A little over a month ago, representatives from the Westminster Justice and Peace Commission attended the annual National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN) Conference, 25-27 July 2025, at The Hayes, Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire. Two young adults from the Diocese received sponsored places to attend the Conference and recorded their impressions of the event.
The second report is by Therese (Xinnan) Xu, a postgraduate student at Imperial College, London
Peace-building Among People Like You and Me — A Narrative from the 47th Annual NJPN Conference
The 47th Annual Conference of the National Justice and Peace Network successfully commenced from Friday 25 July to Sunday 27 July 2025 at the scenic Hayes Christian Conference Centre in Swanwick, Derbyshire. Exciting discussions on contemporary topics of peace-building and conflict resolution took place, with more than 20 Christian and Catholic organisations such as Caritas, CAFOD, CHIPS, and Pax Christi participating alongside approximately 160 attendees from political, non-governmental, and charity backgrounds.
What is peacebuilding in a world that is becoming increasingly polarised, where national security is measured by war-readiness and military forces, and what is the responsibility of us Catholics? Sister MaryAnne from the FCJ Sisters in London and Sr Katrina Alton of the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace shared insights on gospel nonviolence in the opening talk on Friday, 25 July 2025.
Remembering childhood experiences of being normalised to body searches when entering public spaces in Northern Ireland, Sr Katrina reminded the audience that Jesus offers a third way where violence has become the “daily bread” for many communities. To truly see and respect someone in the likeness and image of God means abandoning military force — to “put down your sword.” She further emphasised the position of many non-violent church workers as “swimming against the waves” and opposed the contemporary governmental claim to “prepare for war, pray for peace.” She explained that in order to consciously reject violence and injustice, and to truly establish God’s kingdom on earth, community and prayer are two essential elements. “Whatever is breaking your heart is breaking God’s heart also.” She encouraged the audience to ask themselves what breaks their hearts, further emphasising the importance of community: “Connect to others—it doesn’t just depend on you.”
On Saturday 26 July 2025, workshops on climate justice, community-building, poverty, nuclear morality, LGBT+ issues, and non-violence commenced after an engaging morning panel discussion. The panel featured James Trewby, the Columban’s Justice, Peace and Ecology Coordinator and Education Worker; Andrew Jackson, Chief Executive of Pax Christi; George White, a transgender Catholic Religious Education teacher; Bokani Tshidzu, Artist and Creative Director of ART BY BOKANI LIMITED and Campaign Officer at Operation Noah; as well as Sister Katrina.
Bokani shared her story of immigrating from Zimbabwe to Britain after surviving AIDS, receiving “freedom, but not full freedom” as she saw more clearly following George Floyd’s death in 2020 and the Black Lives Matter movement. In many ways people received political freedom, but ecologically, the rights of the next generation of Britons remain largely constrained. Now, as a London-based multimedia artist and activist at Operation Noah working on climate action, she proclaimed that it’s important to understand “we’re the ones we’ve been waiting for” to take proactive steps toward change.
Concerning LGBT+ non-violence and inclusion, George gave a graceful response to James’ account of not walking away from hateful speech against the community at an event. He explained that silent opposition such as walking out of a conference may not have an effective impact on the speaker or audience when one disagrees with their views. Active change can only be demonstrated through dialogue and consistent conversation. When asked how to make peace with a church that rejects him, George answered, “Forgiveness. We need to understand that people don’t always make the right choices.” He encouraged people within the LGBT+ community to embrace their identities as beloved individuals of God: “You don’t have to worship where you are not wanted,” he declared. “We need processes for dialogue.”
Joanna Frew, Outreach Coordinator for the Rethinking Security Network, concluded the conference on 27 July 2025 by redefining national security. She highlighted England’s unique challenges in achieving just national security due to its imperial legacy, arms industry and military sales, possession of nuclear weapons, political interventionism following US examples, network of tax havens, and high carbon emissions. She also challenged the audience with difficult questions about what truly guarantees our security, and whether security can be found in power projection and dominance.
Imperialism may have shaped an unjust world system in which many of us live and from which we benefit. After the pandemic in 2020, the global situation has become turbulent, triggered by local unrest and conflicts including Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine, and peace — among the dealings of great powers and the miscellany of global organisations — seems to have been reduced to a concept used as slogan and propaganda. It is therefore increasingly important, especially for those living in the global north who potentially profit from the pain and suffering of other regions, to consciously object to injustices within the system and to constantly “choose inclusion over isolation”. “Seek ye first his kingdom, and the rest will be given to you.” The peace-building faith-based organisations, strongly supported by faithful members and volunteers, are making changes to each individual starfish on the immense sandy beach.
Amidst vast pain and injustice, much that breaks human hearts — whether climate change, people losing their homes, drug abuse, war, and violence, there seems to be very little we can do. But just like all the organisations present at the conference, and like little people, each of us who survive and thrive in this global village, we are allowed to be afraid and encouraged to be hopeful. Perhaps the best question to ask ourselves now is: what breaks your heart?
Therese (Xinnan) Xu
Diocese of Westminster Justice and Peace Commission 