18.-22. May 2026: Circle U (Early) Summer School 2026 Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Religion, Conflict and Reconciliation: Uncovering Taboos
The VDTR is fortunate enough to team up with different Circle U partners to offer an early summer school in May 2026 in Louvain-la-Neuve in Belgium.
Conflicts take many forms – some visible and violent, others hidden and prolonged. They can be political, religious, ecological, or cultural, but they often share common features: strong identities, historical wounds, and unresolved trauma. Some conflicts become “cold,” sustained through silence, taboos, or unspoken rules (omertà), while others remain “hot,” erupting in violence or open confrontation. Religion plays a complex role – sometimes fueling division, sometimes offering tools for healing. Understanding conflict today means looking not only at acts of violence but also at the conditions that allow them to persist: forgotten memories, blocked dialogue, and the fear of naming uncomfortable truths.
Application deadline: 15 December 2025
You can find more information here.
Up to 5 VDTR PhD Candidates get travel and accommodation costs covered if selected.
