The conference focussed on the theme “Flourishing Together: Holistic Approaches to Wellbeing in Higher Education” and offered a variety of keynotes, workshops and excursions, connecting local expertise from the Low Countries with the larger European context. 70 university and university college chaplains from thirteen different countries attended the conference.
Students and Mental Health
Ronny Bruffaerts, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at KU Leuven presented the opening lecture on 16 June.
In his lecture, he emphasized that – although students experience emotional struggles more frequently than other age groups – these challenges do not necessarily lead to more mental disorders.
In order to address the emotional distress of students, he pointed to the importance of social connectedness, friendship and connectedness to the institution, and emphasized the need to develop communities of care.
Following this lecture, university chaplains Ken Hendrickx (University of Antwerp) & Xenia Geysemans (University of Antwerp) treated the attendees to a range of classics and catchy tunes from the Low Countries during the communal singing session.
Reflection
Tuesday 17 June started off with a reflection on the opening lecture: the university chaplains shared experiences from their own working context related to the mental health of students and their own professional wellbeing.
Excursions
In the afternoon, the participants chose from three excursions across the Low Countries.
The group visiting Antwerp took a stroll around the university quarter and the Beguinage, got to know the chaplains and their work at the pluralistic chaplaincy service of Zomaar een Dak at the University of Antwerp, and visited the enriching exhibition Compassion at MAS museum.
The second group drove through the Ypres Salient and was offered a compelling guided tour through the battlefields of the First World War, reflecting on the atrocities of war and its impact on so many young lives.
The third group visited the Delta Works of Neeltje Jans in Veere, experiencing nature as a source of wellbeing.
European Market
The day ended with CEUC’s traditional European Market, where participants offered delicacies from their own countries.
Visit to KU Leuven
On Wednesday 18 June, the participants travelled to Leuven, where the University Parish of KU Leuven hosted the day’s programme.
Rector Luc Sels welcomed the participants and gave the floor to Anne Vandenhoeck, Assistant Professor of Health Care Chaplaincy and Diakonia. In her keynote lecture, she presented a convincing argument for the professionalization of university chaplaincy.
Drawing on her experience in health care chaplaincy, she shared inspiring advice on strengthening the self-confidence of chaplains individually, building partnerships within their institutions and consolidating the work of the European network of university chaplains.
In the afternoon, the participants met with the health care chaplains of UZ Leuven and the university chaplains of KU Leuven to exchange experiences, good practices and challenges.
Workshops
On Thursday 19 June, the conference attendees engaged in a range of workshops on building resilience and professional flourishing at Drongen Abbey.
The impact of COVID-19 on students
Following the workshops, keynote speaker Martijn Janse, president of the Lieve Mark Foundation, provided insights into the needs of Dutch students during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the student-led research initiatives that the foundation coordinated during the pandemic and its aftermath.
His lecture was a testimony to the student’s extraordinary resilience and drive towards sustainable change in higher education in The Netherlands.
Conference dinner
The day ended with an outstanding conference dinner, provided by the catering service of Drongen Abbey.
The Role of the University Chaplain
On the final day of the conference, Hans Schilderman, Professor of Empirical and Practical Religious Studies at the Radboud University Nijmegen, advocated for a clearly defined role of university chaplains within their institutions as providers of spiritual care.
Closing Ceremony
Subsequently, university chaplains Dardan Bastiaan (Leiden University), Jessika D’haene (VIVES University College of Applied Sciences) and Renée Theyssens (KU Leuven) reflected on the insights of the past week during the closing ceremony.
Furthermore, the Low Countries Team expressed their gratitude to the CEUC board for its continued support in organizing the conference.
The conference provided strong insights into the wellbeing and resilience of students and sparked new ideas for the professional role of university chaplains, both within their home institutions and in the European network.
Furthermore, the five-day conference strengthened the ties between the European chaplains and built on the friendships and connections that were formed during previous CEUC conferences.
The next Conference of European University Chaplains will take place in Sweden in 2027.