Marquette University Center for Peacemaking

10/16/2026

What does peacebuilding look like beyond diplomacy and conflict resolution? For Annie Boyd-Ramirez , it begins with accompaniment, opportunity, and hope. A 2007 Marquette graduate and co-founder of Programa Velasco , Annie joins host John Byrne to discuss how empowering women entrepreneurs, supporting families, expanding access to mental health services, and investing in children can help build more peaceful communities in El Salvador.

Drawing on nearly two decades of work, Annie shares the story of Programa Velasco's evolution from a small scholarship initiative to a holistic organization supporting economic well-being, trauma-informed care, and community resilience. She also reflects on the role of Marquette students, global citizenship, and why hope is not passive waiting but an intentional commitment to creating a better future. Links to listen at https://www.marquette.edu/peacemaking/podcast.php.

10/16/2026

Dr. Louise Cainkar, professor of social and cultural sciences and director of peace studies, spoke with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about false anti-Islamic rhetoric online and how the Muslim community is responding.

Muslims have been in the Milwaukee area for more than a century. They're still seeking acceptance from neighbors amid a national rise in Islamophobia.

10/12/2026

Stop by the Center for Peacemaking on your next stroll around campus if you want to see it in person!

10/02/2026

Artificial intelligence is transforming education, work, public policy, and daily life at a breathtaking pace. But how should we discern when these technologies serve humanity and when they threaten human dignity, privacy, and the common good? In this episode, host John Byrne sits down with Dr. Michael Zimmer, director of Marquette Center for Data Ethics , to explore the ethical challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence.

Drawing on decades of research in privacy, surveillance, internet ethics, and technology policy, Zimmer discusses why human judgment must remain at the center of decision-making, the importance of cultivating ethical reflection alongside technological innovation, and how Marquette's new Discerning AI Community of Practice seeks to bring Jesuit values to one of the defining issues of our time. Their conversation explores AI regulation, privacy, data centers, social justice, the enduring influence of media scholar Neil Postman, and the question facing universities, policymakers, and citizens alike: How do we harness powerful new technologies without losing sight of our humanity?

Link to listen at https://www.marquette.edu/peacemaking/podcast.php

09/25/2026

What do we owe one another in an age of migration, uncertainty, and political division? In this episode of The Need for Courage, host John Byrne speaks with Dr. Sergio Gonzalez, historian at Marquette University and nationally recognized scholar of immigration, religion, and Latino history. Together they explore the history of immigration in the United States, the role of faith communities in welcoming newcomers, the origins and meaning of sanctuary movements, and the moral questions facing communities today.

Drawing on his research and forthcoming books on sanctuary activism, Gonzalez reflects on human dignity, solidarity, and the ways ordinary people can respond courageously when confronted with injustice. He also offers a hopeful vision of education, civic engagement, and the responsibility to see immigrants not simply for what they contribute, but as fellow members of our common human family. Links to listen at https://www.marquette.edu/peacemaking/podcast.php

09/04/2026

What does it mean to live courageously in a world shaped by fear? In this episode, acclaimed actor, activist, and Marquette University honorary degree recipient The Martin Sheen Podcast joins for a wide-ranging conversation on nonviolence, spirituality, community, and the lifelong work of peacemaking.

Drawing on his friendships with figures such as Daniel Berrigan, his reflections on Mahatma Gandhi, and his engagement with the nonviolent teachings of Jesus, Sheen explores how fear often limits our humanity and how courage can set us free. He discusses poetry as a “proxy language of the spirit,” the challenges and rewards of nonviolent living, and why authentic faith must be lived rather than merely professed.

Whether discussing activism, faith, poetry, or patriotism, Sheen offers a compelling invitation to become more fully human by embracing courage, community, and the practice of nonviolence. Links to listen at https://www.marquette.edu/peacemaking/podcast.php

08/29/2026

Listen for a conversation with Fr. John Dear, peace activist, author, and Executive Director of the Beatitudes Center. Drawing on decades of advocacy, more than forty books, and a lifetime of work for peace and justice, Dear reflects on the nonviolence of Jesus, the spiritual foundations of civil disobedience, and the challenges facing peacemakers in a time of war, political polarization, nuclear threat, and climate crisis.

The conversation explores Dear's latest book, "Universal Love: Surrendering to the God of Peace," his longstanding collaboration with Terry Rynne and the Center for Peacemaking, lessons from leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Andrew Young, and Cornel West, and his hopes for forming a new generation of peacemakers.

Ultimately, Dear offers a vision of hope grounded not in optimism, but in faithfulness to the work of nonviolence and universal compassion. Links to listen at https://www.marquette.edu/peacemaking/podcast.php

08/21/2026

Listen to our new episode with renowned peace activist Kathy Kelly about the challenges and possibilities facing peacemakers today. Drawing on decades of experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti, Central America, and beyond, Kelly reflects on the human costs of war, economic sanctions, forced migration, and growing global militarization.

The conversation explores the importance of bearing witness to suffering, building relationships across borders, and embracing nonviolent action in the face of injustice. Kelly also discusses her work with Voices in the Wilderness and World BEYOND War , her experiences engaging in civil disobedience and serving time in prison, and the lessons young people can teach us about courage, solidarity, and hope.

From the realities of conflict zones to practical ways individuals can get involved in peacemaking efforts, this episode offers a powerful reflection on what it means to choose courage in an increasingly uncertain world.

Links to listen at https://www.marquette.edu/peacemaking/podcast.php

08/14/2026

Give this episode a listen! Host John Byrne speaks with Basir Bita, a clinical counselor, peace educator, writer, and longtime advocate for nonviolence. Drawing on his experiences as an Afghan refugee, mental health professional, and collaborator with Marquette University's Center for Peacemaking, Basir explores the connections between healing, resilience, and social change.

The conversation examines the ongoing challenges facing Afghanistan, including restrictions on women and girls, economic hardship, migration, and the lasting effects of conflict. Basir also reflects on the role of mental health in peacemaking, the importance of listening to one another's stories, and how communities can respond to trauma with compassion rather than fear. Basir offers a powerful vision of peacemaking as a way of living rooted in connection, dignity, and hope.

Links to listen at https://www.marquette.edu/peacemaking/podcast.php

08/07/2026

Give our newest episode a listen. Host, John Byrne, speaks with Fr. Owen Chourappa, S.J., Executive Director of the Legal Cell for Human Rights in Northeast India. For nearly two decades, Fr. Owen and his team have empowered vulnerable communities by providing legal education, advocating for children's rights, combating human trafficking, and offering free legal representation to those who cannot afford it.

Fr. Owen shares how the organization trains local youth as "barefoot lawyers" and paralegals, equipping them to educate their communities, connect families with government resources, resolve local disputes, and assist victims of trafficking. He also reflects on the importance of dignity, community empowerment, and the role of international partnerships, including the Center for Peacemaking's relationship with the Jesuits of Northeast India.

Links to listen at https://www.marquette.edu/peacemaking/podcast.php