Breakout Session – Identity 3: Religion & Social Justice

Synopsis

This breakout session discusses some of the ways that religious identities inform social justice work, which in turn helps to deepen connections across various groups in society and promoting socially cohesive bonds.

Areas explored include overcoming racial and ethnic prejudice, protecting vulnerable individuals and communities beset by a lack of environmental justice, and countering radical and extremist narratives. It demonstrates examples of good practice and provide practical steps for working towards social justice from within various religious worldviews and identities.

Visual Summary

Speakers

Mr Somboon Chungprampree
Executive Secretary, International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB)

Somboon Chungprampree (Moo), is a Thai social activist working for Peace and Justice in Asia. He is a civic leader and serves on the Board of a number of international and national foundations.

Sister Julia Walsh
Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration

Sister Julia Walsh is a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration and part of her congregation’s formation team, serving women who are discerning their vocation. Along with another Franciscan Sister, she co-founded The Fireplace, an intentional community and house of hospitality on Chicago’s southside that offers spiritual support to artists and activists.

Moderator

Associate Professor Paul Hedges
Associate Professor, Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies Programme
S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Paul Hedges was previously a Reader in Interreligious Studies at the University of Winchester, United Kingdom, and has worked at or lectured in other British, Canadian, European, and Chinese universities. He is co-editor of Interreligious Studies and Intercultural Theology, editor-in-chief of the Occasional Paper series Interreligious Relations, and sits on the editorial board of a number of other journal and book series. He publishes widely in interreligious studies, religious studies, and theology.