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CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Time Zone: Eastern Time (New York Time)

To register for the conference, click here.

Please note that our time zone is Eastern Time (New York).

Arrival of Participants and Welcome Reception (Meet and Greet)

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Time: 5:00 PM

Location: Ophir Room

DAY ONE

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

9:00 AM Registration and Check-in

Location: The Reid Castle Entrance

Check in first at the Security Post when entering the college

9:00 AM Continental Breakfast

Location: Ophir Room

10:00 AM to 12:45 PM Plenary Session

Location: West Room

Virtual Room: Virtual participants should join this plenary session with the video call link:

10:00 AM Opening Remarks

Spencer M. McNairn, Public Affairs Coordinator at ICERM

Reading of Poem by Dana Wu, Master of Fine Arts Student at Manhattanville College

Basil Ugorji, Ph.D., President and CEO, ICERM

Craig Sevilla Donnelly, Director of the Sr. Mary T. Clark Center for Religion and Social Justice

Louise Feroe, Ph.D. Interim President of Manhattanville College

10:30 AM Keynote Speech

Religion and Track II Diplomacy: Lessons Learned in Pyongyang

Dr. Thomas J. Ward, Provost and Professor of Peace and Development, President (2019-2022) of Unification Theological Seminary New York, NY

Chair:

Arthur Lerman, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Political Science, History, and Conflict Management, Mercy College, New York

11:00 AM Q&A Session with the Keynote Speaker

11:30 AM – 12:45 PM Distinguished Speeches and Discussion

Benjamin Boykin II, Westchester County Legislator, District 5 (Representing White Plains, Scarsdale, West Harrison)

Joseph P. Castelli, Police Chief, White Plains Police Department, White Plains, NY

12:45 PM Conference Group Photo

1:00 PM – 2 PM Luncheon

Location: Ophir Room

Virtual Room: Virtual participants should join this luncheon distinguished speech with the video call link

Distinguished Speaker

Maria Smith Dautruche, Director of Westchester Center for Racial Equity at YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester

2:30 PM – 6:30 PM Insights from the Experts and Panel Discussions

2:30 PM Concurrent Panel 1:

Location: Presidents Dining Room

Virtual Room:

Hate Crime in Ethiopia’s Dessie City Administration: Causes, Consequences, and Possible Remedies

Dr. Yohannes Amene Tsegaye

Senior Expert on Deliverology and Innovation; Project Coordinator, Ethiopian National Volunteer Community Service Program, Ethiopian Ministry of Peace

Interethnic Conflicts in Ethiopia and the Invention of a Common National Identity by Prime Minister Abiy to Displace Ethnic Consciousness

Dr. Amanuel Isak Tewolde

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Centre for Social Development in Africa, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

2:30 PM Concurrent Panel 2:

Location: East Library Room

Virtual Room:

Influence of Ethno-Religious Social Media Conflicts on Africa’s Under Development: A Case Study of Selected Areas in East Africa

Lydia Igwee

Lecturer, Department of Educational Foundations, College of Education Open and Distance Learning, Kampala, Uganda

3:30 PM Concurrent Panel 3:

Location: Presidents Dining Room

Virtual Room:

Refugees and Economic Development in Host Communities: A Case Study of Selected Refugee Settlements in Eastern Africa

Dr. Badru Hasan Segujja

Senior Lecturer, Peace and Conflict Management, International Relation and Diplomatic Studies, Kampala International University, Uganda

3:30 PM Concurrent Panel 4:

Location: East Library Room

Virtual Room:

Dialogue as a Tool to Foster Peace against Interreligious Conflict in Nigeria

Miriam Adaeze Uju Oguike

Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Abuja, Nigeria

‘From Divided Past to Cohesive Future’: A Reflection on the Reconciliatory Mechanisms of (Yoruba) Traditional Approaches to Conflicts Resolution in Nigeria

Fasuan Emmanuel Olawale

PhD Student, Department of International Relation and Strategic Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

4:30 PM Concurrent Panel 5:

Location: Presidents Dining Room

Virtual Room:

US-DPRK Relations: Religion’s Mitigating Role

Dr. Thomas J. Ward

Provost and Professor of Peace and Development, Unification Theological Seminary New York, NY

COVID-19 Pandemic and Trans-Faith Humanitarian Action in Sri Lanka

Dr. Kalinga Tudor Silva

Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

4:30 PM Concurrent Panel 6:

Location: East Library Room

Virtual Room:

Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and Ethnic Disparity in the USA: The Mediators’ Role

Lisa Singh

Independent Mediator/Consultant/Trainer, Dayton Mediation Center, Dayton, OH

The Discourse of Othering: An Analysis of Politics of Inclusivity and Exclusivity in Kenya

Dr. Jesica Kinya Mwithia

Senior Lecturer, School of Communication, Daystar University, Kenya

5:30 PM Concurrent Panel 7:

Location: Presidents Dining Room

Virtual Room:

Conversion to Islam and Ethnic Nationalism in Malaysia

Dr. Nur Daut

Associate Professor, Asian Studies Programme, Kansai Gaidai University, Japan

A Study of Prophet Muhammad’s Conduct on Conflict Resolutions

Dr. Muhammad Shahbaz

Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic studies, University of Sargodha, Pakistan

5:30 PM Concurrent Panel 8:

Location: East Library Room

Virtual Room:

Hope for Intergroup Solidarity: Intersections Between Memory, Positionality, and Respect for Religious Salience among Diaspora Indian Christians

Dr. Autumn L. Mathias

Assistant Professor of Social Work/Sociology Program Coordinator, Elms College, Chicopee, MA

The Right to Freedom of Religion in India and the Impact of Hindutva on Religious Minorities in the COVID-19 ERA

Dr. Md Jahid Hossain Bhuiyan

Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellow, Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law, Heidleberg, Germany

6:30 PM Day One Closing Remarks by Basil Ugorji, Ph.D., President and CEO, ICERM

DAY TWO: Thursday, September 29, 2022

9:00 AM Registration

Location: The Reid Castle Entrance

Check in first at the Security Post when entering the college

9:00 AM Continental Breakfast

Location: Ophir Room

10:00 AM to 12:45 PM Plenary Session

Location: West Room

Virtual Room: Virtual participants should join this plenary session with this video call link:

10:00 AM Opening Remarks

Spencer M. McNairn, Public Affairs Coordinator at ICERM

Reading of Poem by Rachel Simon, Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Pace University

10:30 AM Keynote Speech

Shelley B. Mayer, New York State Senator (Representing the 37th District) and Chair of the Committee on Education

Representatives of Governor Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York State:

Sibu Nair, Deputy Director of Asian American Affairs, Executive Chamber

Brandon Lloyd, Governor’s Lower Hudson Valley Regional Representative, Executive Chamber

Chair:

Arthur Lerman, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Political Science, History, and Conflict Management, Mercy College, New York

11:20 AM Q&A Session with the Keynote Speaker

11:40 AM Conference Group Photo

11:45 AM – 12:45 PM Insights from the Experts and Panel Discussions

11:45 AM Concurrent Panel 9:

Location: Presidents Dining Room

Virtual Room:

Child-Focused Accountability Mechanisms for Yazidi Community Post-Genocide (2014)

Brenda Hershey, Executive Director, TRY Global

and

Saman Omar, Lecturer, University of Duhok, College of Humanities Sciences, Iraq

Acceptance in Post-Genocide Rwanda: Success and Challenges throughout Action-based Reconciliation Model between Genocide Perpetrators and Genocide Survivors

Felix Bigabo

Head of Partnership, Capacity Building and Research, Prison Fellowship, Rwanda

11:45 AM Concurrent Panel 10:

Location: East Library Room

Virtual Room:

Ethno-Religiosity and Conflict in Africa: A Discourse Analysis and Resolution

Dr. Augustine Ugar Akah

Doctoral Candidate, Institute of International Political Sociology, University of Kiel, Germany

Peacebuilding: An Antidote to Religious and Ethnic Conflicts in Nigeria

Moses Onyekachi Nwakanma

Lecturer, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

1:00 PM – 2 PM Luncheon

Location: Ophir Room

Virtual Room: Virtual participants should join this luncheon distinguished speech with this video call link:

Distinguished Speakers

Seenaa Jimjimo, Executive Director, Oromo Legacy Leadership & Advocacy Association (OLLAA), Falls Church, VA

Nada Khader, Executive Director, Westchester People’s Action Coalition (WESPAC)

2:30 PM – 5:30 PM Insights from the Experts and Panel Discussions

2:30 PM Concurrent Panel 11:

Location: Presidents Dining Room

Virtual Room:

How we can Change from Strangers to Brothers

Junis Sultan

Doctoral Candidate, University of Heidelberg, Germany

Peaceful Coexistence of Multicultural Students on Campus as an Example of Ethnic, Racial and Religious Understanding

Eng. Christian Rhiugwasanye, M.Tech

Founder of Rhugwasanye Foundation in Democratic Republic of Congo

2:30 PM Concurrent Panel 12:

Location: East Library Room

Virtual Room:

The Role of External and Internal Forces in Myanmar Political Reforms Since 2010

Than Win Hlaing

Managing Director, T & K Maung Nan General Trading Co., LTD, Myanmar

Hindutva in the USA: Understanding the Promotion of Ethnic and Religious Conflict

Adem Carroll

Justice for All USA

3:30 PM Concurrent Panel 13:

Location: Presidents Dining Room

Virtual Room:

How the Cultural Religious Conflict has shaped Approaches to Ethnic Minority Representation in Northern Ireland Museums

Mairead (Margaret) Quinn

PhD Student, University of Ulster in Belfast, Northern Ireland

3:30 PM Concurrent Panel 14:

Location: East Library Room

Virtual Room:

Mosques as an Actor in the Prevention of Radicalization and Rehabilitation of Extremism

Dr. María Isabel García García

Non-Resident Fellow, Center of Global Affairs (NYU), New York

Community Development Projects as Panacea for bringing Communities Together: A Case Study of the Christian and Muslim Communities of Rupike Irrigation Project in Masvingo District, Zimbabwe

Simbarashe Munamati

Ph.D. Candidate, Religion and Development, University of Zimbabwe

4:30 PM Concurrent Panel 15:

Location: Presidents Dining Room

Virtual Room:

Ethnicity as a Tool to Pacify Religious Extremism: Case of Somalia Intrastate Conflict

Dr. John Kisilu Reuben

Colonel, Kenyan Military, Kenya

Women Politicking for Peace in Southern Cameroons: Takumbeng Women’s Society in Perspective

Dr. Lukong Stella Shulika

Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa

4:30 PM Concurrent Panel 16:

Location: East Library Room

Virtual Room:

Addressing Ethno-Religious Conflict: A Practitioner’s Toolkit

Lisa Singh

Independent Mediator/Consultant/Trainer, Dayton Mediation Center, Dayton, OH

Creative Responses to Religious Conflicts Using Restorative Practices

Priscilla Prutzman

Co-founder and Executive Director, Creative Response to Conflict, Suffern, NY

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Closing Reception

Location: Ophir Room

6:30 PM – 8:30 PM INAUGURATION OF INTERNATIONAL DIVINITY DAY

Location: West Room

Virtual Room:

Introduction: Let’s Open Our Hearts

Welcome Message and Mantra Recitation

Rev. Sharon Callender, Interfaith Pastor, and Assistant Registrar, DSO, Manhattanville College

Opening Remarks

Basil Ugorji, Ph.D., President and CEO, ICERM

Craig Sevilla Donnelly, Director of the Sr. Mary T. Clark Center for Religion and Social Justice

Reading of Poem by Iain Haley Pollock, Director, Master of Fine Arts Program, Manhattanville College

Music

Reflections on Interreligious Understanding and Global Peace

First Reflection:

Sivachariar M.R. Ravi Vaidyanaat, Director of Religious Affairs and Spiritual Leader, The Hindu Temple Society of North America

Second Reflection:

Rev. Fr. Maxwell Wullar, SVD, Divine Word Missionaries, Intern at VIVAT International, NY

Third Reflection:

Imam Muhammad Shahidullah, President of Interfaith Center of USA

Fourth Reflection:

Dr. Charles Chikwado Ezeh, Self-help Coach, Speaker and Philosopher, Maryland

Fifth Reflection:

Rev. Sharon Callender, Interfaith Pastor, and Assistant Registrar, DSO, Manhattanville College

Music

Keynote Speech

Dr. Daisy Khan, D.Min, Founder and Executive Director, Women’s Islamic Initiative in Spirituality & Equality (WISE) New York, NY

ICERM Honorary Award Presentation

2022 Honorees:

Dr. Thomas J. Ward, Provost and Professor of Peace and Development, President (2019-2022) of Unification Theological Seminary New York, NY

Dr. Daisy Khan, D.Min, Founder and Executive Director, Women’s Islamic Initiative in Spirituality & Equality (WISE) New York, NY

Presenter:

Dr. Basil Ugorji, President and CEO, ICERM

Vote of Thanks

Spencer M. McNairn, Public Affairs Coordinator at ICERM

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2022 International Conference on Ethnic and Religious Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding held in The Reid Castle at Manhattanville College, Purchase, NY, USA, from Wednesday, September 28 – Thursday, September 29, 2022. Theme: Ethnic, Racial and Religious Conflicts Globally: Analysis, Research and Resolution.

View or Download Conference Program

Religion is one of the socioeconomic phenomena with undeniable impacts on humanity anywhere in the world. As sacrosanct as it seems, religion is not only important to the understanding of the existence of any indigenous population but also has policy relevance in the interethnic and developmental contexts. Historical and ethnographic evidence on different manifestations and nomenclatures of the phenomenon of religion abound. The Igbo nation in Southern Nigeria, on both sides of the Niger River, is one of the largest black entrepreneurial cultural groups in Africa, with unmistakable religious fervour that implicates sustainable development and interethnic interactions within its traditional borders. But the religious landscape of Igboland is constantly changing. Until 1840, the dominant religion(s) of the Igbo was indigenous or traditional. Less than two decades later, when Christian missionary activity commenced in the area, a new force was unleashed that would eventually reconfigure the indigenous religious landscape of the area. Christianity grew to dwarf the dominance of the latter. Before the centenary of Christianity in Igboland, Islam and other less hegemonic faiths arose to compete against indigenous Igbo religions and Christianity. This paper tracks the religious diversification and its functional relevance to harmonious development in Igboland. It draws its data from published works, interviews, and artefacts. It argues that as new religions emerge, the Igbo religious landscape will continue to diversify and/or adapt, either for inclusivity or exclusivity among the existing and emerging religions, for the survival of the Igbo.