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University conference explores interfaith and social change
The University of Winchester is hosting a major conference next month
(6-7 September) designed to bring together academics exploring interfaith and social change.
The conference, titled Interfaith Encounters and Social Change: Engagements from the Margins, is aimed at people and organisations whose action for social change is informed by their interfaith ethic. It will invite discussion about the dynamic dimensions of interfaith dialogue and multi-faith action across a range of social change issues.
“This conference is both innovative and inclusive,” explained Dr Christina Welch from the University’s Department of Theology and Religious Studies who, together with her colleague Dr Adrian Harris runs The Journal for Faith, Spirituality and Social Change. “It will open the debate to include academic perspectives and grass root voices from both the margins and the mainstream that will allow for broad encounters about the current state and future direction of issues concerning interfaith and social change.”
Keynote speakers include Ian Jamison from the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, discussing his work with the educational programme Face to Faith and Professor Michael Northcott who will talk about interfaith ecology.
Workshops and papers will cover a number of topics ranging from global health and interfaith engagement in public policy strategies, reflections on local interfaith activity from around the globe to the roles that music and picture books can play in valuing cultural and religious diversity.
“Far too often interfaith focuses on dialogue,” added Dr Welch. “At this conference it’s interfaith doing, not just talking, that we want to explore. The world won’t change much if we just discuss things.”
More information about the conference can be found by visiting www.fsscconference.org.uk or by emailing Paul Hedges at Paul.Hedges@winchester.ac.uk