Refugee crisis: The role of religious actors

Europe is experiencing the worst refugee crisis since World War II. Involving religious organizations in drafting and implementing policies to tackle this issue can maximize effective delivery of services to refugees and improve their integration process in the receiving countries.
For this reason, several projects of collaboration between religious actors, governments and NGOs have been put in place. To evaluate the benefits and challenges of the most promising ones, over 30 religious representatives, diplomats and policy makers joined the 8th policy dialogue on Religions and International Politics (13–14 March) promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and ISPI. (programme and list of participants here)
Special attention was given to the Humanitarian Corridors initiative launched in 2016 by the Italian government, the Comunità di Sant’Egidio and other religious organizations. This policy guarantees regular and safer entry mechanisms for refugees who are then more quickly integrated into the Italian society. (more information is available here).

"Religious communities are key in numerous reconciliation, collaboration and service delivery processes worldwide" – VIDEO Fabio Petito, Senior Lecturer in International Relations, University of Sussex; Scientific Coordinator of ISPI–MAECI workshop on ‘Religions and International Relations’   "The Humanitarian Corridors Initiative represents a turning point in dealing with migration" – VIDEO Cesare Zucconi,  Secretary General, The Community of Sant’Egidio — Italy   "The success of the Humanitarian Corridors Initiative is making other countries willing to replicate it" – VIDEO Massimo Carnelos,  Policy Planning and Historical Diplomatic Documentation Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) — Italy   "The Christian Church can help promote a more positive narrative about migration" – VIDEO Bishop David Hamid, Church of England’s Diocese in Europe — UK   "Islamic communities have the duty to help migrants understand the value of pluralism and religious freedom" – VIDEO Yahya Sergio Yahe Pallavicini,  President, COREIS (Italian Islamic Religious Community) — Italy   "Pope’s Francis attention to world peripheries and Asia is changing the Catholic Church's foreign diplomacy" – VIDEO Alberto Melloni,  Professor of History of Christianity, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia — Italy   "Governments should encourage inter–religious dialogues because as it is a fundamental tool for promoting peace" – VIDEO Jean–Christophe Peaucelle,  Ambassador, Adviser for Religious Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs — France   "Foreign ministers can develop more efficient policy outcomes if they engage religious actors" – VIDEO Scott Thomas,  Senior Lecturer in International Relations and the Politics of Developing Countries, University of Bath - UK   "Religious organizations can act as innovators, trying out models that can then be scaled up by governments" – VIDEO Michael Collyer, Professor of Geography, University of Sussex — UK