The presentation of the Study Paper “Religion, Peace, and Security: Challenges and Prospects in the MENA Region”, promoted by the Religion and Security Council (RSC) and the NATO Security Force Assistance – Centre of Excellence (NATO SFA COE), took place on 9 October 2023, at the NATO SFA COE headquarters in Cesano, Rome. The volume collects the proceedings of the Study Seminar held on 5-6 May 2022, and has been edited by RSC Chairman Emiliano Stornelli, in collaboration with Dr. Sihem Djebbi, Associate Professor at the University of Sorbonne Paris Nord and the Pontifical Faculty of Theology of Southern Italy.
In addition to RSC Chairman Emiliano Stornelli and Dr. Sihem Djebbi, the presentation featured NATO SFA COE Director, Col. Massimo Di Pietro, and the keynote speakers of the Study Seminar, who joined the event remotely to illustrate the main contents of the chapters of the volume they authored:
Lt. Gen. Stefano Del Col
Director at the Supreme Council of Defense, Italian Presidency of the Republic
Former UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander
Dr. Elie Al Hindy
Executive Director, Adyan Foundation
Dr. Majeda Omar
Associate Professor, University of Jordan
Former Director, Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies
Prof. Aicha Haddou
Director of Ta’aruf − Morocco Interfaith & Peacebuilding Research and Training Centre, Rabita Mohammedia of Ulemas
Imam Yahya Pallavicini
President of the Islamic Religious Community of Italy (COREIS)
Ambassador for Dialogue among Civilizations,
Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO)
Dr. Elie Abouaoun
RSC Senior Fellow
Former Director of North Africa Programs & Regional Hub, U.S. Institute of Peace
Hon. Pascale Isho Warda
RSC Senior Fellow
President, Hammurabi Human Rights Organization
Former Minister for Migration and the Displaced, Iraqi Interim Government
In conclusion, RSC Chairman Emiliano Stornelli and Dr. Sihem Djebbi shared the main “Strategic Takeaways on Religion, Peace, and Security in the MENA Region” drawn from proceedings of the Study Seminar and included in the final chapter of the volume.
