Can We Be Civil? Prophetic Indictment and Call-Out Culture in American Public Life
The Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies is proud to be a sponsor for the upcoming lecture by Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar Cathleen Kaveny from the Boston College School of Law.
This lecture will take place on Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 5:15 pm in Heritage Hall on The Catholic University of America campus.
Professor Kaveny will be giving a talk entitled "Can We Be Civil? Prophetic Indictment and Call-Out Culture in American Public Life."
Building a World Without Nuclear Weapons: An Urgent Imperative
Register online at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6BVQy1piRsOzNOcF12pD-A#/registration
Religion and peacebuilding in the Northern Ireland conflict
As we mark the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Peace Accords, religion is often cited as part of the problem of conflict in Northern Ireland. But can religious actors also be part of the solution in building peace in Ireland?
Gerard Powers, Professor of Practice, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, will talk with Dr. Maryann Love, Associate Professor in the Department of Politics, The Catholic University of America, about the prospects for religious peacebuilding. Professor Powers engaged in peacebuilding in Northern Ireland while working with the U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference Office of International Justice and Peace.
“Nuclear Reset: From Nuclear Threats to Nuclear Peace”
How can we move from nuclear threats to more sustainable peace and nuclear arms control?
This event celebrates the book launch of Forbidden: Responding to Pope Francis’ Condemnation of Nuclear Weapons (Georgetown University Press, 2023).
The Nuremberg Principles: The Contemporary Challenges
The Nuremberg Principles: The Contemporary Challenges brings together lawyers, historians, theologians, and human rights activists from around the world. These luminaries will convene at The Catholic University of America to discuss the applicability of the Nuremberg Principles in protecting human dignity, promoting human rights, and enforcing international criminal law in the context of today.
At a time of a direct threat through Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, fundamental challenges to the international world order have once again emerged. The decision of the Russian government to go to war, and the way it has been waging this war, violates all of the fundamentals of international law and order that are reflected in the Nuremberg Principles. Not having seen a war of this size and destructiveness in Europe since World War II, it is significant to convey the message of the six million and to save lessons of history from being swept into a dustbin.
The Vatican and Permanent Neutrality: A Book Discussion Addressing the Holocaust, the Cold War, and Ukraine
As codified in the Lateran Treaties of 1929, permanent neutrality is a unique and central tenet of Vatican diplomacy. Through this lens, The Vatican and Permanent Neutrality (2022), edited by Marshall J. Breger and Herbert R. Reginbogin, traces the fast-paced 150 years of the Vatican’s spiritual and moral contributions to world affairs, starting from the fall of the Papal States in 1870 to the present day. This online event, led by the co-editors Breger and Reginbogin and featuring several of the book’s contributors, will address historical perspectives and contemporary implications of permanent neutrality, from the Holocaust and the Cold War to the current war in Ukraine. Other topics of discussion include Vatican peacemaking efforts, relationships between U.S. and foreign governments and Catholic Church leadership, and tensions between power and spirituality.
Carrying Forward Drew Christiansen’s Legacy: Catholic Social Teaching, Environmental Justice, Just War, and Peacebuilding
When Berkley Center and Georgetown colleague Rev. Drew Christiansen, S.J., passed away in April 2022, he left behind a significant legacy applying the rich tradition of Catholic social teaching to issues of peacebuilding, just war, nuclear disarmament, and environmental justice. This two-day conference will gather influential scholars and practitioners—many of whom worked for decades with Fr. Christiansen—who will honor his contributions and explore current and future challenges related to these topics. Panels will address interreligious peacebuilding, with a focus on the Middle East; just war, peacebuilding, and non-violence; current challenges in nuclear arms control and disarmament; and fostering environmental justice.
New Nukes and New Risks: The Peril of Nuclear Weapons in an Unstable World
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has pushed the threat of nuclear destruction back onto the front pages and into our collective consciousness. In reality, that threat had never gone away but had been superseded in the public mind by crises such as global warming and political turmoil.
This discussion among leading experts on nuclear weapons will gauge the risks the world faces today and in particular what Catholic peacemaking efforts – led by Pope Francis – can do. The event follows the recent United Nations review of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the annual General Assembly of the UN, which spotlighted the nuclear threat.
A Veteran's Day Out Documentary Screening
A Veteran’s Day Out tells of a British soldier’s experiences in the Korean War, and his time spent with the London Korean Hankyoreh School, where North and South Korean students come together as one. The film reveals the bonds between purported enemies and their descendants and how their lives became intertwined six thousand miles away from Korea. United in a common vision, they work to create a new future, offering the stability of peace and the hope of reconciliation.
Crossings Documentary Screening
In Crossings, a group of international women peacemakers sets out on a risky journey across the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea, calling for an end to a 70-year war that has divided the Korean peninsula and its people. Comprised of Nobel Peace Laureates, including Mairead Maguire, and activists like Christine Ahn, the intrepid team faces daunting logistical and political challenges as they forge a path with their Korean sisters toward peace and reconciliation.
Breaking the Impasse to Advance Peace on the Korean Peninsula
The Institute for Policy Research, in partnership with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, proudly co-sponsors the conference “Breaking the Impasse to Advance Peace on the Korean Peninsula” with a visiting delegation of bishops and government officials from South Korea.
Can America's Wars Be Just?
Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-California), Dr. Maryann Cusimano Love, Dr. Joseph Capizzi, and panelists will discuss U.S. House of Representatives Resolution 109 urging consideration of "Just War" principles prior to any Congressional vote with respect to a declaration of war or an authorization of the use of military force.
Catholic Peacebuilding in Times of Crisis: Hope for a Wounded World
The world is emerging from an historic health crisis that has exacerbated existing conflicts, poverty, inequalities, polarization, and threats to the environment. While the pandemic led to unprecedented cooperation and heroic responses by many, it also exposed deficits in leadership and emboldened authoritarians, demagogues, and chauvinistic nationalists. Just as the world hopes to move beyond the pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine threatens global peace in ways thought unimaginable when the pandemic began. The challenge to Catholic peacebuilders is clear: we must ensure that the post-pandemic return to “normal” does not look like the pre-pandemic status quo, or worse. That will require an integral and integrated approach to peace, development and ecology because the cry of war’s victims, the cry of the poor, and the cry of the earth rise as one (Laudato Si’, no. 49).
This international virtual conference will convene a wide range of Catholic peacebuilders – Church leaders, scholars, peacebuilding specialists and other practitioners – from around the world. It will allow participants to learn from their rich and diverse experiences in confronting challenges to peace around the world and help them discern new and creative ways to respond to the historic challenges to peace that we now face.
Plenary sessions will be in English with simultaneous translation in Spanish and French. Breakout sessions will be in English, French, or Spanish, with simultaneous translation for select sessions.
Worldwide Teach-in: Climate Justice – DC
On March 30, 2022 over 1,000 Colleges, Universities, High Schools and K-8 schools worldwide will participate in a one-day Teach-In on climate solutions and justice in the transition.
Join The Catholic University of America community to explore topics such as climate, public health, advocacy, and more.
The Institute for Policy Research is a proud co-sponsor of this event.
The End of the Pax Americana? A Teach-In on the War in Ukraine
Hear a panel of experts address the historical background, situation on the ground, religious and ethical dimensions, humanitarian consequences, geopolitical implications, and prospects for a peaceful resolution regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Zoom link for the meeting is https://cua.zoom.us/j/82082830117.
The Nukes Next Door
The Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies at Catholic University, Notre Dame University's Kroc Institute of Peace, Georgetown University's Berkeley Center, and the Catholic Peacebuilding Network's Project to Revitalize Catholic Engagement on Nuclear Disarmament will be hosting its first student discussion of the spring semester Wednesday, February 16th at 7:30 pm ET.
The topic is The Nukes Next Door and the discussion will center on pages 19-30 of the Archbishop of Santa Fe, John C. Wester's, pastoral letter on nuclear disarmament.
Please register using the link below to receive the zoom link for the session next Wednesday. The zoom link will be sent out Wednesday afternoon to those who have registered for the discussion.
Promoting Integral Human Development and Peace in the Digital Age: New Technologies in the Post Covid World
The conference will bring to light emerging moral and ethical questions related to the impact of new technologies on the post-pandemic world towards new approaches to integral human development and peace. Experts will offer a general scientific and ethical analysis along with case studies showcasing how new technologies can be placed at the service of integral human development, especially in the fields of food security, integral healthcare including fair and equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines, dignified labor, peace and security, and promotion of a communal economy. The event will raise crucial questions regarding the use of these technologies and their impact on the human being and its integral development.
The discussion will seek to expand upon Pope Francis's vision of the use of technology in the modern world: "we can once more broaden our vision. We have the freedom needed to limit and direct technology; we can put it at the service of another type of progress, one which is healthier, more human, more social, more integral" (Laudato si’, 112).
Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons from Navajo Nation to Kazakhstan:Expanding Compensation
We are pleased to invite you to continue our virtual series of monthly conversations: Creating a World without Nuclear Weapons.
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, and Veteran’s Day, the topic of discussion will be the humanitarian impacts of nuclear weapons and uranium mining for nuclear weapons production, particularly on Navajo Nation, as well as the people of Kazakhstan, and the efforts to extend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.
Beyond Crisis: Haiti's Challenges and Paths Forward
Natural disasters, assassination, gang warfare, refugees – recent news tells only part of the story.
Catholic University alumnus Drack Bonhomme, founder of Haiti's first graduate school in international affairs, discussed the enduring challenges and most recent difficulties faced by Haiti, its government, and its people. Watch or listen to the webinar on YouTube.
Creating a World without Nuclear Weapons
Dr. Maryann Cusimano Love will lead us in our continued virtual series of monthly conversations on nuclear disarmament: Creating a World without Nuclear Weapons.
Please join us for our first conversation of the fall 2021 semester scheduled for September 15 at 8:15 p.m. ET (U.S.)/ 00:00-01:00 UTC ET (US). The topic of discussion will be Nuclear Weapons and Terrorism: Learning from 9/11.
Integral Disarmament in Time of Pandemic
A webinar hosted by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development in collaboration with the Strategic Concept for the Removal of Arms and Proliferation in support of a global ceasefire.
Creating a World Free of Nuclear Weapons Virtual Multi-day Seminar
This four evening, eight session seminar is part of a larger project to revitalize and strengthen the voice of the Catholic community in the United States and beyond in the debate on nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament. The project aims to empower a new generation of Catholics – Church leaders, scholars, and students – to contribute to wider efforts to further reduce and ultimately eliminate nuclear weapons.
This seminar will provide an overview of the history, current controversies and future prospects for nuclear weapons policies. Particular attention will be given to the challenges posed by nuclear weapons modernization programs, the demise of key arms control agreements, the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and the evolving Catholic position on nuclear deterrence and disarmament. The seminar will feature scholars and practitioners who specialize in the ethical and policy dimensions of nuclear weapons.
Applicants must be undergraduate or graduate students that commit to attend the sessions, January 11 to 14, 2021. The seminar aims to increase the capacity of participants in their cross-disciplinary knowledge base and in ethical arguments for nonproliferation and disarmament. The seminar will also introduce participants to key arms control institutions in Washington. Participants that complete all sessions will earn a Certificate of Completion.