Centre for Peace & Environmental Ethics

Aim

In 1986 professors Roger Burggraeve and Johan De Tavernier founded the Leuven Centre for Peace Ethics with a view to contribute to the fundamental ethical and theological study of the themes of war and peace. Since the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall the Centre's main focus has shifted from dealing with the question on the use of violence and the use of military deterrence by different ideological parties, to coping with the issue of peaceful multicultural coexistence and the reconciliation between different people and different religions. A lot of attention is being paid in particular to the Jewish and christian approach of the peace issue. The study of themes such as, war and peace, violence and tolerance, evil and reconciliation resounds in a multitude of scientific research projects, seminars, national and international colloquia, publications, educational activities and social services.

Colloquia

Every two years the Centre organises a colloquium on a current issue in the field of peace ethics. In the course of this, a characteristic methodology is being developed. What is emphasised here is the combination of a socially relevant scientific reflection and interdisciplinary and interreligious dialogue. The colloquia's minutes are published in 'Cahiers voor Vredesethiek'. Since the foundation of the Centre the following themes have been dealt with:

The Bible and Pacifism (1987)
The Holy War in Western Christianity, Judaism and Islam (1989)
Tolerance, Intolerance and Religion (1991)
Nationalism and Religion (1993)
Vengance, Retaliation and Reconciliation (1995)
Ethical Fanaticism (1997)
Does the Tradition of Human Rights Have a Future? (1998)
Time for Adjustment, Time for Forgiveness (1999)
Beyond the Hardening of the Hearts? Towards an ethics of non-violence and co-createdness (2003)
Interreligious Dialogue: The Dignity of Difference (2004)
When 'Love' Strikes. About Violence and Injustice in Families (9 & 10 February 2005)