On March 11, 2025, students from the fourth semester of the bachelor’s program in Nonprofit, Social & Health Care Management – newly titled Social, Health & Public Management since 2024 – as well as several external guests had the special opportunity to attend an inspiring guest lecture by Jeroen Dewulf (University of California, Berkeley) at MCI.
Jeroen Dewulf, Director of the Institute of European Studies, conducts research on Dutch and Portuguese colonial and postcolonial history, the transatlantic slave trade, and Afro-American cultural and religious traditions. In his guest lecture, he provided fascinating insights into the role of Afro-Atlantic Catholicism—a topic unfamiliar to many students and opening up new perspectives, particularly with regard to current developments in transatlantic relations.
He illustrated how numerous enslaved Africans had already adopted Portuguese Catholicism before their arrival in the Americas and went on to establish religious brotherhoods that served as spiritual, social, and political networks. He explained the traditions and structures of these brotherhoods and their influence on African slave history.
By doing so, Jeroen Dewulf challenged the dominant Protestant narrative and encouraged broader questions to be asked about the role of religion in fostering both inclusion and exclusion - an issue of particular relevance in today's world.
One of the key messages of his lecture was that in order to understand the present, one must first comprehend history.
The subsequent discussion inspired students and guests to critically engage with the intersections of religion, migration, culture, and social cohesion.
The lecture was creatively documented by Nicolas Bleck, educational advisor for Welthaus Diözese Innsbruck and professional graphic recorder. Through his sketch notes, he visually captured the lecture’s key points—our sincere thanks for this impressive visualization!
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"Managing the Public Interest" is the motto of the Social, Health & Public Management program. If you don't want to wait for things to change in our society, then be part of the change! We are always happy to receive applications from motivated people!”
Jeroen Dewulf during his lecture on the role of Afro-Atlantic Catholicism ©MCI
Siegfried Walch and Jeroen Dewulf during the podium discussion ©MCI
Sketch notes on the presentation by Nicolas Bleck ©Nicolas Bleck
Social, Health & Public Management | Bachelor
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