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Join us on Tuesday 4th April for the screening of a short documentary film ‘Kenyan, Christian, Queer’ based on the research of Prof. Adriaan van Klinken (University of Leeds) and featuring the Cosmopolitan Affirming Church in Nairobi, Kenya. The film will be followed by a discussion with Prof. van Klinken, author of the book and Executive Producer of the film. Popular narratives cite religion as the driving force behind homophobia in Africa, portraying Christianity and LGBT expression as incompatible. Without denying Christianity’s contribution to the stigma, discrimination, and exclusion of same-sex-attracted and gender-variant people on the continent, Prof van Klinken presents an alternative narrative, foregrounding the ways in which religion also appears as a critical site of LGBT activism. This free event takes place in Room G16, School of Religion, Theology, and Peace Studies, 6.00 - 7.00pm. Please follow the link to book.

The School of Religion, Theology, and Peace Studies were delighted to welcome the British Ambassador Paul Johnston, and British and Irish parliamentarians to Trinity Long Room Hub to reflect with Trinity students about the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.

On Wednesday 5th April, we are delighted to welcome visiting speaker Dr Adriaan van Klinken (University of Leeds) for a lecture on the interaction of Christian Imagination and African Queer Worldmaking. The lecture discusses a range of examples – of African theologians, Christian organisations, and LGBTQ activists and artists – that illustrate the potential within African Christian traditions and cultures to counter conservative anti-LGBTQ dynamics and to enable for African queer worldmaking. In short, the lecture will explore how Christianity can be utilised as a major resource for a liberating imagination and politics of sexuality and social justice in Africa today. This free event will take place in the Davis Theatre, 6.00- 7.30pm, Wed 5th April. Please follow the link for more information and to book a place.

There will be an open evening for those interested in postgraduate study with the Loyola Institute, on Monday 17th April, from 6.30 - 8 pm. The evening will include a ‘sample’ lecture and an opportunity to meet the teaching staff; this will be followed by a reception. The event will be held in the ISE-Loyola Building, Trinity College

Shared Future News has published a book review of ‘Refugees and Forced Displacement in Northern Ireland’s Troubles: Untold Journeys’ by Dr Brendan Browne and Dr Niall Gilmartin (Ulster University). The book gathers first-hand testimony from a wide range of people affected by an aspect of the Troubles which has received little attention but had major, often unseen, impact. The authors demonstrate how paramilitary intimidation can take direct and indirect forms and is still affecting communities up to the present day. The reviewer comments that ‘the issue of forced displacement is not only a matter of redressing through this thoroughly researched and well-presented publication, but with concrete public policies’. Follow the link to read the review.

Why is doing peace studies important on the island of Ireland? Several universities in Ireland and Northern Ireland offer peace studies related courses and host renowned peace studies scholars. Is the growth of peace studies connected to the history of conflict and peace on this island? How can peace studies on the island of Ireland better serve its purpose at the time of growing uncertainty on a globe with ongoing conflicts and wars? The next ISE at 50 webinar on 30 March will bring together a panel of leading scholars from across Ireland north and south to critically reflect on these questions and more. All are welcome to this free online event. Please follow the link to register.