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Project

Pope Francis' 'Culture of Encounter' as a Paradigm for Social Dialogue and Peacebuilding in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

This dissertation critically studies Pope Francis’ ‘culture of encounter’ as a paradigm for social dialogue and peacebuilding in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Using multiple methodologies (contextual, hermeneutical-critical, interdisciplinary and practical approaches) this research critically investigates the nature, causes and consequences of the violent conflict in the Niger Delta and the theological-ethical understanding of the culture of encounter, and it applies the key components of culture of encounter via social dialogue (taking into consideration the African and Peace Studies perspectives of dialogue) to addressing the crisis situation. The study also sheds light on the implications of a theology of culture of encounter for the self-understanding of the Catholic Church in general, and of the Nigerian Church in particular, as an actor in peacebuilding and development processes through its double role of human rights advocacy and mediation in the peacebuilding process in the Niger Delta region and Nigeria in general.

Date:1 Oct 2020 →  Today
Keywords:Encounter, Pope Francis, Nigeria, Peacebuilding
Disciplines:Religion and society
Project type:PhD project