On August 4-5, 2021 at 5:00 pm. a two-day online seminar “Ecumenism and Peacebuilding: International Lessons for Ukraine” will take place. The Institute of Ecumenical Studies, in cooperation with both Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and international academic partners, intends to gather scholars and activists willing to ponder the relevance and applicability of foreign peacekeeping expertise.
Within the project, we shall organize an introductory two-day meeting-discussion, when the experts will present the situation in Ukraine, and also the international experience of the Church and religious organizations in the field of peacebuilding. The meeting participants will have an opportunity to debate and exchange thoughts regarding the prospects of the Church influence upon the creation of just peace in Ukraine and abroad.
“The role of churches and religious leaders is extremely important in creating a new approach to peacebuilding. Firstly, religion enjoys one of the highest ratings of social trust in Ukraine. This is notable in a society that generally suffers from a deficit of authority. This creates a window of opportunity for churches to act as forces of peace and reconciliation. Secondly, the churches and religions themselves would benefit from deepening their commitment to dialogue, since inter-denominational tensions occur. Thirdly, churches and religious communities in Ukraine—through their international networks, are connected to partners in countries which have vast expertise in peacebuilding and reconciliation” - Pavlo Smytsnyuk, IES director, defines.
Since 2014, Ukrainian society has been dealing with the realities of а hybrid war with Russia and Russia-backed separatists, marked by thousands of deaths and injuries, at least 1.5 million internally displaced persons, destroyed infrastructure, and social polarisation. This situation—completely novel to modern Ukraine—requires taking steps, through dialogue and academic research, in order to create a just peace, civic understanding, and lay the groundwork for the future reintegration of people from temporarily occupied territories. Due to the unprecedented nature of the situation and lack of peacebuilding expertise in Ukraine, it is important to apply relevant international experience in conflict resolution.
Program:
August 4
17:00-17:20 Dr. Yaroslav Hrytsak, a Ukrainian scholar, historian and publicist, Doctor in History, a professor at the Ukrainian Catholic University
17:20-18:00 Q&A. Discussion
August 5
17:00-17:20 Dr. Gerard Powers, Director, Catholic Peacebuilding Studies, an expert in peacebuilding in Europe, Latin America and the Philippines, professor of the Notre Dame University, USA
17:20-18:00 Q&A. Discussion
These meeting will become the starting point for further seminars on peacebuilding, that will take place online till November 2021.
Details: http://www.ecumenicalstudies.org.ua
Contact person: Iryna Kitura, irakit@ucu.edu.ua