Universities as peacemakers
Harvard Divinity School (HDS) Dean David Hempton knows too well the cost of religious conflict. As a college student in Belfast in the 1970s, he witnessed the “tragedies of violence” that marked “The Troubles” between the Catholic and Protestant communities in Northern Ireland. But Hempton also saw “inspiring examples of people of faith on both sides of that division using religion to overcome violence and promote understanding and healing,” he told a crowd at HDS Monday evening. Following an “overwhelming” response to his inaugural 2012 convocation address about those difficult years in his homeland, Hempton said he began to understand “the power of exploring practical ways for HDS and the University to make even more of a difference in our world.” One of those practical exercises unfolded Monday as a panel of experts versed in religion, pluralism, politics, conflict resolution, and international peace gathered to explore how universities can help create interreligious dialogues,...