Global Religious Trends
In our increasingly globalised world, religion is changing fast. Policy needs to keep pace. Leading experts and public figures come together in the 2014 series of WFDs to analyse the major trends and discuss their implications.
The Westminster Faith Debates are organised by Charles Clarke and Linda Woodhead, and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and Lancaster University. They take place in central London every spring, and are open to the public free of charge, bringing together leading academics and public figures to debate the latest research on religion and values.
The debates will be held at RUSI, 61 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2ET, between 5.30 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. (followed by a drinks reception).
What is driving sectarian violence in the wake of the Arab Spring?
Bassma Kodmani, Dr Toby Matthiesen, Kenan Malik, Rt Hon Jack Straw MP
Weds 12th Feb
Can historic global Churches maintain central authority or must they devolve?
Prof Allan Anderson, Prof Kirsteen Kim, Prof Sebastian Kim, Christopher Landau, Paul Vallely
Weds 26th Feb
Are attempts to promote worldwide religious freedom naïve or necessary?
Rt Hon Alistair Burt MP, Baroness Elizabeth Berridge, Prof Jørgen Nielsen, Prof Elizabeth Shakman Hurd
Weds 12th March
How can religious moderates deal better with uncompromising hardliners and the conflicts they cause?
Sir Tony Baldry MP, Dr Masooda Bano, Prof Peter Herriott, Maajid Nawaz,
Weds 26th March
Do the benefits of engaging religion for development outweigh the dangers?
Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, Robert Calderisi, Dr Elena Fiddian-Qasmiyeh, Loretta Minghella
Thursday 1st May
How has religion become an agent in peace-building in conflict areas of the world?
Prof John Brewer, Dr Keith Kahn-Harris, Jonathan Powell, Prof Ian Reader
Weds 14th May
For further details and to register for a free place please visit our website https://faithdebates.org.uk/category/debates/2014-debates/global-religious-trends/ or telephone Peta Ainsworth (01524 510826) with the name, institution (if applicable) and email address of each person you wish to register. Please also let Peta know which category you come under, e.g. Academic, Policy, FBO/voluntary organisation, religious group, media or other.
Please pass this invitation on to your colleagues and networks.
With best wishes
Charles and Linda
The Rt Hon Charles Clarke
Professor Linda Woodhead
Westminster Faith Debates