A short course in English will look at various aspects of Christian democracy, including its development, core ideas, principles and values, leading figures and its future. A discussion/Q&A session will follow each talk.

Christian democracy is one of the key ideas which shaped post-war Europe.

It is a way of thinking which is deeply rooted in the social teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. However, paradoxically, it was regarded with suspicion by several Popes in the pre-war period.

Its ethos was, for a while, deeply inspired by Roman Catholicism yet its appeal in some countries transcended religious divides. As a political ideology, it is firmly in the centre of the political spectrum, thus drawing criticism from both left and right.

It centres on the idea that the human person – rather than the individual – should be placed at the heart of the political process. Some credit Christian democracy with keeping Europe at peace in the post-War period.

However, its future now seems somewhat dubious.

The course will be held today from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector, Valletta. It is also being held on December 3 and 10.