Celebrating ISE at 50 Webinar Series,

This webinar, Ecumenical Movement and Reconciliation in Ireland and Beyond is part of the webinar series to celebrate Irish School of Ecumenics – ISE at 50. The School was founded in 1970 by Fr. Michael Hurley SJ. Inspired by the ground-breaking ecumenical vision of the Second Vatican Council (1962), he opened a new window of ecumenical understanding, overcoming prevailing suspicion of ecumenism in Ireland, and other wider challenges, to see that ISE was established as a graduate institute of ecumenical teaching and scholarship, as well as dialogue and service in society. Fr. Hurley’s vision was of a place where people from diverse backgrounds and disciplinary perspectives could explore the meaning and possibilities of peace and reconciliation together.

One hundred years ago, the island of Ireland went through a process of partition creating a 26 county Irish state and Northern Ireland that remained in the UK. Although the Irish Peace Process has been considered one of the most successful cases in the world since the 1998 Belfast Agreement/Good Friday Agreement, the conflicting opinions of partition remain alive in the rhetoric of the politics, economies, cultures, and societies on the island. This ISE at 50 webinar, ‘Centenary of the Partition and a Shared Island’ explores the challenges and opportunities for greater mutual understanding, reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence of people living on the island.

In the roundtable webinar, chaired by Etain Tannam (Trinity College Dublin), we are fortunate to be able to draw on the depth of wisdom and range of expertise embodied in our contributors: Johnston McMaster (Irish School of Ecumenics), Cate Turner (Healing Through Remembering), Niall Ó Dochartaigh (National University of Ireland Galway), Mary Murphy (University College Cork), and Duncan Morrow (University of Ulster).

This webinar, ‘Centenary of the Partition and a Shared Island’ is part of the webinar series to celebrate Irish School of Ecumenics – ISE at 50. ISE was founded in 1970 by Fr. Michael Hurley, with a vision of a place where people from diverse backgrounds and disciplinary perspectives could explore the meaning and possibilities of peace and reconciliation together. ISE continues to uphold Fr. Hurley’s vision within the School of Religion in Trinity College Dublin

SPEAKERS

Johnston McMaster, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Irish School of Ecumenics; School of Religion, Trinity College Dublin

Cate Turner, Director of Healing Through Remembering; ISE Trust Steering Committee

Niall Ó Dochartaigh, Professor of Political Science and Sociology, National University of Ireland Galway

Mary Murphy, Jean Monnet Chair in European Integration, Senior Lecturer in Politics, University College Cork

Duncan Morrow, Professor of Politics, Director of Community Engagement, University of Ulster

Chaired by Etain Tannam, Associate Professor in International Peace Studies, Trinity College Dublin

Ireland, under the pressures and pearls of global movements, international agreements (and disagreements), and mixing of tribes, is rapidly becoming a culturally and religiously diverse society. As an island, Ireland is in the process of moving from a past identity of division to a newer identity formed out of sharing of values of respect and openness, richness and diversity, and better social outcomes for all citizens. Different identities, some forged in the past, others newly incorporated into the island, create diversity. Diversity has already begun to define the new Irish identity.

This new reality of diversity not only brings about many challenges, it also brings about different possibilities for how we may envisage and shape a new inclusive and pluralist society. To that end it is of paramount importance to engage in inter-generational, as well as in intercultural, conversations. We must take seriously the wisdom of the older generation which has experienced many changes, lived through many mis-steps and seen too many hopes dashed. We must also take no less seriously the hopes and aspirations of the young who have visions of an inclusive plurality because they have already begun to live it in myriad ways. Within and between these cultures and generations, there is diversity within a longed-for envisioning of a plurality that accepts others as ‘the new norm’.

This webinar seeks to contribute to this envisioning by bringing together both established and emerging intercultural experts and practitioners to create a platform for intercultural and intergenerational conversations. This webinar on ‘Emerging Irish Identities’ is part of the webinar series to celebrate Irish School of Ecumenics – ISE at 50. ISE was founded in 1970 by Fr. Michael Hurley, with a vision of a place where people from diverse backgrounds and disciplinary perspectives could explore the meaning and possibilities of peace and reconciliation together. ISE continues to uphold Fr. Hurley’s vision within the School of Religion in Trinity College Dublin.

SPEAKERS

Fadilah Salawu, Law Student and Former Chairperson of the Muslim Students Association, Trinity College Dublin

Jobin Joseph Prince, Youth Board, Dublin City Interfaith Forum

Nadette Foley, Intercultural & Refugee Programme Manager, Glencree Centre for Peace & Reconciliation

Alice Vignoles-Russell, Associate Lecturer in Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Meditation & Yoga teacher, Filmmaker

Derick Wilson, Reader Emeritus in Education, Ulster University

Chaired by Jude Lal Fernando, Assistant Professor in Intercultural Theology and Interreligious Studies, School of Religion, Trinity College Dublin

The history of the island of Ireland, which suffered colonisation, conflict, famine and mass migration, resonates in many countries affected by protracted conflict, and yet signals hope that a peace process is possible. The ongoing position of Irish neutrality, commitment to international peacekeeping, and the current role as a member of the UN Security Council, also contribute to the potential for Ireland to be put forward as an island of peace. However, there are significant internal and external challenges for the island to reach this potential. This ISE at 50 webinar, ‘Ireland - Island of Peace’, explores the challenges and opportunities for Ireland to become an island of peace.

In the roundtable webinar, chaired by Iain Atack (Trinity College Dublin), we are fortunate to be able to draw on the depth of wisdom and range of expertise embodied in our contributors: Noel Dorr (Former Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations and Former Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs); John Maguire (Professor Emeritus of Sociology, University College Cork and Board Member of Action from Ireland); Shona Bell (Programme Manager – Sectarianism, Corrymeela); David Mitchell (Assistant Professor in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation, School of Religion, Trinity College Dublin at Belfast); and Lisa Clark (Co-President of the International Peace Bureau (IPB) and the IPB Representative to the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates).

This webinar, ‘Ireland - Island of Peace’ is part of the webinar series to celebrate the Irish School of Ecumenics – ISE at 50. The ISE was founded in 1970 by Fr. Michael Hurley, with a vision of a place where people from diverse backgrounds and disciplinary perspectives could explore the meaning and possibilities of peace and reconciliation together. The ISE continues to uphold Fr. Hurley’s vision as an academic institute in Trinity College Dublin.

SPEAKERS

Noel Dorr, Former Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations and Former Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs

John Maguire, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, University College Cork and Board Member of Action from Ireland (Afri)

Shona Bell, Programme Manager – Sectarianism, Corrymeela

David Mitchell, Assistant Professor in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation, School of Religion, Trinity College Dublin at Belfast

Lisa Clark, Co-President of the International Peace Bureau (IPB) and the IPB Representative to the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates

Chaired by Iain Atack, Assistant Professor, Peace Studies, School of Religion, Trinity College Dublin

UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security emphasises the importance of women’s perspectives and gender mainstreaming in peacebuilding. The peace process on the island of Ireland has been known for the role of women at the negotiation table as well as in community relations. Women’s civil society organisations North and South of the border have been consulted in the creation of the Irish government’s successive National Action Plans on Women, Peace and Security. However, there are ongoing significant challenges for greater representation of diverse perspectives, such as gender, to be part of the key agenda for sharing this island. The consociational settlement in Northern Ireland has emphasised ethnicity over gender in politics, women continue to be underrepresented in the politics of peace across the island and current mainstreaming approaches neglect the perspectives of people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.

This ISE at 50 webinar explores the challenges and opportunities for gender and peacebuilding on a shared island. In the roundtable webinar, chaired by Gillian Wylie (Trinity College Dublin), we are fortunate to be able to draw on the depth of wisdom and range of expertise embodied in our contributors: Bronagh Hinds (DemocraShe); Georgia Knapp (Irish Secretariat in Belfast, DFA); Salome Mbugua (Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission); Niall Gilmartin (Ulster University); Katherine Meyer (Christ Church, Sandymount).

This webinar, ‘Gender and Peacebuilding on a Shared Island’ is part of the webinar series to celebrate Irish School of Ecumenics – ISE at 50. ISE was founded in 1970 by Fr. Michael Hurley, with a vision of a place where people from diverse backgrounds and disciplinary perspectives could explore the meaning and possibilities of peace and reconciliation together. ISE continues to uphold Fr. Hurley’s vision as an academic institute in Trinity College Dublin.

SPEAKERS

Bronagh Hinds, DemocraShe, co-founder of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition

Georgia Knapp, Irish Secretariat in Belfast, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Salome Mbugua, Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission; AkiDwA -The Migrant Women’s Network

Niall Gilmartin, School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences, Ulster University

Katherine Meyer, Christ Church, Sandymount

Chaired by Gillian Wylie, Peace Studies, School of Religion, Trinity College Dublin

The Northern Ireland peace process is widely regarded as one of the most successful in the world. The focus on people rather than territory inspired many other conflict-affected societies. Countless delegations have travelled to Ireland to learn about the Irish experience of peace-making. Numerous academic conferences and publications have examined the possible ‘lessons’ of the Irish case. However, in 2022, the ongoing vulnerabilities of peace on the island of Ireland are clearer than ever. Can the lessons of Northern Ireland’s own peace-making past help chart a way through current challenges?

In this ISE at 50 roundtable webinar, chaired by David Mitchell (Trinity College Dublin), we are fortunate to be able to draw on the depth of wisdom and range of expertise embodied in our contributors: Katy Hayward (Queen's University Belfast); Alex Wimberly (Corrymeela Community); Alan Waite (RCITY Belfast); Barbara Walshe (Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation); Geraldine Smyth (Trinity College Dublin).

This webinar, ‘The Irish Peace Process: A Civic Conversation on the Lessons for 2022’ is part of the webinar series to celebrate Irish School of Ecumenics – ISE at 50. ISE was founded in 1970 by Fr. Michael Hurley, with a vision of a place where people from diverse backgrounds and disciplinary perspectives could explore the meaning and possibilities of peace and reconciliation together. ISE continues to uphold Fr. Hurley’s vision as an academic institute in Trinity College Dublin.

SPEAKERS

Katy Hayward, Professor of Political Sociology, Queen's University Belfast

Alex Wimberly, Leader, Corrymeela Community

Alan Waite, Senior Manager, RCITY Youth Project, North/West Belfast

Barbara Walshe, Chair, Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation

Geraldine Smyth, Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Religion, Trinity College Dublin; formerly Head of Irish School of Ecumenics

Chaired by David Mitchell, Assistant Professor in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation, School of Religion, Theology and Peace Studies, Trinity College Dublin

In 1988, this question – Christianity discredited or pilgrim’s progress – was posed by the title of a book written by ISE’s second Director, Robin Boyd. It is a question that the churches continue to face, and, indeed, by their entrenched habits of division, it is a question that they themselves continue to pose to many on the island of Ireland and beyond. On a small island, where the legacy of settler colonialism added an ethnic dimension to denominational differences, the challenge of the ecumenical movement – the ‘E’ word – added a further source of contention in its questioning of established and sacralised identities – of denomination, class, ethnicity, gender, nationality. How might the Irish churches deal more creatively with the complex legacy of their manifest failures in a pilgrimage – here, now – of justice and peace? Is it possible to hold together a renewed understanding of the missio Dei, a repentant ecclesiology and a vision of inter-church reconciliation and just peace? And is it conceivable that the churches could find ways in which to undertake this ecumenical and ecclesiological task together, forging new pathways of prayerful thought and action at all levels of their organisation and self-understanding? What would Ireland, its churches, and Christianity as a whole, look like then?

In this Irish School of Ecumenics at 50 roundtable webinar, chaired by Prof. Andrew Pierce, we are fortunate to be able to draw on the depth of wisdom and range of expertise embodied in our contributors: Prof. Siobhán Garrigan, Dr. Nicola Brady, Rev Canon Tim Kinahan, Rev. Cheryl Meban, and Fr. Tom Layden SJ.

This webinar, ‘The Ecumenical Movement and Just Peace on the Island of Ireland: Christianity Discredited or Pilgrim’s Progress?’ is part of the webinar series to celebrate the Irish School of Ecumenics – ISE at 50. ISE was founded in 1970 by Fr. Michael Hurley, with a vision of a place where people from diverse backgrounds and disciplinary perspectives could explore the meaning and possibilities of peace and reconciliation together. ISE continues to uphold Fr. Hurley’s vision as an academic institute in Trinity College Dublin.

SPEAKERS

Prof. Siobhán Garrigan, Loyola Professor of Catholic Theology, Head of School of Religion, Theology, and Peace Studies, Trinity College Dublin

Dr. Nicola Brady, General Secretary, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland; Former General Secretary of the Irish Council of Churches

Rev Canon Tim Kinahan, Rector of Helen’s Bay St John Baptist, Bangor

Rev. Cheryl Meban, Chaplain, Ulster University

Fr. Tom Layden SJ, The Irish Jesuit Province Coordinator for Ecumenism; Former Provincial of the Jesuit Order in Ireland

Chaired by Prof. Andrew Pierce, Assistant Professor in Ecumenics, School of Religion, Theology, and Peace Studies, Trinity College Dublin

Over the last decades, several links between eco-justice, and peace have been identified by grassroots, civil society movements, policy circles, academia, and faith communities, as in the case of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) initiatives by the world ecumenical movement. As we experience the precariousness of our world, as reflected by human and ecological crises, the need for collaboration, to tackle direct and structural violence, is increasingly highlighted. However, in many conflict-affected societies, including the island of Ireland, historical and ongoing sectarianism, caused by political, ideological, ethnic, and economic divides, continues to affect our sense of solidarity in addressing these global level crises. This Irish School of Ecumenics at 50 roundtable webinar focuses on the challenges and opportunities for eco-justice and peace on the island of Ireland and beyond, and how to create a sustainable platform for dialogue and cooperation across the divides. In this webinar, chaired by Gillian Kingston, we are fortunate to draw on the depth of wisdom and range of expertise embodied in our contributors: Frances Flannery (James Madison University), Matt Williams (Jubilee Farm), Karen Jeffares (Síolta Chroí), Zand Craig (Sophoi), Jacob Erickson (Trinity College Dublin).

This webinar, ‘Eco-justice and Peace on the Island of Ireland and Beyond’ is part of the webinar series to celebrate the Irish School of Ecumenics – ISE at 50. ISE was founded in 1970 by Fr. Michael Hurley, with a vision of a place where people from diverse backgrounds and disciplinary perspectives could explore the meaning and possibilities of peace and reconciliation together. ISE continues to uphold Fr. Hurley’s vision as an academic institute in Trinity College Dublin.

SPEAKERS

Frances Flannery, Professor, Department of Philosophy and Religion, James Madison University

Matt Williams, Director, Jubilee Farm

Karen Jeffares, Director, Síolta Chroí

Zand Craig, Sensemaking Lead, RSL Partners for the World Green Building Council’s #BuildingLife Initiative, Sophoi

Jacob Erickson, Assistant Professor, School of Religion, Theology, and Peace Studies, Trinity College Dublin

Chaired by Gillian Kingston, Irish School of Ecumenics Trust Steering Committee; Vice President, the World Methodist Council

Does believing necessitate belonging? Must belonging always mean an institutional affiliation to a religious tradition? Without some kind of belonging is a faith sustainable? Do belonging and ‘going beyond’ necessarily negate one another? What do we mean by ‘not believing’? Are we being anti-religious or reacting to certain forms of institutionalised religion or, indeed, something else? The use of ‘faiths’ in the title is deliberate. The plural is broader than the institutions of religion, yet does not exclude them. As the appeal of the centuries-old, institutionalised religion in Ireland continues to dwindle, Irish society is becoming both secular and multi-religious. New ways of finding meaning in life and making ethical/political choices are emerging. These pose a challenge as well as an opportunity to ‘established’ religions. The secular and religious aspects of life, perceived as antithetical to each other, do have a faith: most, if not all, hope for an enlightened society and a liberated future. Any faith’s vitality determines, and is determined by, the way it engages with the lived reality of society.

This Irish School of Ecumenics (ISE) at 50 webinar will critically reflect on how ethical and religious traditions engage and contribute to a society growing more secular and religiously plural. Also, the webinar marks a momentous response to this challenge and opportunity: the reinvigorated MPhil in Contextual Theologies and Interfaith Relations, in the School of Religion, Theology, and Peace Studies, Trinity College Dublin.

ISE was founded in 1970 by Fr. Michael Hurley, with a vision of a place where people from diverse backgrounds and disciplinary perspectives could together explore the meaning and possibilities of peace and reconciliation. For more than fifty years ISE has developed and shaped the broad field of Ecumenics, combining theological reflection, social and political analysis, and civic engagement. ISE continues to uphold Fr. Hurley’s vision as an academic institute in Trinity College Dublin.

SPEAKERS

Adrian Cristea, Executive Officer, Dublin City Interfaith Forum

Fathima Shifana Mohamed, Postgraduate Student, Trinity College Dublin

Kathleen McGarvey, Provincial Leader, Our Lady of Apostles

Myozan Kodo Kilroy, Zen Buddhist Priest, Zen Buddhism Ireland

Andrew Pierce, Assistant Professor in Ecumenics, Trinity College Dublin

Chaired by Jude Lal Fernando, Associate Professor, School of Religion, Theology, and Peace Studies, Trinity College Dublin

Not every form of peace is desirable. Nor is every form of conflict undesirable. The prophetic disruption of the established order envisages a just peace which gives rise to a conflict based on two kinds of peace: peace based on the imperial or national state law and peace based on justice. Religion’s role in conflict and peace must be determined by religion’s political encounter rather than by some inherent moral feature of religion, and its doctrines and practices. Therefore, rather than talking about the interplay of religion, conflict and peace, it is necessary to focus on the politics of religion, conflict and peace. On the island of Ireland, what kind of politics is involved in the interplay of religion and conflict (divided past) as well as religion and peace (shared future)? How do Jewish and Christian Zionism operate not only as a theology of displacement of the Palestinians, but also as an ideological tool of suppression of the prophetic tradition of the three Abrahamic faiths? How has religious fake news in Brazil formed part of a political agenda in opposing progressive change in that country? In what way can citizens and believers counter such news religiously and politically? In the face of a rising wave of Islamophobia, is European law able to enhance everyone’s right to religious freedom and expression so that the false binary of Islam versus the West is overcome?

This Irish School of Ecumenics at 50 webinar gathers renowned scholars/practitioners from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Brazil and Palestine to critically reflect on the above questions with a view to creating space for just peace, whether on the island of Ireland or beyond. Also, the webinar marks a momentous response to this challenge and opportunity: the reinvigorated MPhil in Contextual Theologies and Interfaith Relations, in the School of Religion, Theology, and Peace Studies, Trinity College Dublin.

ISE was founded in 1970 by Fr. Michael Hurley, with a vision of a place where people from diverse backgrounds and disciplinary perspectives could together explore the meaning and possibilities of peace and reconciliation. For more than fifty years ISE has developed and shaped the broad field of Ecumenics, combining theological reflection, social and political analysis, and civic engagement. ISE continues to uphold Fr. Hurley’s vision as an academic institute in Trinity College Dublin.

SPEAKERS

Lesley Carroll, Presbyterian Minister and Prisoner Ombudsman for Northern Ireland

Michael Kelleher, Catholic Priest and Former Provincial, Religious Congregation of Redemptorists, Ireland

Mitri Raheb, Palestinian Liberation Theologian and President of Dar al-Kalima University, Bethlehem

Magali Cunha, Independent Researcher and Journalist, Religions and Politics Project/Institute for Religious Studies, Rio de Janeiro

Neville Cox, Professor of Law and Registrar, Trinity College Dublin

Chaired by Jude Lal Fernando, Associate Professor, School of Religion, Theology, and Peace Studies, Trinity College Dublin

Why is doing peace studies important on the island of Ireland? Several universities in Ireland and Northern Ireland offer peace studies related courses and host renowned peace studies scholars. Is the growth of peace studies connected to the history of conflict and peace on this island? Indeed, the Northern Ireland peace process has been one of the most researched cases in various disciplines, not limited to peace studies. What could the unique contribution of peace studies as an academic discipline be? For the founders of the peace studies courses, including the Irish School of Ecumenics, it is an academic effort to take an ethical responsibility toward research and bring about positive change, not only on this island but also around the world. The normative concern and practice orientation of scholars in peace studies are evident in their interdisciplinary exploration of the concepts of peace with justice, and their application to developing policies, strategies, and action plans. Perhaps, the aim of peace studies is to become redundant, as the motto of the ISE, Floreat ut Pereat (flourish to perish). However, despite the growth of peace studies, the process to build a more sustainable peace still appears to be fragile and unstable. How can peace studies on the island of Ireland better serve its purpose at the time of growing uncertainty on a globe with ongoing conflicts and wars?

This ISE at 50 webinar gathers scholars who are connected to the field of peace studies from across the island of Ireland to critically reflect on the above questions. ISE was founded in 1970 by Fr. Michael Hurley, with a vision of a place where people from diverse backgrounds and disciplinary perspectives could explore the meaning and possibilities of peace and reconciliation together. ISE continues to uphold Fr. Hurley’s vision within the School of Religion, Theology, and Peace Studies in Trinity College Dublin.

ISE was founded in 1970 by Fr. Michael Hurley, with a vision of a place where people from diverse backgrounds and disciplinary perspectives could together explore the meaning and possibilities of peace and reconciliation. For more than fifty years ISE has developed and shaped the broad field of Ecumenics, combining theological reflection, social and political analysis, and civic engagement. ISE continues to uphold Fr. Hurley’s vision as an academic institute in Trinity College Dublin.

SPEAKERS

Walt Kilroy, Associate Director, Institute for International Conflict Resolution and Reconstruction, Dublin City University

Maire Braniff, Senior Lecturer, School of Applied Social and Policy Science, Ulster University

David Mitchell, Assistant Professor, School of Religion, Theology, and Peace Studies, Trinity College Dublin at Belfast

Heidi Riley, Research Fellow and formerly Assistant Professor, School of Politics and International Relations, University College Dublin

Gladys Ganiel, Professor, School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, Queen’s University Belfast

Chaired by Gillian Wylie, Associate Professor, School of Religion, Theology, and Peace Studies, Trinity College Dublin