Dates
27 Feb 2026 - 27 Feb 2026
Times
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Join us for a discussion with Lord John Alderdice – psychiatrist, peace negotiator & key figure in the Northern Ireland peace process.
To watch the recording click HERE
Ending Wars, is central to the discussion, Lord Alderdice’s new book which distills decades of work on violent political conflict into a set of hard‑won lessons. Rather than treating war as an abstract problem of geopolitics, he approaches it through the psychology of communities, identity and trauma. The conversation looks at why some peace processes succeed while others stall, how mistrust and fear are manipulated, and what kind of leadership and patience are required to move from ceasefire to genuine reconciliation. For anyone interested in how divided societies can step back from the brink, this conversation will offer both practical insight and a deeply human perspective.
Designed for anyone who cares about peace, politics and the moral responsibilities of leadership, from students and researchers to practitioners, activists and those with a personal connection to conflict. It is a chance not only to hear stories from behind the scenes of negotiations and international diplomacy, but also to think seriously about what citizens and leaders can do when faced with polarisation and violence. At a time when conflicts dominate the headlines and easy answers are in short supply, this conversation offers something rare: careful, reflective experience combined with a determination to search for hope.