Lecture Series

  • Mahatma Gandhi Lectures on Nonviolence
  • Bertrand Russell Peace Lectures

Established at McMaster University under the direction of the Centre for Peace Studies in order to make the value and strategies on non-violence widely known, and to develop the concept and practice of nonviolence through intellectual analysis and criticism, dialogue, debate and experimentation. Each year a respected analyst or practitioner of nonviolence, chosen by a subcommittee of the Centre for Peace Studies, is brought to McMaster to deliver one or more lectures or workshops on nonviolence.

The series is named after Gandhi to honour his role in the revitalization and development of nonviolence. Gandhi brought together East and West, spirituality and practical politics, the ancient and the contemporary, and in so doing he helped rescue nonviolence from sectarianism and irrelevance. Our aim is not to put Gandhi on a pedestal, but rather to take seriously the tradition for which he gave his life. Our inaugural lecture was given by Ovide Mercredi in 1997.

This prestigious annual lecture series is sponsored by the Centre for Peace Studies and held at McMaster University. The series focuses on issues related to the maintenance of world peace based on respect for human rights, democracy and justice. Of particular importance in the selection of peace lecturers, besides their academic depth, is their demonstrated commitment to active engagement in peace making. The presence of the Bertrand Russell Archives at McMaster led to the naming of the series, which was implemented in 1985. This lecture series is endowed in part by the Keith Leppmann Memorial Fund of McMaster University, established in 1990 by Keith's family and friends.

Past lecturers include E.P. Thompson, Mary Kaldor, Sir Shridath Ramphal, Randall S. Forsberg, Richard Falk, Elena Bonner, Edward W. Said, Vandana Shiva, Ursula Franklin, Ramsey Clark, and Kenneth Coates