International Conference on Peace & Reconciliation
The International Conference on Peace and
Reconciliation was established in 2006 to provide a platform for
both scholars and practitioners in the fields of peace and
reconciliation. The nature of the conference is interdisciplinary
but perspectives from theology and religious studies will be
particularly to the fore. Youngnak Presbyterian Church and the
Theology and Religious Studies Section at York St John University
are co-organising the Third International Conference on Peace and
Reconciliation on the theme of ‘Building Communities of
Reconciliation, with Reflection on the Life and Teaching of Rev.
Kyung-Chik Han’ in Seoul.
The theme for the third conference is:
'Building
Communities of Reconciliation with reflection on the life and
teaching of Rev. Kyung-Chik Han'
31 October - 4 November
2010
Youngnak Presbyterian
Church, Seoul
Keynote Speakers:
Revd Dr Yonggi Cho
biography
Revd Billy Kim biography
Revd Dr Sang-Bock Kim
biography
Rev M Lapsley biography
Prof. Esther Mombo
biography
The Most Rev Bernard
Ntahoturi
Rev Dr Setri Nyomi
biography
Dr Vinoth Ramachandra
biography
Prof Iain Torrance
biography
Prof. Miroslav Volf
biography
Third Peace and
Reconciliation Conference
Building
Communities of Reconciliation,
with
Reflection on the Life and Teaching
of
Rev. Kyung-Chik
Han
31 October - 4 November
2010
Youngnak Presbyterian
Church, Seoul
For effective and sustainable peace-making,
encouraging and utilizing religious communities is vital for any
society regardless of the cause of conflicts. This recognition of
the importance of religions in conflict situations is based on some
distinctive aspects of religious communities. For example, peace is
integral to the faith and practice of most religions because, for
many believers, seeking peace is not simply a choice but is a
sacred duty, and is part and parcel of what it means to fulfil the
will of God. In this regard, religious enthusiasm and inspiration
can be harnessed to bring about peace and reconciliation in the
conflict zones, and religious inspiration and activism can be used
to encourage involvement in social justice. Religion also offers
critical reflection on the process of peace-making. Because
religious traditions provide some of the fundamental explanations
for and insights into both war and peace, utilising these resources
for peace is vital for building peace. Furthermore, religious
traditions possess unique authority and capacity among the
followers of the particular religion to prevent conflict in the
first place and to make sustainable peace and reconciliation.
The main aim of this conference is to discuss
the issues associated with building Christian communities for
sustainable peace and reconciliation. Previous themes were: ‘In
Search of Shared Identity: The Korean Peninsular and Other
Contexts’ (2006) and ‘Embracing the Displaced: Shaping Theories and
Practices for a Sustainable Peace’ (2009). As Youngnak Presbyterian
Church is marking the tenth anniversary of the passing of Rev.
Kyung-Chik Han in the year 2010, we have decided to co-host a major
conference in Seoul. Revd Han was the founder and the senior pastor
of Youngnak Presbyterian Church, which currently has over 60,000
members and 500 sister churches world-wide. As shown by the award
of the Templeton Prize to him in 1992, Revd Han was one of the most
respected religious leaders in South Korea and made a significant
contribution to the relationship between the people in North and
South Korea.
The sessions will be divided into three
areas:
a) In-depth reflections on the life and
teaching of Rev. Kyung-Chik Han
b) Case studies on christian responses to
situations of conflict
c) Christian theologies of peace and
reconciliation
For further information regarding the
conference, please contact Mrs Suzanne Parkes (icpr@yorksj.ac.uk), Faculty of
Education and Theology, York St John University, Lord Mayor’s Walk,
YO31 7EX, UK.
The cost for the conference is £150 which will include all
conference materials, dinner on 31st October, lunch and dinner
1st-4th November 2010 inclusive. You will need to make your own
travel arrangements and book your own accommodation. Booking form
Further Information