JCM Conference 2025
Peace in a Time of Conflict

16 - 22 June 2025
​Haus Wasserburg, Vallendar
The Abrahamic interfaith dialogue has been damaged and threatened by the violent attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 and the - at the time this is being written - ongoing war in Gaza. Of course, for most Jews, Christians and Muslims whatever happens in the Holy Land has a special significance and is a challenge to their religious self-conception and ability to move forward. No matter what you call it and where it takes place, violent conflict between or within nations, peoples and religious groups is a challenge for religious communities that believe in God and God's presence and guidance in this world. How can we remain faithful to our religious commitments and obligations to promote respect, love and compassion, to bear witness to a God who cares for all of us and creation?

Both secular and religious groups in conflicts in many parts of the world have - sometimes with little notice paid by the rest of the world - witnessed and worked for peace and reconciliation. What can we learn from those initiatives and the search for peace and justice in other conflicts? (Small) groups of people have come together across religious divides and are looking for ways forward together. What are their motivations? What methods and principles have they developed? What can we absorb into our dialogue efforts?

JCM Conference 2025 will try to evaluate the experience of people who live and have lived in and through violent conflicts and address the challenges that war and violence pose to the dialogue table.

JCM Conference 2024
What is home?

5 - 11 February 2024
​Haus Wasserburg, Vallendar
According to the UN, more people are currently refugees than ever before. Natural disasters such as drought, floods, fires and volcanic eruptions are some of the reasons that force people to leave their homes. But there are also human causes, such as wars, conflicts, persecution for political, religious or cultural reasons. This always involves a great element of injustice, discrimination and contempt for humanity play a major role. If you look at their history, the three Abrahamic religions have always been confronted with persecution and eviction. And even today, religious minorities are confronted with the pressure to leave their homeland.

JCM Conference 2024 will begin by exploring from an interreligious, intercultural perspective the question what home means before trying to give some answers from the Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions to the loss of home. Through the encounter with our neighbours, how can we work together to ensure that everyone can find a home where they can live in peace and freedom?