Though the economy has trumped all other issues in this election season, a diverse coalition of policy leaders thinks improving U.S.-Muslim relations is still one of the most important issues facing the world. Formed by the Search for Common Ground and the Consensus Building Institute, the U.S. Muslim Engagement Project boasts a leadership group that includes former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, and Richard Land, President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. Their collective report, Changing Course: A New Direction for U.S. Relations with the Muslim World, addresses the root causes of conflicts between the U.S. and the Muslim world and recommends comprehensive strategies and solutions for addressing these problems. In addition, it offers a call to action for the next U.S. President.
Report on U.S.-Relations: The Essentials
The report focuses on diplomacy, governance, and economics as means to find shared concerns and solutions. Many Muslims view the U.S. as a major role player in the problems experience recently by the Muslim world, whether it be the 2003 invasion of Iraq or support for autocratic dictators and military regimes. Thus, the report emphasizes that U.S. and Muslim leaders should show strong leadership in implementing the suggestions of the group. But governments must also work closely with the private and nonprofit sectors to promote a comprehensive approach. This approach includes efforts in public and cultural diplomacy, whether in education or the arts, to name a couple of examples. Muslim-Americans are among the key constituents for bringing public diplomacy to life.
The report's suggestions include departures from Bush administration policies, such as directly engaging with Iran and ending all forms of torture. The overarching goals of the report are to reduce mistrust between the U.S. and the Muslim world and to decrease the influence of extremist groups.
The Search for Common Ground: Problem-solving for 26 Years
Founded in 1982, the Search for Common Ground is a nonprofit whose mission is to "work with local partners to find culturally appropriate means to strengthen societies' capacity to deal with conflicts constructively: to understand the differences and act on the commonalities." Some of their most significant work has involved cultural and educational exchanges between the U.S. and Iran, especially under Iranian President Khatami's presidency from 1997--2005. With headquarters in Washington, D.C., and offices around the world, they are a leading force for conflict negotiation and U.S.-Muslim relations.
Sources
The Search for Common Ground website
U.S. Muslim Engagement Project Website
 |
