Società civile, identità cristiana e costruzione della pace. Sarajevo, Beirut e Gerusalemme

How to achieve a peaceful coexistence in multicultural societies marked by armed conflicts? Diluting the differences represented by cultural identities to create a new identity, or by founding society on respect of the existing diversity? And what role does civil society have in this dynamics? The book deals with these issues by analyzing the role played by the Catholic Church in Sarajevo, Beirut and Jerusalem. Although the actors change, the political and social dynamics at local level in these cities are dominated by very similar problems and ways of interaction, starting with a general lack of confidence in those who claim a different religious and cultural identity. Divisions, boundaries and separations become institutions (legal or social) present in every aspect of life. The interesting news is that although with all the limits, intermediate bodies can play an important role in stabilizing peace. Moreover, bearers of a declared and not prevalent religious and cultural identity in society can help rebuild the social fabric by starting a message of respect to all.