Christchurch Interfaith

Kevin Clements – Honouring the Other

The quest for respect, equality and small goodnesses in Aotearoa New Zealand

Free lecture

Although in many ways New Zealand is a well-functioning society, nevertheless it contains significant tensions. There are inequities and injustices, and on some international indicators such as the rate of imprisonment we are doing badly. The lecture draws on the wisdom of three notable thinkers to show how changes in the way we relate to others can help ease tensions and resentments between individuals and cultures. The key to equality is mutual respect, but how is this to be achieved? The lecture concludes by giving particular attention to the relationships between Maori and Pakeha, in both directions.

Professor Kevin Clements is the foundation Chair of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Otago, Dunedin, and Secretary General of the International Peace Research Association. He has been Secretary General of International Alert, and director of the Quaker United Nations Office in Geneva. He has been a regular consultant to a variety of non-governmental and intergovernmental organisations on disarmament, arms control, conflict resolution, development and regional security issues. Kevin is a member of the Religious Society of Friends.