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Book Launch ‘Teaching About the Violent Past’ – 9 February, SPUI25, Amsterdam

26th January, 2026 in Latest news

In this book launch, we will explore how education can contribute to reconciliation after violence. What role do teachers play in navigating contested histories, trauma, and memory in societies shaped by conflict? And what can educators in Europe, and in the Netherlands specifically, learn from experiences with teaching the violent past from Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, and Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo? 

During this event, the authors Line Kuppens and Justin Sheria Nfundiko will not only present their book Teaching About the Violent Past: Opportunities and Challenges for Teachers in Conflict-Affected African Societies, but also engage in a roundtable discussion on teacher professional development for conflict-history education, and reflect on the role of context, exploring how insights from the African case studies are relevant to contemporary European and Dutch classrooms.

Speakers

Line Kuppens is an assistant professor in conflict studies at the University of Amsterdam, and visiting fellow at the Centre for Research on Peace and Development, KU Leuven.
Justing Sheria Nfundiko is an associate professor at the Université Catholique de Bukavu and Université Officielle de Bukavu.
Bjorn G.J. Wansink is an associate professor at educational science at Utrecht University.
Lexi Oudman is a high school history and middle school humanities teacher.

When & Where

Monday, 9 February 2026, 5:00 PM
SPUI25, Amsterdam