Edinburgh conference seeks inspiration from Occupy movement

Please note that the conference is now FULL, but all are welcome to the public seminar at New College, Edinburgh, 16.10-17.30.

'Occupy the Issues: Alternatives in Politics, Economics and the Media' is the title of a conference and seminar being held at the University of Edinburgh on Thursday 29 November 2012.

It is being run by the Centre for Theology and Public Issues (CTPI) at the University, in conjunction with the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) and the religion and society thinktank Ekklesia.

A year ago, on 24 November 2011, the City of Edinburgh Council became the first governmental body in the world to officially recognise both the Occupy Edinburgh and the worldwide Occupy movement.

The tents are now gone, but the Occupy movement continues and the issues remain. Scandals plague the media, politics, and our corporations, while the influence of big money within these sectors have left many questioning whether they can once again operate for the common good.

This day conference and seminar will examine the sectors of politics, economics, and the media. Inspired by the Occupy movement, which has usefully shone a light into the plutocratic nature of our economic and political life, Occupy activists and expert speakers will examine questions of how we got into our present predicament, and what options might exist for moving toward a more equal, just, and peaceful society.

Organiser Richard Davis commented: "In tandem with looking at the wider issues involved in Occupy, this conference and seminar seeks to highlight how Christian theology can make a constructive contribution to these debates."

The conference will run from 10:15 to 15:30 at IASH. An open public seminar chaired by Dr Alison Elliot, will take place at New College Edinburgh from 16.10.

Speakers throughout the day will include Simon Barrow, co-director of Ekklesia; Kathy Galloway, Head of Christian Aid Scotland'; Prof Philip Goodchild, Professor of Religion and Philosophy, University of Nottingham and author of Theology of Money (2007); Hannah Hofheinz, ThD student Harvard Divinity School, Occupy Wall Street, Occupy Boston, and Occupy AAR/SBL; Prof Jolyon Mitchell, Director of the Centre for Theology and Public Issues, University of Edinburgh and author of Media,Violence and Christian Ethics (2007); Prof Michael Northcott, Professor of Ethics, University of Edinburgh and author of Life After Debt – Christianity and Global Justice (1999) and An Angel Directs the Storm: Apocalyptic Religion and American Empire (2007); and Dr Paul-François Tremlett, Lecturer in Religious Studies, The Open University.

* The seminar at New College (Mound Place
Edinburgh EH1 2LX) is open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.

* Further information: Richard.DavisATed.ac.uk

* CPTI 'Public Faith' blog: http://centrefortheologyandpublicissues.wordpress.com/

* Centre for Theology and Public Issues: http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/divinity/research/centres/theolo...

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