Workshop session “The Role of Religion and Identity in Conflict and Peace: Lessons from Northern Ireland”
Admission free – Registration at: jp2studies@pust.it
Limited number of seats
Overview
This insightful workshop, coorganized by the St. John Paul II Institute of Culture in partnership with the Centre for Democracy and Peace, will explore the complex interplay between religious identity and political conflict, using Northern Ireland as a case study. It will also examine how deeply entrenched religious and cultural identities, when approached with the empathetic appreciation, can serve as a foundation for peace and offer valuable perspectives for others around the globe grappling with similar challenges.
Running order
14:30 – 14:35 Opening Remarks
14:35 – 15:00 Introduction to the Northern Ireland Peace Process – Eva Grosman, CEO of Centre for Democracy and Peace
15:00 – 15:30 Religion’s Role in Peace and Conflict – John, Lord Alderdice, Senior Research Fellow at Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford
15:30 – 15:45 Comfort Break
15:45 – 16:15 Religion and Identity in a Changing Ireland – Zachary Hutchinson, Programme Manager of Centre for Democracy and Peace
16:15 – 17:15 Workshop
17:15 – 17:30 Closing Remarks – John, Lord Alderdice and Dariusz Karłowicz
Speakers
John, Lord Alderdice FRCPsych
A Liberal Democrat member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom since 1996, Lord Alderdice is a member of the select committee of the House of Lords on International Relations and Defence. As leader of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, he played a significant role in the talks on Northern Ireland including negotiation of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and was appointed the first Speaker of the new Northern Ireland Assembly. Formerly a consultant psychiatrist and senior lecturer in Psychotherapy at Ǫueen’s University, Belfast, Alderdice is currently a senior research fellow at Harris Manchester College, Oxford. His research interests include the individual and group psychology of violent political conflict and the psychology of religious fundamentalism. He travels extensively to speak, consult, negotiate and work on the resolution of violent political conflict in various parts of the world, with a particular focus on the Middle East.
Eva Grosman
Eva Grosman holds a Masters-level Post-Graduate Diploma in Strategy and Innovation from the University of Oxford and is a recipient of the Spirit of Washington Ireland Award honouring exceptional leaders from Northern Ireland and Ireland. As head of programmes at the Northern Ireland Assembly Legislative Strengthening Trust, she developed and implemented Politics Plus, a capacity building programme designed to enhance skills and effectiveness of those involved in political and public life in Northern Ireland. Originally from Poland, Eva has delivered several cultural diplomacy programmes across Poland, Ireland and the UK.
Zachary Hutchinson
Zachary Hutchinson is a recent award-winning graduate of the University of St Andrews, reading Biblical Studies and specialising in the New Testament. With an educational background in research and writing, Zachary continues to apply his skills through his current role. One such example is his involvement in developing the Good Friday Agreement Online Course: an interactive, introductory course to the Agreement that helps students around the globe explore and evaluate its successes, failures, and lessons. Having lived in Northern Ireland his entire life, Zachary’s current research interests include identity shifts in Northern Irish society, the role of religion in the region, and future constitutional arrangements.
