The Democracy in Dialogue Series enables Notre Dame students to engage with expert guest speakers on key issues facing global democracy. These monthly discussions aim to help students develop as global citizens and comparative scholars, explore threats to democracy, learn from international examples, consider actions to defend democracy, examine Catholic perspectives, and discuss overcoming polarization. The series also helps students build professional networks in international politics.Peter CummingsResearch Affiliate, University of Notre DameFormer Research & Evaluation Officer, Eurasia FoundationAlumnus, Kellogg International Scholars Program Broad, diverse coalitions have proven vital in advancing democracy, resisting authoritarianism, and protecting rights worldwide. Drawing on scholarly research and case studies from regions including Latin America and the Middle East, this discussion highlights both the successes and challenges of coalition formation. The conversation will draw out lessons for the United States today, pointing to concrete strategies for strengthening democratic resilience. Peter Cummings is a political scientist with an undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame, a Ph.D. from MIT, and more than a decade of experience related to democracy, international development, and social movements. In the academic space, he has conducted original field research in Chile and Brazil and published research on political protests, democracy, and education policy. In the practitioner space, he has applied his research skills to consulting at Tironi in Chile and to domestic and international development at FHI 360 and Eurasia Foundation. For more information, visit the event page. Sponsored by the Kellogg Institute at the Keough School of Global Affairs.

Join the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art for thematic tours inspired by its temporary exhibition Homecoming: Walter Osborne’s Portraits of Dublin, 1880–1900. These focused experiences in the galleries seek to help us more deeply consider works of art in light of the central theme, “Painting Generations,” woven through the exhibition. During the tour, participants will engage with works from the exhibition as well as a selected piece from the museum’s permanent collection. Our goal is to foster a broader conversation about the connections between art, culture, and the world around us while inviting a nuanced understanding of the themes that shape Osborne’s work.Walter Frederick Osborne (Irish, 1859–1903), Mary Guinness and Her Daughter Margaret, 1898, Oil on canvas, 54 × 60 inches (137.2 × 152.4 cm) unframed,Heritage Gift, 2023, National Gallery of Ireland Collection, NGI.2023.16. Photo, National Gallery of IrelandOriginally published at raclinmurphymuseum.nd.edu.

Engage with the museum as a space for well-being and inspiration. Join yoga instructor Steve Krojniewski in the galleries to relax and recharge while surrounded by works from the collection. Mats are provided or you can bring your own. 
 Artful Yoga is free and open to all but is limited to 30 participants. Originally published at raclinmurphymuseum.nd.edu.

Experience your museum in a whole new way as DJ PB creates a new soundtrack for your art experience each month. Enjoy an evening where rhythm, melody, and beat echo the textures, colors, and emotions of the works of art on view. Come for the art, and stay for the vibe. Parking is available in the Visitor Lot immediately north of the Sculpture Park for a fee during the week (before 4:30 p.m.). Free two-hour parking is available in the Eddy Street Commons Parking Garage or along Angela Blvd. After 4:30 p.m. and on weekends, parking is free and available in any non-gated campus lot. If traveling via South Bend Transpo, take the No.7 bus and use the Eddy St. Commons stop.   Originally published at raclinmurphymuseum.nd.edu.

Learning Beyond the Classics: Voicing Intergenerational Trauma in Postwar Korea and Japan through Contemporary Cinema Directed by Isao TakahataWith Tsutomu Tatsumi, Ayano Shiraishi, Yoshiko Shinohara Not Rated, 89 minutesIn Japanese with English subtitles When an American air raid kills their mother in the final days of World War II, 14-year-old Seita and his 4-year-old sister Setsuko are left to fend for themselves in the devastated Japanese countryside. After falling out with their only living relative, Seita does his best to provide for himself and his sister by stealing food and making a home in an abandoned bomb shelter. But with food running short, the siblings can only cling to fleeting moments of happiness in their harsh reality. Based on the personal accounts of survivor Nosaka Akiyuki, Grave of the Fireflies is hailed as one of the most stunning contributions to animation and cinematic history. Deftly depicting the beauty of the human spirit as well as its devastating cruelty, Grave of the Fireflies is a singular work of art from Academy Award-nominated director and Studio Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata. GET TICKETS *Free for ND, SMC, HC, and IUSB students. **Co-presented by the David A. Heskin and Marilou Brill Endowment for Excellence, Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies, Franco Family Institute for Liberal Arts and the Public Good, East Asian Languages and Cultures, Navari Family Center for Digital Scholarship/Hesburgh Libraries.

In collaboration with the University Counseling Center (UCC) and the McDonald Center for Student Well-being (MDC), this support forum offers an open space for students experiencing concerns related to substance use and recovery, offering a practical, skills-based approach to maintenance and well-being. We will cover topics such as finding and maintaining your motivation ("why"), navigating urges and cravings, cultivating self-awareness, and integrating holistic well-being. Originally published at mcwell.nd.edu.