In the world that we live in, full of disinformation and sound bites, how can we promote genuine communication and encounter in all areas, led by the Spirit of Truth?
We will be looking at how we challenge the disinformation, and the divisive rhetoric that is sweeping our nation (and indeed the world).
How can we have those difficult conversations and foster positive dialogue with those coming from a different mindset.
'Dialogue is not a tactic or a tool, but it's a way of life - a journey of the heart that transforms everyone involved, the one who listens and the one who speaks'
Our keynote speaker, booked some months ago, is Andy Burnham (currently Mayor of Greater Manchester). However, as of this present moment in time, we are unsure as to whether he will be able to come (who knows, he may be making a bid to be Prime Minister by then!).
Sir John Battle (former Member of Parliament for Leeds West) will be holding an Ecumenical Conversation on Engaging with Community Groups.
Billy Vaughan, Public Affairs Officer for the Quakers, will be speaking about the right to protest and how that relates to a different part of dialogue, freedom of speech.
We have some fantastic workshops lined up based around the theme of dialogue and communication:
1. The Information–Misinformation–Disinformation Triangle (Brian O’Toole)
Young people are growing up in a world where information is shaped by social media, fast-moving news cycles, algorithms, and increasingly by artificial intelligence.
Brian O’Toole will be leading an in-person NJPN workshop, which creates a supportive space for participants to explore how information, misinformation, and disinformation spreads online, and how these forces influence people’s understanding of truth. Participants will discuss real world examples, question digital content, and examine the role of algorithms and AI in shaping what we see and share online — including who may be exploiting social media and for what purposes. Through open conversation and guided reflection, the session aims to strengthen critical thinking, digital awareness, and a shared sense of responsibility as we navigate today’s complex and rapidly changing information landscape.
2. Resilience and Dialogue in Conflict Zones (Azad Hasan)
Azad Hasan is currently Project Coordinator at the Justice and Peace Refugee Project in Newcastle. He is also a PhD candidate at Durham University, School of Government and International Affairs. His research focuses on rebel governance, civilian agency, and everyday life in violent conflict.
Prior to his doctoral studies, Azad worked in humanitarian roles within refugee camps and as a freelance journalist in conflict-affected regions. His scholarly and professional interests centre on how civilians navigate protracted conflicts and demonstrate resilience in their everyday lives. Drawing on his fieldwork, in this workshop Azad will share some of his experience with us with particular focus on authentic dialogue in everyday life.
3. Deaf Awareness: The beauty of God’s Word in Sign Language (Joselyn Taylor and Peter McDonagh)
Joselyn Taylor and Peter McDonagh of the Catholic Deaf Association https://catholicdeaf.org.uk/ will give training in Deaf awareness and on communication strategies to improve access to church community especially for those for whom BSL is their first and /or preferred language.
This workshop will be an interactive dialogue. It will be practical, with a presentation. There will be opportunity for questions and answers, lip reading exercises and the opportunity to learn some basic sign language.
4. Having difficult conversations (Fay Pretty)
PeaceJam UK https://peacejam.org.uk/ presents an interactive workshop which will explore how can we can engage young people (and adults) in difficult conversations about the local and global issues that they witness and want to address but very often don’t know how. Including topics such as diversity, tolerance, social justice, conflict, and non-violence.
We will use Lego as communication tool and share our experience working in schools across the UK, providing practical tips to take away; as well as sharing PeaceJam's education programmes and teacher-friendly resources which draw on the lives of the Nobel Peace Laureates as positive role models for our children and teenagers.
5. From access to action: poverty and participation (Liam Purcell)
Our churches are at the forefront of social action to respond to the growing scandal of poverty in the UK. But too often, churches treat people in poverty as passive recipients of charity. If we respect the dignity and agency of every person, and stand alongside people in solidarity, we can do much more to tackle the injustices that are at the root of poverty.
Hear about ‘Sharing Power to Shape Mission’ – a Church Action on Poverty programme which enabled dialogue and relationships between church leaders and church members who have direct experience of poverty. We’ll share skills and approaches that can help church projects to ensure everyone is heard and has a chance to take part.
The workshop will be led by Liam Purcell, Chief Executive of Church Action on Poverty (www.church-poverty.org.uk).
6. Language and Racism (Margaret -Ann Fisken)
This workshop examines the role language plays in naming, normalising, and challenging racism.
Together we will explore common terms, phrases, and narratives—both secular and church-based—and how they can unintentionally reinforce racial injustice.
Grounded in a Christian commitment to truth and love of neighbour, the session will offer practical tools for speaking about race with greater clarity, humility, and faithfulness.
7. Interfaith dialogue – for justice and peace (Barbara Butler)
This workshop will present interfaith dialogue as a necessary contribution towards the creation of understanding and peace between people of the world faiths in the UK and around the world.
It will enable participants to explore how to engage with people of other faiths and beliefs, to listen to other world views than their own and to share. There will be examples of good practice and a power point presentation.
8. Forces Watch (Emma Sangster)
With the international tensions and conflict of recent years, demands for more 'hard power', higher levels of military spending and preparation for war against Russia have gained prominence.
The government's 2025 Strategic Defence Review laid plans for the defence industry to become an 'engine for growth' and for the 'whole of society' to be mobilised. This workshop will look at political and media narratives around 'defence' and the role they play in normalising military approaches to conflict and discuss how we can continue to foster cooperative approaches and a wider understanding of common security.
It will be led by Emma Sangster from ForcesWatch which investigates and raises awareness about militarism in the UK, with a focus on civil society and young people.
9, Dialogue, AI, and the Future of Advocacy (Andrea Speranza - CAFOD)
Pope Francis has warned of the risk of becoming “rich in technology and poor in humanity” if we lose the “wisdom of the heart.”
This session will explore the Church’s teaching on AI and how, in a world marked by the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence, human dialogue can become a radical act for social change.
We will also discuss how, in a time of growing political tension, as people of faith, we can bridge the gap between “we” and “them,” ensuring that our message for social justice remains not only loud and clear, but above all, genuinely human.
10. A time to talk with our head, heart and hands: An OutoftheBox story (Helen Bell)
The workshop will be experiential and interactive. It will share a story on sand using simple materials from the box and natural materials.
The group will be invited to participate in the story and to seek wisdom from their own stories, the collective wisdom of the group, and to be open to new wisdom from that which lies beyond. The process is “light yet deep” as participants are encouraged to be playful and curious, whilst open to discovering new insights and “aha moments,” both for themselves and for their contexts.
Booking Information
In the spirit of inclusivity, one of the workshops will be run by members of the Catholic Deaf Association, and BSL Interpreters will be covering the main sessions. (Members of the Deaf Community will be very welcome at our Conference - please pass this on to anyone Deaf or Hard of Hearing who may like to join us).
Arrivals are from 3pm on the Friday, until after lunch on the Sunday. In the cost you get ALL meals, including unlimited tea/coffee; plus we are offering a Wine Reception on the Friday evening to open our very popular 'Just Fair' - which showcases the best in social justice organisations.
Adult places are £300 for the whole weekend, and there are reductions for children and young people, plus those on low incomes. Don't let cost put you off - speak with Sharon (admin@justice-and-peace.org.uk) as there may be some help available.
Leeds Justice and Peace Commission may also be able to offer financial support to an applicant who is living or working in the Diocese of Leeds.
If you are interested in justice and peace issues, want to talk with people who share a common interest - and really just want to make the world a better, more peaceful place, to live in - this is the place to be.
Continuing the theme of ‘Shining a Light’ on issues of concern, you are warmly invited to attend an open meeting hosted by the National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN)
There will be input from Professor Peter Jackson, Co-Director of the University of Sheffield Institute for Sustainable Food and from local community projects.
There will be opportunity for discussion about justice and peace activities from around the country, including suggestions on practical ways of becoming involved in campaigning for peace and social justice.
SPARK are offering full or part bursaries to people under 30 living in the Catholic Diocese of Leeds, with a closing date of 30 April for anyone interested to have got in touch.
‘Just Talk’
In a world of disinformation, sound bites and echo chambers, our conference will explore how we promote genuine communication and encounter through areas such as the media, arts, education, diplomacy and political engagement led always by the Spirit of Truth.
Our aims
- to increase participants understanding of how language and other forms of communication are used or misused in our current context
- to help participants challenge disinformation and divisive rhetoric, change narratives, foster dialogue and encounter, and speak truth to power.
In celebrating 60 years of Nostra Aetate Pope Leo XIV said the document
“opened our eyes to a simple yet profound principle: dialogue is not a tactic or a tool, but it's a way of life – a journey of the heart that transforms everyone involved, the one who listens and the one who speaks.”
Key details
A full or part funded bursary is available, dependent on the number of applicants
24th to 26th July 2026 title “Just Talk” at The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire
Applications for a bursary or support with travel costs must be received before the closing date of 30 April.
JUST FAIR
To open our ‘Just Fair’ on Friday evening we will be hosting a Fair Trade Wine Reception. This is a great way to get to renew old acquaintances, as well as make new ones.
There will be more than 20 stalls, with different agencies displaying resources/selling goods, as well as information and ideas about practical action throughout the weekend.
This year, there will be a choice of meat or vegetarian at all meals. We would encourage you to choose the vegetarian option if you can, following our environmental principles and in the main being better for the planet.
We do ask, though, that you make it clear when booking if you will be following a Vegetarian diet so that we can pass the information onto the Hayes. Please also advise when booking of any dietary intolerances to enable the Hayes to cater adequately for you.
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Children and young people are a vital part of the NJPN conference. There will be a programme of activities for 5 to 11 year olds. 12 to 16/18 year olds will explore the conference theme in an active and thought provoking weekend.
NJPN is committed to the protection of children, young people and vulnerable people. People of all ages and backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to attend conference.
As at mid-March, full details of speakers and workshops are yet to be published. However, the conference will be exploring
encouraging honest conversations about inequality and injustice,
equipping people to speak up in their communities,
and creating space for voices often unheard in church and society.
Use the button to book a place or just for keeping an eye out for more details about the weekend
[themify_button bgcolor="blue" size="large" nofollow="no" link="https://www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/conference/" target="_blank"]NJPN website page for the conference[/themify_button]
Always an interesting weekend. It is held at the Swanwick Christian Conference centre in Derbyshire.
If you are aged 18-30 then SPARK is offering some bursaries towards the cost of going - see the SPARK Social Justice website for more details.
This webinar is being organised by NJPN (The National Justice & Peace Network).
Why this webinar? Racism in England remains a real and ongoing injustice. Despite strong equality laws, evidence shows that racism continues to shape lives through: • Racially motivated hate crime • Discrimination in employment, education, housing, and healthcare • Disproportionate policing and criminal justice outcomes • Hostility linked to migration debates and global events
Racism today is often subtle, denied, or minimised — but its impact is real.
This webinar creates space to name the reality of racism, reflect on its roots and consequences, and explore how we can act together for justice.
Guest Speakers:
Dr. Beverley Prevatt Goldstein. Dr. Beverley Prevatt Goldstein is a distinguished academic, community activist, and pioneering advocate for racial equality in the North East of England. Born in Trinidad, she made history in 1968 as one of the first Black women to enrol at Oxford University from a mainstream British school before pursuing a prolific career in social work and education. She is the former chair of the North East of England African Community Association (NEEACA) and her lifelong commitment to anti-racism was honoured with an honorary doctorate from Northumbria University.
Richard Reddie: Richard Reddie is a prominent British author, researcher, and broadcaster specializing in racial justice and the intersection of faith and culture. He serves as the Director of Justice and Inclusion at Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI), where he oversees initiatives related to racial justice, migration, and refugees. He is a frequent commentator on the legacy of the Windrush generation and the murder of Stephen Lawrence, often advocating for the Church to act as a “prophetic voice” in the public square.
This webinar is being organised by NJPN (The National Justice & Peace Network).
Why this webinar?
Racism in England remains a real and ongoing injustice.
Despite strong equality laws, evidence shows that racism continues to shape lives through:
• Racially motivated hate crime
• Discrimination in employment, education, housing, and healthcare
• Disproportionate policing and criminal justice outcomes
• Hostility linked to migration debates and global events
Racism today is often subtle, denied, or minimised — but its impact is real.
This webinar creates space to name the reality of racism, reflect on its roots and consequences, and explore how we can act together for justice.
Guest Speakers:Dr. Beverley Prevatt Goldstein. Dr. Beverley Prevatt Goldstein is a distinguished academic, community activist, and pioneering advocate for racial equality in the North East of England. Born in Trinidad, she made history in 1968 as one of the first Black women to enroll at Oxford University from a mainstream British school before pursuing a prolific career in social work and education. She is the former chair of the North East of England African Community Association (NEEACA) and her lifelong commitment to anti-racism was honoured with an honorary doctorate from Northumbria University.
Richard Reddie:Richard Reddie is a prominent British author, researcher, and broadcaster specializing in racial justice and the intersection of faith and culture. He serves as the Director of Justice and Inclusion at Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI), where he oversees initiatives related to racial justice, migration, and refugees. He is a frequent commentator on the legacy of the Windrush generation and the murder of Stephen Lawrence, often advocating for the Church to act as a "prophetic voice" in the public square.
[themify_button bgcolor="blue" size="large" nofollow="no" link="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZNFkFgCfwo2ZtGmju5bCLNgBkZZgtsKots8uiCuaOtHm3qQ/viewform" target="_blank"]Book a place on this Zoom call[/themify_button]
The National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN) seeks to encourage work for justice and peace. The ethos is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, but many groups work ecumenically and with inter-faith partners. Key issues for the membership include poverty and inequality, the movement of people, the environment, peace and non-violence.
Much of the work of the Network links into the campaigns organised by affiliated agencies. As well as working on global issues like the cancellation of third world debt, groups and commissions around the country are involved in national and local issues such as: poverty, inequality, credit unions, housing and homelessness, supporting refugees and asylum seekers, and environmental issues.
SPARK will be sponsoring two people to attend this 2-day conference including reimbursing travel costs. Initial expressions of interest to sparks.jandp@dioceseofleeds.org.uk
Moving from ‘Just Politics’ to a ‘Just Peace’
We live in a world where many believe in the inevitability of violence as a means of resolving conflict. However, as people of faith, we believe that we have been given an alternative model.
We are to put down our swords, and live out the Gospel message of justice, peace and love.
Violence is not inevitable, there is another way. During this Jubilee year, Pope Francis urges us:
‘to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sound of arms and overcome divisions’
Working in partnership with Pax Christi, Quaker Truth and Integrity Group the Conference will explore how we build a Just Peace globally, nationally and in our own life.’ Keynote speakers to include Archbishop Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury and Joanna Frew, from Rethinking Security. Workshops, Just Fair, as well as optional activities, will provide ideas and resource to help us in developing a culture of peace.
Last week at my synagogue the doors were open I ran in and out of the kitchen and up and down the stairs I washed apples I folded prayer sheets I heard someone say ‘you’ve brought too much fruit’ and ‘no no, we did that on purpose’ and‘ is there anything I can help with?’ and ‘we don’t have as much time as I thought!’ and ‘who brought 100 loaves of challah?’ and ‘are we sure that’s enough?’ and ‘they barely fit in the kitchen!’ and ‘people are arriving!’ and a woman in a hijab covered in purple flowers and little flecks of yellow that could be bees darting between them is here and she takes my hand and says ‘Shalom aleichem’ and I said ‘Salam alaykum’ and I probably said it wrong but she smiled and went to get a name tag and more people began to arrive and some of them were Jews and some of them were Muslims and all of them were chatting and I could hear ‘Ramadan Mubarak ’ and ‘Shabbat shalom’ and‘ Shalom aleichem ’ and ‘Salam alaykum’ but so many people were talking the languages merged and were siblings again and so were we. and we go upstairs slowly side by side to the sanctuary with Hebrew across the walls and the words ‘Wait quietly for God, O my soul for my hope comes from God’ and we are not being quiet so God must have arrived along with our guests who pray with us while we pray with them and my hope comes from God but it comes from this too from my Jewish family holding open the doors for my Muslim family to break their fast without a wait and from the reminder to ‘sit beside someone you don’t know Yet’ and hearing one conversation in a mix of broken Arabic and broken English and broken Hebrew and all I can hear is ‘shalom aleichem’ and ‘salam alaykum’ and I think in this moment Peace may be upon us all. - by Cory Rich
Tim is a member of the Leeds Diocese pax Christi group and has recently stood down as chair of MAW (The Movement for the Abolition of War).
It was Bruce Kent who first got me involved in the war/climate breakdown issue. I had been a member of CND and Pax Christi since the 70s, and Bruce recruited me to the Movement for the Abolition of War committee. One of MAW’s campaigns is Climate Change and Military Emissions – we’ve made a DVD about it!
I assume everyone knows the basic mechanism of climate breakdown – if you need a refresher, view Climate Change 101 by the masterly Bill Nye, Science Guy, made in 2015. He explains it in just four minutes!
"The Earth's temperature it is estimated to have gotten 1.2 to 1.4o Fahrenheit warmer in just the last Century. Ten out of the last thirteen years were the warmest on record."
In November 2015, a group of MAW members went to Paris for COP21. This was where the historic Paris Agreement on climate change was hammered out. As we stood under the Eiffel Tower, we wanted to make sure our banner was seen by delegates and the public alike.
How does war contributes to climate change?
“The elephant in the kitchen when it comes to Climate Change is clearly the world’s military. The world spends something like 2 trillion US dollars a year on its military. At least half of that vast sum goes on military production with a massive CO2 output. The military are both a major cause of climate change and hence, of the conflicts which result from the movement of peoples as deserts spread.” Bruce Kent
The trouble is, much of this is not reported - US negotiators managed to exclude military greenhouse gas emissions at the 1997 Kyoto climate conference. In Paris 2015, it was agreed that countries no longer have automatic exemption but neither are they obliged to declare military emissions.
As Mark Carney remarked, “What gets measured gets managed” Disclosure is only the first step towards the real goal: reduction of these emissions.
How does climate change cause war?
The example of Syria illustrates this all too forcefully.
“Before the [Syrian Civil] war began, an extraordinary drought caused 75% of Syria's farms to fail and 85% of livestock to die between 2006 and 2011, according to the United Nations. That drought also triggered a wave of migrants searching for jobs in urban areas, spreading instability throughout the country… The war has killed around half a million people, and displaced around 11 million others. It has utterly destroyed the country’s infrastructure”
“Over the past 10 years, weather-related disasters have caused 220 million internal displacements – approximately 60,000 displacements per day. By 2040, the number of countries facing extreme climate-related hazards is expected to rise from three to 65, the majority of which are hosting displaced populations.”
Sometimes, we can't see the way to our destination and are beset by difficulties, but if we can just keep going, we'll get there!!
Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
If you are aged 18-30 then SPARK is offering some bursaries towards the cost of going - see the 
Dr. Beverley Prevatt Goldstein is a distinguished academic, community activist, and pioneering advocate for racial equality in the North East of England. Born in Trinidad, she made history in 1968 as one of the first Black women to enrol at Oxford University from a mainstream British school before pursuing a prolific career in social work and education. She is the former chair of the North East of England African Community Association (NEEACA) and her lifelong commitment to anti-racism was honoured with an honorary doctorate from Northumbria University.
Richard Reddie is a prominent British author, researcher, and broadcaster specializing in racial justice and the intersection of faith and culture. He serves as the Director of Justice and Inclusion at Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI), where he oversees initiatives related to racial justice, migration, and refugees. He is a frequent commentator on the legacy of the Windrush generation and the murder of Stephen Lawrence, often advocating for the Church to act as a “prophetic voice” in the public square.
Dr. Beverley Prevatt Goldstein is a distinguished academic, community activist, and pioneering advocate for racial equality in the North East of England. Born in Trinidad, she made history in 1968 as one of the first Black women to enroll at Oxford University from a mainstream British school before pursuing a prolific career in social work and education. She is the former chair of the North East of England African Community Association (NEEACA) and her lifelong commitment to anti-racism was honoured with an honorary doctorate from Northumbria University.
Richard Reddie:
Richard Reddie is a prominent British author, researcher, and broadcaster specializing in racial justice and the intersection of faith and culture. He serves as the Director of Justice and Inclusion at Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI), where he oversees initiatives related to racial justice, migration, and refugees. He is a frequent commentator on the legacy of the Windrush generation and the murder of Stephen Lawrence, often advocating for the Church to act as a "prophetic voice" in the public square.
Moving from ‘Just Politics’ to a ‘Just Peace’
How does climate change cause war?