The role of arts in contexts of peace and conflict was explored at The Annual Conference on 'Arts, Peace and Conflict' of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Centre for War and Peace Studies on 2nd - 4th July, 2014.

"Arts play a crucial but under-explored role in contexts of peace and conflict. They often provide unusual and complex perspectives on situations prone to oversimplification. But they also play a key role in helping people to come to terms with a legacy of violence and contributing to peacebuilding." 

The conference highlighted theoretical and practical perspectives of the role of the arts in relation to conflict and peace, thereby combining interdisciplinary exchange with creative contributions from theatre, performance, literature, visual art and many more. Experts from disciplines such as Geography, Sociology, Politics, Peace and Conflict Studies, History and Philosophy contributed with their research and insights. Key themes included the role of the arts as a forum for public participation in conflict and post-conflict societies. Geographical areas covered in paper presentations included the UK/Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Nigeria, Israel/Palestine, Liberia, Germany, Afghanistan, Cameroon, Italy, South Africa, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Chile and others. The keynote event featured Irish playwright Frank McGuiness discussing 'War and the Artist".