International Conference for Religious Dialogue and Cooperation

1st European Conference for Religious
Dialogue and Cooperation

October 14-17, 2019 Struga, North Macedonia

THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN PEACE AND CONFLICT

One of the key questions that contemporary sociology is faced is what exactly is the role of different religions when conflicts emerged between civilizations, ethnic groups and states? How do religious individuals and groups use their power in a development tending toward either peace or conflict? Sociological, philosophical, anthropological, historical, psychological and theological approaches are welcome in this Conference to contribute in an attempt to answer on these questions.

PROGRAM

Opening of the Conference

(CONGRESS HALL)

SPEECHES

19.00 Arber Ademi, Minister of Education and Science of R. North Macedonia

19.10 Nikola Jankulovski, Rector of the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje

19.20 Ratko Duev, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje

19.30 Aleksandar Krzalovski, First Executive director of the Macedonian Centre for International Cooperation

19.40 Darijan Sotirovski, Director of the Committee on Relations with Religious Communities and Religious Groups

INTRODUCTORY PRESENTATION

20.00 Zoran Matevski, Director of the Centre for Intercultural Studies and Research

20.30 Welcome Reception 

Each participant has 15 minutes for their presentation. The end of each session is followed by a discussion of at least 30 minutes.

 08.00 – 09.00

Registration of participants

 09.00 – 11.00

Working session I (PIANO HALL)

 Moderator: Niezgoda Marian / Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland

 ”Us and the Others” – Ancient Religious Traditions in the Balkans and the Problem of Contemporary Religions / Duev Ratko, Manasievska Marija / Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje, UKIM, R. North Macedonia

Religious Superdiversity’s Place Building: a paradigm to analyze contemporary narratives of religious groups / Saggioro Alessandro / Sapienza University of Rome, Italy

Religion and ethnicity two variables on managing of contemporary diverse societies / Zemon Rubin / FON University in Skopje, R. North Macedonia

Greek-Orthodox Religioscapes in Germany and Great Britain as Symbolic Constellations of Religious Pluralism / Trantas E. Georgios / Aston University in  Birmingham, England

New religious movements in Bulgaria: from conflict to cooperation / Marinov Mario / South-West University “NeofitRilski” in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria

DISCUSSION

11.00 – 11.30  Coffee break 

 11.30 – 13.30

Working session II (PIANO HALL)

Moderator: Zemon Rubin / FON University in Skopje, R. North Macedonia

Catholic Church at the Crossroads: The Polish Case / Niezgoda Marian / Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland

Will Islamophobia Bring an end to the Multiculturalism? / Taneski Nenad / Grizev Aleksandar / Goce Delchev University in Stip, R. North Macedonia / Stojanoska Ivanova Tatjana / Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje, UKIM, R. North Maecedonia

Towards a Second Enlightenment? Migration and ‘the New Europeans’/ Kester Gerard / International Institute of Social Studies, in Hague, Netherlands

The Program „Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of the World Council of Churches – A paradigm of the ecumenical social teaching / Kopiec Piotr / John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Poland

The role of religion in the process of reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina theoretical and practical possibilities / Kuburić  Zorica / University of Novi Sad, Serbia

DISCUSSION 

13.30 – 14.30  Lunch

14.30 – 16.30

Working sessions III (PIANO HALL)

Moderator: Petkovska Antoanela / Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje, UKIM, R. North Macedonia

National identity and religion: an analysis of some Eurasian communities / Akdemir Ahmet/ Fırat University in Elazığ, Turkey

Through Dialogue In Religionto Resolving Conflicts And Achieving Peace / Donev Dejan / Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje, UKIM, R. North Macedonia

The Concept of Peace among Christian Faith-based Networks in Europe / Linjakumpu Aini / University of Lapland in Rovaniemi, Finland

In the name of Love, in the name of God:  loving ‘the Other’ at the time of Love Jihad / Matta Mara / Sapienza University of Rome, Italy

Migration and mimetism / Toth Peter / University of Szeged, Hungary

DISCUSSION

16.30 – 17.00  Coffee break

17.00 – 19.00

Working session IV (PIANO HALL) 

Moderator: Toth Peter / University of Szeged, Hungary

Religiosity of the Macedonian Citizens identified by (through) the European values study / Petkovska Antoanela / Popovski Mihajlo / Trajkovski Ilo / Minoski Konstantin / Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje, UKIM, R. North Macedonia

Religious pluralism between normativity and practical implementation / Tramontano Beatrice / Sapienza University of Rome, Italy

Religious education potential tool for social cohesion / Koceva Daniela / Goce Delchev University in Stip, R. North Macedonia

The Impact of Religion on the Prevention of Trafficking in Human Beings in Kosovo / Latifi Shaqiri Arjeta / South West University “Neophyte Rilski“ in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria

Recalling the memory of the peaceful coexistence among religions in Syria and Lebanon / Monaco Arturo / Sapienza University of Rome, Italy

DISCUSSION

20.00  Dinner

Each participant has 15 minutes for their presentation. The end of each session is followed by a discussion of at least 30 minutes.

 09.00 – 11.00       

Working Session V (PIANO HALL)

Moderator: Marinov Mario / South-West University “NeofitRilski” in  Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria

Soka Gakkai in Italy: Success, Peace Activities, and Controversies / Introvigne Massimo / CESNUR in Torino, Italy

Soka Gakkai’s Campaigns for Nuclear Disarmament / Soryte  Rosita / ORLIR in Vilnius, Lithuania

The Limits of Religious Tolerance in France: The Case of Soka Gakkai / Yanis Ben Hammouda / Montaigne University in Bordeaux, France

Christian’s spiritual perspective in helping professions / Trbojevikj Svetlana / Georgievska Sofija / Stanojkovska Trajkovska Natasa / Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje, UKIM, R. North Macedonia

Religion and public orientation Recent research results in Serbia and Hungary / Mate – Toth Andras / University of Szeged, Hungary

DISCUSSION

11.00 – 11.30  Coffee break

11.30 – 13.30

Working session VI (PIANO HALL) 

Moderator: Introvigne Massimo / CESNUR in Torino, Italy

A Community Of Values As A Unifying Factor For The Future Of A Multi-Ethnic And Multi-Religious Society: The Position Of The Patriarch Of Moscow And All Rus’ Kirill In The Context Of The Current Social Challenges In The Russian Federation / Skladanowski  Marcin / The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Poland

Does the role of religious rites and rituals diminish its significance for Muslim families in the Republic of North Macedonia? / Radulovic Makedonka / Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje, UKIM, R. North Macedonia

Virgin Mary is also a Migrant». A Catholic Procession in La Goulette (Tunisia) between Peace and Conflict / Russo Carmelo / Sapienza University of Rome, Italy

Religious Tolerance among Youth in the Republic of North Macedonia /
Avirovikj Bundalevska Irena / Dragovikj Ivana / Faculty of Philosophy in  Skopje, UKIM, R. North Macedonia

Protocol As A Practical Tool For Peace – Official Apostolic Visit Of Pope Francis To The Republic Of North Macedonia / Smiljanov Sande / Faculty of Philosophy in  Skopje, UKIM, R. North Macedonia

The Global Migrants and Religious Affiliation / Dragovikj Anica/ Mazoon College affiliated to Missouri University of Science and Technology – USA and Purdue University Northwest – USA Muscat, Sultanate of Oman / Cukalevska Drakuklovska Marija/ Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje, UKIM, R. North Macedonia

DISCUSSION 

13.30 – 14.30  Lunch  

14.30 – 16.30

Working session VII (PIANO HALL)

Moderator: Trantas E. Georgios / Aston University in Birmingham, England

New religious movements and interreligious dialogue: the Bahá’í Faith case study / Anoshka Siarhei / Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Poland

Analysis of the impact of the multi-ethnic composition of the population in the Republic of North Macedonia on water conflicts       / Krstevska Evgenija / Faculty of Philosophy in SkopjeUKIM, R. North Macedonia

Deprivatization of religion as a form of religious revival / Kurtishi Amel / University of Tetovo, R.  North Macedonia

Arabic literature and interreligious peacebuilding processes / Fischione Fernanda / Sapienza University of Rome, Italy

African Traditional Religion, Churches and Party Politics In ‘New Zimbabwe’ / Vengesai Chimininge / Lancaster University, United Kingdom and Zimbabwe Open University

DISCUSSION

16.30 – 17.00  Coffee break

17.00 – 19.00

Working session VIII (PIANO HALL) 

The session will be held on macedonian language

Moderator: Matevska Dushka / Faculty of Pedagogy in Skopje, UKIM, R. North Macedonia

The effect of ethnic segregation in primary education on the perception of the ethnic and religious other / Matevska Dushka / Malcev Marjan / Petrova Marieta / Faculty of Pedagogy in  Skopje, UKIM, R. North Macedonia

Islam and religious pluralism in the Republic of North Macedonia / Kadriu Ibish, Sinani Abdylnaser / University of Tetovo, R. North Macedonia

The role of Islamic religious community in development of religious tolerance among Muslims in R. Macedonia / Zaimi Fatmir / Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje, UKIM, R. North Macedonia

General prevalence and forms of manifesting the religiosity among the population Ohrid-Struga region / Bashkimi Bashkim / Center for social work in Struga, R. North Macedonia

Religion and social capital between conflict and faith / Rizov Miroslav / South–West University „NeofitRilski“ in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria

The Bulgarian Church – from the foundation of the Bulgarian Exarchate(1870) until the lifting of the schism (10.05.1953) / Velichkov Georgi / South-West University “Neofit Rilski”in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria

Religion and national identity / Aceski Ilija / Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje, UKIM, R. North Macedonia

Comparison between universal religions – with a special review to Christianity and Islam / Sulejmani Emilj / Faculty of Pedagogy in Skopje, UKIM, R. North Macedonia / Sulejmani Vildane / Primary school “25 May” in Skopje, R. North Macedonia

DISCUSSION

17.00 – 19.00

Working session IX (PIANO HALL 2) 

Moderator: Anoshka Siarhei / Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Poland

Religious Education, Healing the Scars of Conflict? – Teaching RE in Post-Conflict Northern Ireland / Gracie Anita / Stranmillis University College in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Ethnic Violence and Women in Assam: Coping Strategies Adopted by Women / Jahnabi Deka / Gauhati University in Guwahati, India

Religious and Educational in Blockhain Technology Function / Manasievski Aleksandar / FON University in Skopje, R. North Macedonia / Manasievski Kristijan / Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje, UKIM, R. North Macedonia

Religions’ dialog, continuity of sacred places / Filipova Snezhana / Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje, UKIM, R. North Macedonia

Religion, Education and Human Capital / Mihajlovska Slavica / Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, R. North Macedonia / Petrusevska Violeta / Public Transport owned utility Skopje, R. North Macedonia

The Social Media and Religion – New Challenges / Chukalevska Drakulovska Marija / Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje, UKIM, R. North Macedonia / Dragovikj Anica /

Multireligiousness in camps in Republic of North Macedonia: times of refugee crisis / Dragovic Ivana / Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje, UKIM, R. North Macedonia

DISCUSSION

Working session X 

This session will not be held because participants cannot attend the Conference for justified reasons

Consstantines Edict of Milan in an Age of Religious and political Extremism / Daughrity Dyron / Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, USA

Analysing ‘The Blessed Envoy’: The Religious Diplomacy of Archbishop Makarios / Constantinou M. Costas / University of Cyprus in Nicosia, Cyprus 

A Postponed Point of View about the Final Documents regarding Peace, Justice, Awersion of War and Discrimination, provided by the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church (2016) / Florescu Marius / West University of Timișoara, Romania

New Walls and New Bridges The Role of Religion in the Politics of Identity and in the International Relations / Pace Enzo / University of Padua in Padua, Italy

Next Sufi generations in Western societies / Kostovski Dragan / Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje

Role of religion and confession in multi-religious and multi-confessional society: Yugoslav case / Šuvaković V. Uroš / University of Belgrade, Serbia

Martin Luthers Translation of the Bible I – A Popular or  Populist  Approach? / Simoska Silvana / “Blaze Koneski” Faculty of Philology in Skopje, UKIM, R. North Macedonia

Peace and orthodox faith – Romanian cultural ideas and values / Lazareanu Gabriela / Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Iași, Romania

19.15  Ceremonial closing of the conference

20.30  Gala Dinner

10.00   A tourist tour with a view of religious buildings in Struga and Ohrid

15.00     Lunch

18.00     Departure of participants to Skopje

PhD. Zoran Matevski

Letter of the President

Religious fundamentalism most often manifests as a politically-religious ideology that entirely or partially rejects the ideas of cultural globalism. Those ideas being the phenomena of: religious tolerance, ecumenism and neo ecumenism; secularization; modern achievements in science and technology. They are for various reasons not compatible with the doctrines and practices of religious fundamentalists and extremists. Out of all the Universalist religions, Christianity, Islam and Buddhism have shown to be the strongest forces of globalization in the postmodern era. The sudden and constant demographic growth of Muslims worldwide leads us to the assumption that Islam might become the strongest religion of globalization. On the other hand, fundamentalism represents a type of an answer to the challenge of globalization. The idea is to establish a moral system of religious and traditional cultural values. The biggest problem of religious fundamentalism and extremism is the idea that only the cultural traditions of Muslim civilization and Sharia law are acceptable. 

Key dates

Submission of final papers : March 1, 2020.

Please note, the final papers must be prepared according to the Instruction for authors.

Accommodation and Transport

The cost of travel and accommodation have to be covered by the conference participants. We offer organized transport from Skopje Airport to Hotel Drim in Struga. For participants of the conference, Hotel Drim – www.drim.com.mk offers reduced prices for accommodation with included meals. 

You can make a reservation at the following address:  ana.jancheva@drim.com.mk

 

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