IFPNP International Dialogue by Dr. Christian Bartolf

 IFPNP International Dialogue - 

Ethics of  Reconciliation

By  

 Dr. Christian  Bartolf

January 25, 2025 4.00 pm IST@ Google meet 

 Outline of Presentation 

Ethics of Reconciliation

Recollecting the origin of some allegories and symbols of reconciliation (white dove, olive twig, rainbow), we will study a few examples of art commemorating Reconciliation (Hiroshima, Berlin, Coventry, The Hague).

Afterwards we will compare the word "reconciliation" in various languages with different connotations. These distinctions, relevant for the rule of law, will shed some light on religious myths connected with atonement, expiation, forgiveness, penance, propitiation and repentance. We will choose one or two ancient mythologisms to understand the sacrificial mechanism behind the reconciliatory process.

Gandhi's aspiration throughout his life was nonviolent, peaceful reconciliation. We shed some light on mediators on his side who supported his work of reconciliation, e. g. Charles Freer Andrews or Tej Bahadur Sapru.

It is significant that historical peace organisations chose reconciliation as their motto (e. g. the International Fellowship of Reconciliation). In Germany, for example, there are youth organisations like "Action Reconciliation Service for Peace" or the "Franco-German Youth Office" and the "German-Polish Youth Office" drawing lessons after two world wars. There are even two new research centres for Reconciliation Studies at Bonn and Jena.

The United Nations' 2024 "Pact for the Future" with the "Declaration on Future Generations" - https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/sotf-pact_for_the_future_adopted.pdf - is highlighting dialogue, mediation and reconciliation.

 

Dr. Christian  Bartolf

President , Gandhi Information Center (Research and Education for Nonviolence), a society for education in Berlin, Germany since 1993 (https://nonviolent-resistance.info/eng/aboutus.htm)

 Doctor of philosophy (Free University Berlin, 2021).

Educational and political scientist with two university diplomas

Author of exhibitions and publications (essays and books).
 

 For more information :https://www.bartolf.info/english/index.html