St Mary’s Academics Present at Key Catholic Universities International Conference

Prof Carole Murphy, Dr Ashley Beck, and Ms Maggie Doherty from St Mary’s University, Twickenham (SMU) recently presented at a leading international conference exploring how to build resilience in solidarity with partners and colleagues in conflict zones.

The conference was led and organised by the University of Notre Dame, alongside a Consortium of ten Catholic Universities. It took place at the Notre Dame Rome campus from July 31st to August 2nd.

Professor Carole Murphy’s presentation focused on “Applying a model of cultural competency and compassionate care in fostering cross-cultural dialogue to improve the prevention of human trafficking/modern slavery from conflict zones.” Dr Ashley Beck spoke on “Catholic Social Teaching and International Relations: What a Catholic university can do.” Maggie Doherty presented on “Harnessing the power of online support communities: Implications for Catholic universities in nurturing resilience and peace in conflict zones.”

SMU stood alongside academics and administrators from Catholic universities online and in person from Ukraine, Bethlehem, Chile, Brazil, Kenya, Taiwan, Germany, the US, Australia, and Hong Kong.

The conference’s aim was to explore two key questions:

1. What are important ways universities, especially Catholic universities, through teaching and research, can contribute to cross-cultural dialogue that strengthens resilience and nurtures peace in conflict zones?
2. What are good and best practices, especially by Catholic universities, for expressing solidarity with partners and peers in conflict-impacted zones?

In response to these questions, the theme of identity and dialogue was explored. Speakers highlighted that Catholic identity needs to be rooted in sincere dialogue and deep listening. They also spotlighted the importance of giving a voice to the voiceless and the lived experiences of individuals and communities, with a number of presentations looked at how universities can help to give a voice to the experiences of vulnerable people who may not be in a position to speak for themselves. This included refugees, marginalised communities, and the dying. Delegates questioned how to undertake research that is sensitive to local contexts, guided by the Catholic principles of solidarity and subsidiarity.

Speakers also recognised the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and personal reflection, and the importance of historical memory in order to be able to better understand and respond to current conflicts.

Delegates recognised the financial, administrative, and resource constraints that many universities within the Consortium are currently facing, but were keen to share resources and capabilities and to be able to develop plans together.

The conference highlighted that one of the key ambitions of Catholic universities is to serve society and help heal the wounds and scars left by conflict. The conference ended with a renewed commitment to internationalisation and a shared vision of how Catholic universities can be beacons of hope and agents of positive change in a world often divided by conflict.