Featured
-
This is the introduction to Context in Faith-Based Peacemaking: An Islamic Perspective by Abbas Aroua, published in the Cordoba Research Papers series (October 2026). The complete paper is available as a PDF: read the full paper. 1. Introduction The term ‘context’,…
-
Research Papers
The Medina Charter: Multiple Affiliations as a Model for Social Cohesion in a Pluralistic Society
Read the full paper | PDF Introduction No society is entirely homogeneous, whether in terms of ethnicity, language, ideology or religion. This is particularly true in the current age of communication and the movement of people and ideas.…
-
النسخة العربيةVersion Française June 2026Dear Reader,The first half of this year saw the continuation of ongoing armed conflicts in Africa and West Asia – regions in which CPI is involved – as well as the outbreak of the US-Israeli…
-
Forward Read the full CPI Annual Report 2025 | PDF In a context marked by protracted conflicts, increasing polarization, and growing pressure on social cohesion across many regions of the world, the need for inclusive and locally grounded…
-
| Authors: Audrey Dell’Acqua and Meg-Ann Lenoble | Summary The Middle Belt region of Nigeria faces persistent conflict and violence rooted in the phenomenon of transhumance and competition over natural resources. The region experiences frequent tensions between nomadic herders and settled…
-
Research Papers
Supporting Syria’s Social Fabric: Mediation, Dialogue, and Durable Peace in a Transitional Context
| Author: Meg-Ann Lenoble | Summary This paper is intended as a forward-looking analytical contribution for international partners. It highlights structural dynamics, emerging opportunities, and areas for preventive engagement in support of social cohesion and conflict transformation, without…
-
1 May 2026 Within the framework of the Fiqhi Pathways project implemented jointly by CPI-Geneva and the Swiss FDFA’s Peace and Human Rights Division, engagement with Deobandi scholars of or close to Taliban is pursued to promote governance…
-
Contributions
Cross-Cultural Religious Literacy and Practical Peacemaking in Islamic Contexts: Ten Reflections
From 4 to 6 June 2025, I had the privilege of attending the Cross-Cultural Religious Literacy (CCRL) Summit in Krakow, Poland. The event was co-organized by Love Your Neighbor Community (LYNC), the Templeton Religion Trust, and The Review of Faith & International Affairs. There,…
What we do
Advancing peace through knowledge, dialogue and skills
-
Research & Policy
Producing and sharing evidence-based knowledge to inform action and guide public policies.
Explore research & policy -
Dialogue & Mediation
Facilitating inclusive dialogue and mediation to prevent conflicts and strengthen social cohesion.
Explore dialogue & mediation -
Capacity Building
Strengthening the capacities of leaders, communities and institutions to promote sustainable peace.
Explore capacity building
Our methodology
Conflict transformation
We endeavour to transform the relationships between parties to conflict, to minimise the use of violence. We encourage them to deal with direct, structural and cultural causes of conflict.
Collective shared knowledge
In our reports and papers, the analyses, conclusions and recommendations are shared by a diverse panel of actors from different backgrounds.
Find out more: Collective shared knowledgeCapacity-building
We empower parties to conflict and enhance their capacity to analyse conflicts and to master non-violent approaches to dealing with them.
Find out more: Capacity-buildingSafe mediation space
We provide protected and respectful spaces where parties to conflict can interact directly with the “other”, and we keep a channel of communication open between them.
Find out more: Safe mediation spaceDiapraxis
We use dialogue to arrive at practical solutions that conflict parties implement jointly. Developing shared actions inclusively goes further in building trust.
Find out more: DiapraxisConflict analysis
Thorough desk and field research at the start of each project, followed up throughout, builds the knowledge and networks that make our processes credible.
Find out more: Conflict analysisBuilding trust
Our work depends on common trust and shared goals. We take time to ensure our interlocutors are convinced of the genuineness of our intentions.
Find out more: Building trustWhy support the CPI?
Since 2002 the Cordoba Peace Institute – Geneva has worked to promote constructive dialogue and peace in and with the Arab and Muslim worlds. This work has never been more urgent.
Our mission
Our mission is to promote dialogue and empower people for the prevention of violence and for peaceful conflict transformation in societies where Muslims live.
The spirit of the Institute
The name of the Institute recalls the spirit of enlightenment and mutual respect that ruled in 10th-century Cordoba, called the “Capital of the Spirit”, which remains an almost unique model for dialogue between civilisations and the cross-fertilisation of ideas and learning.
What we do
We focus on tensions and polarisations in all societies where Muslims live and aim to enhance theoretical and practical conflict transformation resources in Muslim-majority countries.
Where we work
Programmes in the Sahel (Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria), West Asia (Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria) and North Africa (Libya, Morocco, Tunisia), and a programme encouraging coexistence and diversity in Europe (Belgium, France, Hungary, Switzerland).
Our main programmes
- Addressing the challenges to peaceful transition in North Africa and West Asia (NAWAT)
- Encouraging peaceful interaction between communities in the Sahel
- Preventing violent extremism in North Africa, West Asia and the Sahel (PVE)
- Addressing Sunni–Shia tensions in the Arab world (ME)
- Transforming conflict in the humanitarian field (HUMED)
- Encouraging coexistence and diversity in Europe (Islam in Europe)
Publications
Contributions
Cordoba Updates
The Cordoba Update June 2026
النسخة العربيةVersion Française June 2026Dear Reader,The first half of this year saw the continuation of ongoing armed conflicts in Africa and West Asia – regions in which CPI is involved – as well as the…
At a glance
Where we work
Active in Africa, the Middle East, and beyond.
Our impact in numbers
- 20+ Years of experience
- 30+ Countries engaged
- 500+ Projects implemented
- 10+ million People reached
