International Summer School on Religion and Public Life

This year we will meet in Birmingham, United Kingdom, one of two major English cities likely soon to have an “ethnic minority, majority”. Our particular concept this year will be emergent norms of life in multi-confessional, multi-ethnic and hence, global cities, thus our title: The Good City: Living Together Differently.

The Good City is an image that goes back millennia in the theological and humanistic speculation of all the major civilizations. Its resonances run deep within the collective images of many peoples. To be sure, the City has also been posed as the locus of evil and temptations of the flesh. The Hebrew Bible and its prophets, we recall, take a rather dim view of the City. These historical and cultural resonances are most relevant today, in an age where the City is being redefined in new and contrasting ways, not the least in terms of demographic, religious and ethnic diversities the world over. In line with our pedagogic stress on “embodied knowledge” this year’s school will study these diversities and the challenge they pose within the context provided by the UK city of Birmingham, or Brum (as it is known to its locals).

Birmingham developed as a major 19th century industrial city, with a tradition of religious non-conformity that became evident in its public life. The Quaker Cadbury family developed a famous confectionary business, but also pioneered new ways of living in the model factory village of Bournville, which was founded in 1900. The radical, but imperialist, social reformer Joseph Chamberlain was also prominent in shaping the city including, also in 1900, the founding of the University of Birmingham, our host for the Summer School. Today, the city continues to have a significant manufacturing sector (responsible for 20% of all UK manufacturing) alongside the familiar indications of postmodernity, such as shopping malls and theme parks like Cadbury World. It is home to many different ethnic groups and religious communities, including Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jewish and many varieties of Christian denominations including African Christian communities. The University of Birmingham is one of the leading universities in the UK, and the Summer School will conclude a year of activities on Faith and the City planned together with the Birmingham Faith Leaders Group.

As in the past, bringing together people from different backgrounds, countries and religions all with differing commitments, histories and dreams will enable us to achieve new insights, not only into issues revolving around The Good City—but most of all into our own perception of these subjects. The ISSRPL provides a crucial laboratory where we not only see the other and see the other see us, but, perhaps most importantly learn to see ourselves view the other. Through this ongoing challenge and critique of our own deepest beliefs, fears and prejudices, we gain new understandings and new capacities that are then translated into practice upon our return from the school.

Coming soon!