Reconciliation and restitution scrutinised during workshop

Posted on June 05, 2018

The Centre for Contextual Ministry (CCM) in the Faculty of Theology and Religion presented a workshop on reconciliation and restitution on 1 June 2018, contributing to the ongoing discussions on this important subject.

This a one-day seminar was hosted by a small group of action researchers who are involved in a research project on social justice and reconciliation, hosted by the CCM. These researchers are committed to issues of social justice and reconciliation, but also to scholarly rigour and engaged research.

Dr Stephan de Beer, Director of the CCM, noted that issues of racism, economic inequalities, gender and sexual violence and spatial segregation continue to plague our society in numerous ways. “Instead of moving closer to each other as South Africans, and further away from the past, deep and unresolved wounds and anger seem to have surfaced with many people over the past few years.”

He added that it is now more important than ever that we wrestle together with these topics, if we are to be God’s healing people. “During the workshop we discerned what healing and wholeness will entail if it brings together the dual commitments to both reconciliation and restitution, suggesting that one without the other will always be insufficient and incomplete,” he explained.

Topics which received attention during the workshop include restitution, forgiveness and reparation; healing of historical trauma; restorative justice in the face of violence; and spatial justice, faith communities and restitution. The day was divided into four sessions with panellists who are seasoned practitioners in their fields, but also deep thinkers on the topics under discussion. Participants were given the opportunity to engage in critical, constructive, and transformative conversations.

- Author Petronel Fourie

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