and security authorities has also been strengthened, leading to new cooperation platforms and improved access to essential services.

Philippines: bridging ethnic and religious divides

On Mindanao, an island with a history of ethno-religious conflicts and weak human rights conditions, FoRB III faced the challenge of overcoming deep-seated mistrust and prejudice. The gap between legally guaranteed religious freedom and reality left young people vulnerable to radicalization.

Our approach: In the Philippines, we focused on promoting interfaith cooperation by establishing women’s and youth organizations and training leaders in conflict mediation and non-violent communication. We organized workshops, dialogue sessions, and public campaigns to raise awareness of religious rights and the need for cooperation.

Results: The results in Mindanao are clear. Cooperation between religious and ethnic groups has strengthened, leading to the creation of new peace platforms and widespread awareness of the role of religious tolerance in promoting peace. Young people who participated in the project are now active leaders in their communities, and local governments have committed to initiatives such as the annual Peace Week.

A step towards sustainable peace

The FoRB III program demonstrates that change is possible when communities come together to recognize their shared humanity and work towards a future where freedom of religion and belief is guaranteed for everyone. The project has shown that it is possible to overcome deep-seated tensions by promoting dialogue, respect, and cooperation. While this program has now concluded, the lessons learned and the networks established continue to contribute to peaceful societies. Local partners and participants are determined to keep the legacy of FoRB III alive and expand upon it further.