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Senior French diplomat explores implications of shifting religious narratives for international diplomacy
Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) Global Institute for Strategic Research (GISR), in collaboration with the College of Islamic Studies (CIS) and College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), hosted a thought-provoking roundtable discussion featuring His Excellency (HE) Ambassador Jean-Christophe Peaucelle, Advisor for Religious Affairs with the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
HE Ambassador Peaucelle drew from his extensive diplomatic career—including past roles as France’s Ambassador to Qatar, Israel, and Turkey—to offer a unique perspective on the profound transformation of religious discourse in Western societies and explore its implications for international diplomacy and cross-cultural understanding.
Dr. Mohamed Ali Chihi, Executive Director, GISR; Dr. Ibrahim Mohamed Zain Abdelwahid, Acting Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences; and Dr. Recep Şentürk, Dean, College of Islamic Studies, then engaged HE Ambassador Peaucelle in a conversation exploring interfaith relations and the changing dynamics of religious expression in contemporary society.
Dr. Mohamed Ali Chihi, Executive Director, GISR, said: “The Institute strives to build a better understanding of the cultural, historic, political, and other related drivers of global challenges facing our world today. This roundtable exemplifies how we aim to thoroughly examine these issues with a perspective firmly grounded in Arab and regional thought by collaborating with renowned experts and practitioners alike.”
The roundtable discussion with HE Ambassador Peaucelle is one of GISR’s ongoing public initiatives aimed at fostering an environment where public policy debate can occur among scholars and policymakers in Qatar and around the world. It will continue to invite esteemed figures to host critical discussions that help channel ideas and bridge the gap between research and policymaking.
