Religion & Society
The role and place of religion in society remain a relevant topic.
We live in a super-diverse and secularized society in which religions must find their place in relation to each other, in public space, and in societal debate.
Religion can fuel personal development, spiritual deepening, and resilience. It also connects communities and it is an important factor in cultural identity.
The theme “Religion, Culture & Society” creates a space where scholarly insights about religion, culture, and society are shared. These are the themes we focus on.
Our roots in religion
We remain faithful to our Christian roots and the Jesuit tradition. With an open and positive outlook, we explore our environment, believing that the specific will help us understand the universal. Thorough knowledge of religions and worldviews is essential to participate in societal debate and to deepen one’s own spirituality.
Religion in society
Religion is more than a private matter. It can make an essential contribution to society.
In Ignatian spirituality, this is expressed with the word “magis,” which means “more” and refers to growth in service to God and neighbour.
Today, people are still searching for meaning, for something greater than themselves. Some find this in religious belief, others in art forms such as literature, music, and visual art.
By addressing these issues, UCSIA wants to:
- Promote debate on religion in the public sphere.
- Support institutional religions in their public role.
- Fulfil the need for societal and intellectual exploration.
Our roots in religion
Through lasting partnerships with philosophical organisations, we focus on recurring themes such as Jewish-Christian relations, Islam, interfaith dialogue, student chaplaincy, and heritage and mysticism.
The flagship of our activities is the annual summer school for young international researchers in the humanities. We also organise activities that respond to current societal issues such as identity, spirituality and solidarity.
Thematic focus for the coming years
Subtle languages
In a secular age, people are looking for new ways to talk about the deeper ‘meaning of life’.
These new expressions are ‘subtle’ and explore the boundaries between dependence and independence, tradition and self-design, between being addressed and speaking or creating themselves, power and vulnerability.
UCSIA offers activities on
- New cultural expressions of our relationship to the religious and transcendent.
- Subtle ethical and philosophical languages in politics, healthcare, education and prison.
