UWTSD Lampeter to host fifth International Interfaith Colloquium

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David will host its fifth International Interfaith Colloquium next week (July 7 and 8) bringing together faith leaders and academics from Wales, the United Kingdom, and further afield.

Delegates at the 2019 Interfaith Colloquium held in Lampeter 

The Interfaith Conference is a joint venture between the University and the Chin Kung Foundation, and the generous support of the Venerable Master Chin Kung. This year, the theme of the annual conference is “Critical Interfaith Studies: Engaging with Assumptions in the Field.” Due to the current Coronavirus pandemic this year’s event will be held online.  The annual conference is an opportunity to bring together scholars and practitioners from diverse traditions and practices in order to discuss matters of multifaith and interfaith engagement, as well as themes of contemporary relevance that are vital for peaceful coexistence.

During the two-day conference participants will deliver short presentations on the potential contribution that their own tradition can make towards inter-faith engagement and dialogue. There will also be an opportunity to discuss some of the key problems and challenges facing the world today and to chart new directions in inter-faith thought and practice.

Dr Angus Slater, Lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies and one of the conference organisers said:
“From the University’s perspective, the conference is the keystone aspect of a lot of the interfaith activities we do including things like our master level course in interfaith studies, our professional doctorate in interfaith studies and also our work in the community and our links to organisations like the Muslim Council of Wales and the Baha'i Council of Wales.

There’s a real vibrancy to religion in Wales at the moment – there’s a real push from a variety of religious organisations to talk with each other better and to come to a better understanding of each other as well.  Personally, I feel that this conference is important because I have the opportunity to meet amazing and distinguished scholars from across the globe who are all important in this vital area of interfaith work.

Although this year’s conference will be a little different, with all sessions being held online, we still expect to have the same high quality discussions. Everybody is welcome to join us for what promises to be a fascinating couple of days.”   

Through this year’s workshops and discussions, the subject of interfaith will be brought into close conversation with other relevant topics such as race, politics, war, colonialisation and much more. Please see the attached Interfaith Colloquium 2020 - Programme for further details regarding the workshops, as well as a break-down of timings.

The conference will be taking place via Microsoft Teams and is free of charge and open to all. Please RSVP and send any further queries to interfaith@uwtsd.ac.uk. Once you have confirmed that you would like to attend, we will gladly add you to the Microsoft Teams channel.

For further information about the University’s Religious Studies provision please visit our website: https://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/religious-studies/

Further Information

For more information please contact Arwel Lloyd, Principal PR and Communications Officer, on 07384 467076 / Arwel.Lloyd@uwtsd.ac.uk