Editorial Note This second issue of the International Journal for Peace and Public Leadership reflects the Journal’s commitment to the study of civil society’s contribution to the promotion of peace and good governance alongside state and interstate actors. That contribution is becoming increasingly irreplaceable during the current crisis plaguing international organizations, including the United Nations, with the loss of trust in multilateral institutions, resurgent nationalism, and the intractable nature of conflicts such as in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and most recently...

Introduction to the Second 2026 Issue of Voci di Pace The second 2026 issue of Voci di Pace, published by UPF Italy and San Marino together with WFWP Italy, is built around the theme “The Peace We Build”. Its central message is that peace is not simply an aspiration or the absence of conflict. It is a demanding process that begins in conscience, becomes visible through service, and grows within families, communities and responsible institutions. The opening editorial, Peace Does Not Come Without Effort, presents service, family and conscience as three interconnected...

Dr. Thomas Walsh represented HJI at the Biennial Meeting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). ATS is an accreditation body for seminaries and schools of theology from across the USA and Canada. HJI is an affiliate member of ATS. The Biennial Meeting convened in Chicago from June 23-25, 2026, and covered a wide range of topics of relevance to seminaries and schools of theologies, not least of which was concern about strong headwinds that challenges many smaller schools, related both the demographic decline in higher education and the growing impact of younger populations who...

On June 9, 2026, HJI President Dr. Thomas Walsh met with the Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations, H.E. Ambassador Lok Bahadur Thapa, who currently serves as the President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council.   Ms. Nagma Shrestha, an HJI student currently enrolled in the Master of Arts in Peace Studies and a representative of the ECOSOC-affiliated NGO, Youth and Students for Peace, also attended the meeting. The meeting focused on current affairs related to the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations and the importance of Peace Studies in advancing...

On Saturday, May 23, 2026, HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership (HJI) held its 50th Commencement in New York City to celebrate the class of 2026. Dr. Andrew Wilson, Professor of Scriptural Studies, served as Mace Bearer and led the procession into the room where the graduation ceremony was to take place. HJI President, Dr. Thomas Walsh, gave the opening remarks, welcoming all graduating students, friends, and family in attendance for this special occasion. Following the opening remarks was the invocation offered by Imam Alhassan Kamagtey, Resident...

Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett was the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate during HJI’s 2026 Commencement Ceremonies held on May 23, 2026, at 481 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY. What follows is the Commencement Address of Dr. Swett. What a pleasure it is for me to be with you today and to receive an honorary doctorate from this wonderful institution. There are few moments in life as exhilarating, hopeful, and, yes, even a little bittersweet as a graduation ceremony. It is the occasion when intellectual passion, hard work, late nights, financial sacrifice, doubt and belief, ambition, and...

Congratulations to our graduates. We are very proud of you. What you have accomplished is quite significant, and I hope that fact becomes clearer and clearer to each of you as your journey in life unfolds. Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, we are honored that you are here with us today. You delivered a brilliant and memorable commencement address, addressing topics of profound significance. Thank you for all that you have done and will do for the protection of human rights and religious freedom. And, Hon. Amb. Richard Swett, thank you for being here with us today to offer congratulatory...

On Friday, May 8, 2026, Dr. Drissa Kone, faculty member at HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership, launched his book titled Towards the Construction of the Ivorian Nation: Myth or Reality, published in French by Éditions Félix Houphouët-Boigny. The event took place at the Multipurpose Hall of the Permanent Mission of Côte d’Ivoire to the United Nations in New York, bringing together members of the African diaspora in the New York area. The event was sponsored by the Consul General of Côte d’Ivoire in New York, His Excellency Inza Camara, with the support of His...

HJI’s Faculty Roundtable Series for this month occurred on May 14 at 7:00 pm ET, The Role of Religious Leaders in Addressing Global Conflict, and was presented by Dr. Drissa Kone, Associate Professor of Ministry and Conflict Resolution. Throughout the world, there are numerous conflicts, including Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza, Lebanon, Mali and Nigeria. While we may consider such conflicts are fundamental geopolitical, there are multiple factors at play; some political, some economic, some ethnic, and some religious.  In this webinar attention will be given the role role that...