The Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs is a center at Georgetown focused on achieving "a more just and peaceful world"1. The center runs a wide range of programming for the Georgetown community, including speaker events and a minor for undergraduate students.
History
The Berkley Center was founded in 2006 and named after Georgetown board member William Berkley. The center seeks to engage in "a comprehensive examination of religion and norms" and believes that exchanges between different religious and cultural traditions can cultivate peace2. Thomas Banchoff has led the Berkley Center since its inception3.
Offerings
The Berkley Center hosts events focusing on various topics involving religion and global affairs. Past event topics include Christian theology in Asia, former Secretary of State George Shultz's contributions to nuclear disarmament, and Jewish activism for racial justice4.
The Berkley Center operates programs focused on different aspects of religion's relationship with geopolitics. For instance, programs include "Revitalizing Global Religious and Interfaith Networks" and "Religion and the Crisis of Displaced Persons"5.
In addition to its programming, the Berkley Center also has academic offerings for students. The Religion, Ethics, and World Affair minor, run through the Berkley Center, consists of six courses spanning three themes: "Faith and Ethics in International Relations, Religion and Politics in Comparative Perspective, and Religion in History and Culture"6. The REWA minor also features a spring symposium allowing students to present and engage in dialogue about their research7.
Students can also engage with the Berkley Center outside class; the Center offers various opportunities for students to connect and engage in dialogue and examination regarding religion. Hoya Paxa features various programs allowing students to engage with their peers on issues of religion and ethics8. The Doyle Global Dialogue features reflections and social media content from students studying abroad, allowing students to stay engaged with the Berkley Center beyond the Hilltop9.
- 1Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, & World Affairs, About. https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/about.
- 2Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, & World Affairs, About. https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/about.
- 3Park, Ji-Hye. "Berkley Center To Pursue Religious Dialogue." The Hoya. 21 March 2006.
- 4Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, & World Affairs, Events. https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/events#.
- 5Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, & World Affairs, Home. https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/.
- 6Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, & World Affairs, Religion, Ethics, and World Affairs Minor. https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/projects/religion-ethics-and-world-affairs-minor.
- 7Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, & World Affairs, Religion, Ethics, and World Affairs Minor. https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/projects/religion-ethics-and-world-affairs-minor.
- 8Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, & World Affairs, Hoya Paxa. https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/projects/hoya-paxa.
- 9Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, & World Affairs, Doyle Global Dialogue. https://doyle.georgetown.edu/doyle-global-dialogue.
