The Role Of Religion In Diplomacy A Case Study About Conflict Resolution In Kosovo

Identity is crucial for humans,states and nations.The always present struggle in the Balkan peninsula is a struggle for identity(over territories,culture,language,name,history).It is crucial to resolve internal issues before seeking acceptance in the international community.Kosovo is the newest country in Europe bringing into focus military intervention for the purpose of peace and the responsibility to protect.Data and information related to the declaration of independence,self-determination,secession and recognition will be used only in help of the topic studied on this paper and not for discussion of their legitimacy.One of the essential purposes of religion is to form and maintain relationships with our communities.Now that states and societies are being aware of the importance of religion in the international relations,it is necessary to seek the advantageous side of religion in conflict resolution and peace-building.The researcher is focused on the religion and its role in the international relations and conflict resolution along with the new diplomacy methods used by young states in their struggle for state-building and international recognition.The major purpose of this research is to demonstrate how religion as a part of a culture can serve as a basis of solidarity between two or more conflicting nations.Both international relations and religion are associated with peace,war,values,human nature and violence.One of the international norms influenced by religion is human rights,and violation of human rights was one of the strongest moments of the conflict issue in Kosovo.The nature of the conflict in the Balkan is of ethnic nature,pushed from the spread of nationalism in the eastern and southeastern Europe.Cultural factors like language,heritage,and religion have also played their role in escalating the conflict.This thesis asserts despite the fact that Kosovo is a secular multi-ethnic state,the same factors that helped the enlargement of the conflict can play the opposite role,by helping to resolve it.Using Kosovo as a case study,this analysis aims to discuss the importance of diplomacy in dialogue between relatively small states,being their conflict brings unrest to the whole region.It is in the interest of both sides to achieve an "acceptable" result for the future integration in the international community.The thesis claims that implementing religion to conduct interfaith dialogue,by bringing people of different backgrounds together,makes possible for people and nations to leave behind their hate and rivalry,find common goals and take actions to set these goals.The new form of diplomacy benefits the traditional diplomacy,ensuing mutual recognition.This study follows a constructivist approach to explain that states are able to govern together by making joint commitments and linking them to forums.In a constructivist tradition,states can view each other as rivals,enemies or friends.Leaving aside the political dialogues,it is in the interest of the researcher to focus on cultural dialogue,implementing religion as a powerful factor in bringing conflicting parties in dialogue for peacebuilding and peacekeeping.Religion plays a role in the choices of individuals and societies since the presence of the spirituality often affects the behavior of people,especially those in conflict.The interfaith initiative in Kosovo aims to create a platform for mutual understanding between the followers of different religions not only in Kosovo but also in the region and farther.It brings together scholars,thinkers,leaders and religious representatives to discuss and find the common goals between different religions.Through dialogue they promote solidarity among each other and followers of religions with a view to address the conflicts and crisis in the region.Religion is not the object to be studied,yet it is the lens through which conflict resolution is studied in this paper.The major contribution of this thesis is that it examines the problem from a positive perspective.As a constructivist approach,this research focuses on the "discursive power" to argue for a solution of the long going conflict of Kosovo,which took different forms and shapes in different times.