Kindschi Symposium on Faith & Justice at Houghton University

“After Ukraine: The Future of International Order” with special guest Paul Miller, Professor of the Practice and Co-Chair for Global Politics and Security, Georgetown University

Monday, March 4, 7:30pm, Schaller Hall, Paine 214
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Keynote Address: Paul Miller (Professor of the Practice and Co-Chair for Global Politics and Security, Georgetown University), “Fighting for Hope: Afghanistan, Ukraine, and the Future of World Order”

The story of the war in Afghanistan was the story of our losing hope. Pessimism about what could be achieved became a self-fulfilling prophesy that ended in catastrophe. Afghanistan is a cautionary tale and a reminder of a perennial truth in statecraft: hope is not a strategy, but neither are hopeless plans. Statecraft must hold up a vision of peace and justice to guide war and diplomacy. Two years later, the war in Ukraine is settling into a grinding stalemate. Some in Europe and the United States are losing hope. We must remember what is at stake and why the war in Ukraine is important—not just for Ukrainians, but for the free world. Policymakers need to articulate a hopeful vision of a free world order—not as a substitute for strategy, but as a vital component of it. That hopeful vision is what makes war just: War is just if and when it serves to protect or restore ordered liberty among sovereign, co-equal nations. Finally, we must remember that vision is not achieved only by war. As Lincoln reminded us, the end of a war is only the beginning of the work to bind up a nation’s wounds. A truly hopeful vision will carry us through to victory—and then, after victory, through the long hard work of rebuilding.

*Around the Table Credit

Tuesday, March 5, 7pm, Lib 323
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“Literary Perspectives on the War in Ukraine”

A panel discussion featuring Dr. Peter Meilaender, Dr. Jesse Sharpe, and students Rachel Wells (25) and Tymofii Rozvadovskyi (26)

Hear our panelists discuss Serhiy Zhadan’s Sky Above Kharkiv and Andrey Kurkov’s Diary of an Invasion. Zhadan is a contemporary Ukrainian poet and playwright; Kurkov is one of the country’s leading novelists. Their books collect writings they published during the months following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, giving a first-hand account of the war and raising questions about the role of literature and literary artists in time of conflict.

Wednesday, March 6, 7pm, Lib 323
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“How Will the World Be Different?: A Practitioner’s Perspective”

Watch our all-star alumni panel, who came together to record a conversation about how they see the future of international order changing in their own work as a result of conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East. Guests include Chelsea Kinsman (06) who works for the US Department of State and is stationed in Jerusalem; Peter Savage (10), also with the Department of State, in D.C.; and Caleb Johnson (14), who works for the World Bank in Vienna, Austria. They are joined by current student body president Cody Johnson (24), who has won a Rangel Fellowship to support graduate study in international relations next year.

Thursday, March 7, 7pm, Lib 323
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“Between Two Worlds: A Conversation with Theodore Kuchar”

Houghton’s own Maestro Theodore Kuchar gives us an insider’s perspective on how the war is affecting Ukraine. Born to Ukrainian immigrants and Principal Conductor of the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine, Kuchar knows both the United States and Ukraine intimately. He lives and works in both countries and is in regular contact with Ukrainian friends and colleagues. Hear him share his experiences and perspective on the Ukraine War, along with what it means for music, the arts, and the broader cultural realm.

Friday, March 8, 7pm, CFA Recital Hall
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Documentary: 20 Days in Mariupol

Join us for a screening of the PBS/Frontline award-winning documentary 20 Days in Mariupol. When the war began, Ukrainian journalist Mstyslav Chernov and his team remained in the besieged city of Mariupol, which was under fierce Russian assault, documenting events there. The film provides a harrowing look at the atrocities of war. A small faculty discussion and time for Q&A following the film lets us end the week by reflecting on how Christians should respond to the evil, suffering, terror, and violence of war.

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Peter Meilaender

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