We explored the intersection of ecological and theological studies at the upcoming conference titled "Ecotheology as an Academic Subject." This hybrid event, took place both online and in Stavanger, Norway, provided a platform for scholars and enthusiasts to engage in meaningful discussions about the role of ecotheology in contemporary academia and society. 75 Researchers from 27 countries participated. The presentation was recorded on video and the abstract and the videos is available to the network's members.
Here is the program as it was presented.
Welcome to a conference exploring the topic of Ecotheology as an academic discipline. 22-23 September in Stavanger, Norway.
The conference is a hybrid conference, and it is possible to participate physically or digitally. Organizers are: European Christian Research Network (WW.ECErN.org) and the research group ecotheology, Sustainability and education (EcoSE) at VID specialized university.
In this conference we will explore how ecotheology is understood and practiced in academia. We will present contributions that address history, systematic theology, biblical studies, philosophy, practical theology, religious education and didactics.
You can follow the conferance by signing up here
Program
Monday 8.30 Room1: Opening a.m Norwegian time= CEST
Short Information concerning the conference and the network and greetings:
Moderators of the main sessions: Prof. Nadja Furlan Štante, Dr. Loukas Andrianos (P), Dr Gobena Abate (p), Prof. Bredal-Tomren (p),
09.00-09.45 Room1: First keynote: Professor Celia Deane-Drummond.
Title: "Ecotheology as an Academic Discipline: Retrospect and Prospect"
10.00-11.00 Group section A Paper presentation
P= In person O=online
Room 1 Language: Eng. | Room 2 Eng. | Room 3 Eng. |
Moderator: Prof. Nadja Furlan Štante (P) | Moderator: Antonis Kalogerakis (O) | Moderator: Dr. Nikolaos Asproulis (0) |
Dr. Louk Andrianos (P) Redefining sustainability and ecological sin concepts with Ecotheology as academic curricula! | Eirik A. Steenhoff. PhD-Candidate (O): On Ecological Conversion | Dr. Victor Morales, (O) .: The outer space as the new ecological frontier: A theological and philosophical approach. |
Prof. Elisabeth Naurath (O) Interreligious Education for Sustainable Development (irESD) - an Encouraging Approach in Times of Crises | Prof. Hans Morten Haugen (O): Seeds, Genes and Genetic Information: Paving Way for Stewardship and Creativity; Any Guidance from Christian Teaching? | Ebenezer Yiwo (P) Researcher |
Dr. Noupa Paul (P) An overview of Ecotheology in theological training institutions in Central Africa: Case study in Cameroon | Dr. Abate Abena (P) Ecotheology as an Academic discipline: The Use of Ethiopian Hagiography as Material | Dr. Ritu Dhingra (O) Echoes of the Past: Uncovering Ancient Roots of Environmental Jurisprudence in India |
11.00-12.00 Break (Short lunch and coffee in Stavanger)
12.00- 12.45 Room 1: Keynote 2: Dr. Christine A Nellist
Title: “Orthodox Ecotheology: An Evaluation of Orthodox, Academic & Seminar Engagement and Examples for discussions”
13.00-14.00 Group section B Paper presentations (3 groups x 3)
Room 1 Language: Eng. | Room 2 Fr. | Room 3 Eng. |
Moderator: Moderator: Dr. Abate Gobena (P) | Moderator: Prof. Frederique Brossard Børhaug (P) | Moderator: Prof. Elisabeth Naurath (O) |
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Dr. Beth Elness-Hanson (P) Context Matters for Transformational Ecotheology: | Dr. Jean Patrick Nkolo Fanga (P) La désertification au Maroc et le rôle des communautés religieuses Desertification in Morocco and the role of people of faith in the response | Prof. Marius Timmann Mjaaland (O): Creation in Deep Time |
Dr. Zoran Turza (O) : Innovating Ecotheological Education: Two Course Models in Higher Education | Prof. Ngirinshuti Marcel (O) Ecotheologie dans la formation pastorale en Afrique: opportunités, difficultés et orientations pratiques | Aksel-Johan Lund, PhD- candidate (P) Friend or Foe? The Relationship Between Animal Theology and Ecotheology in Contemporary Theology
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Prof. Tom S. Bredal (P) Tomren: Ecotheology as an academic discipline- experiences from Norway | Dr. Roger M. Rubunguzo (O): Habiter la terre et "etre-avec".
| Prof. Knut Alfsvaag (P) Incarnation as the goal of creation: On the ecological significance of a Christocentric world view |
14.15- 14.45 Discussions – Eng. Room 1 (Breakout rooms) -Fr. Room 2
15.00 -15.45 Room 1: Keynote 3: Professor Niels Gregersen
Titel: “Deep Incarnation and ecology”
16.00-17.00 Summary from the different room’s day 1by moderators and information in plenary – Room 1
19.30 (In Stavanger: Dinner)
Tuesday
08.30-09.15 Rom 1: Keynote 4: Prof. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm
Title: Will be announced
09.30 - 10.30 Paper presentations D (3 groups x 3 = 9: D1; D2; D3
Room 1 Language EN | Room 2 FR | Room 3 EN. |
Moderator: Prof. Knut Alfsvaag (P) | Moderator: Dr. Louk Andrianos (P) | Moderator: (O): Eirik A. Steenhoff. PhD-Candidate (O): |
Prof. Nadja Furlan Štante (P) Is Western Christian (P) Ecotheology listening to the Ecotheological Perspectives and Practices of the Global South? | Dr. Kuate Djilo C. Hervé (O) Écothéologie et spiritualité africaine (bamiléké) | Dr. Michael Jemphrey (O) When Words Shape the Earth: Translation, Worldviews, and Creation Care |
Dr. Tamas Kodacsy (O) Theological Biodirsity – What Can We Learn from Biological Diversity in Social Context? | Dr, Paul Deouyo (O) Mang-Djala ; Une approche autochtone de Cameroun | Fr. Garen Yosulkanian (O) MA Ecotheology in the Armenian Liturgy |
Prof. Tobias Häner (O) Ecology of Transfiguration: Perspectives on Orthodox Theology of Creation | Prof. Marcel Ngirinshuti Prof.Tom Sverre Bredal-Tomren (O//P) Écothéologie et crise environnementale en Afrique - État des lieux - enjeux et perspectives (présentation d'un manuel | Prof. Daniel Nii Aboagye Aryeh (O) Ecotheological component within a socio-rhetorical framework for Luke 13:6-9: Social and Cultural Analysis |
10.30 -12.00 Break/ In Stavanger: Sermon Creation Day/ Lunch
12.00- 12.45 Keynote 5 Room 1 Martin Palmer.
Title: “Confounding the sceptics – the rise of the world’s largest civil society environmental movement – faiths.”
13.00- 14.00. Group section e Paper présentations etc.
Room 1: Scandinavian Langue | Room 2 EN. | Room 3 EN |
Moderator: | Moderator: Dr. Tamas Kodacsy (O) Dir. | Moderator : Prof. Nadja Furlan Štante (P) |
Dr. Gunnar Innerdal (P) Synd, økologi og klima | Daria Kuznetsova (O) Southern Siberian shamanism and it's role in ecological discourse in resource management politics in Russian Federation. | Discussion room. What is ecotheology, what should it be, and what is needed to promote ecotheology in academia and in the churches? |
Dr. Hans Kolstad (O): Norske naturfilosofer. En 50-årig uavbrutt tradisjon. [Norwegian uninterrupted tradition] natural philosophers. A 50-year | Prof. Ninna Edgardh (O) Boundaries as blessings - exhaustion of creation as a concern for Christian congregations | As above |
Prof. Anne Rebecca Solevåg, Prof. Retief Muller og Tom S. Prof. Bredal- Tomren AKTEOL (P) : Studentaktiv økoteologi; læring som krysser ekvator | Adrian Shaw. (O) Phd. Stud. The Ecotheology of Improvement: Religion and the Environment in the Statistical Account of Scotland (1790-1797) | As above |
14.15-15.15 Keynote 6: Professor Ernst Conradie: "From the Theological Encyclopedia to Doing Ecotheology: On Finding and Losing the Way"
15.15-15.45: Final discussion: The path forward for the profession and the network? Plenary + breakout rooms
The goal is to increase insight in how higher education in theology and religion interprets and understands its role in the anthropocene and how this influences the institutions' strategies, curricula, and practices.
Another goal is to build a network (www.ECErN.org) between researchers and educators who are interested in the topic and to connect researchers closer to the church network ECEN.org, which has existed for 25 years .
Submitted papers will be evaluated and those who are accepted will have their work presented during the conference, either in the main section or in sub-sessions. Work is underway to find a suitable scientific publication channel where selected contributions can be published after the conference.
Some of the Keynote speakers will be Dr. Christine A Nellist, Dr. Celia- Deane-Drummond , Martin Palmer. Dr. Niels Henrik Gregersen, Dr. Ernst Conradie and Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm. The rest of the speakers will be announced later.
The conference will be free of charge, but participants must pay for their own food, accommodation and .excursions
Paper submissions and registration will open on 20 May. The deadline for submitting papers is 1, September. Papers will be assessed on a rolling basis. Registration is binding and the organizers will be helpful in finding suitable accommodation options in various price ranges.It is also possible to participate without presenting a paper.
The final program will be presented here when it is finalized.
For those who participate physically, trips will be arranged in the magnificent Norwegian fjords.