- Written by: Kamran Mofid
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Theology, Philosophy, Ethics, Spirituality and Economics: A Call to Dialogue
Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative (GCGI)
10th Annual International Conference
"Sharing the Wisdom, Shaping the Dream:
Reclaiming the Moral and Spiritual Roots of Economics and Capitalism"
September 2-5, 2012
(http://gcgi.info/news/141-gcgi-conference-call-for-presentations-oxford-2012 )
In Association With
School of Economic Science
http://www.schooleconomicscience.org/
Hosted at
Waterperry House, Oxford
http://www.schooleconomicscience.org/waterperry-house/
Final Programme
“From Oxford 2002 to Oxford 2012: Portrait of a Great Journey for the Common Good”
(For all enquiries about registration to attend the conference -residential or day participation- please contact Mr. Peter Holland: petermholland36@hotmail.com )
Final Programme
Sunday, September 2
12.00 Noon onwards: Arrival at Waterperry House
(Organised tours throughout the afternoon to see the Waterperry House Frescoes, painted in the traditional fresco way by members of the School’s art group. Taking six years to complete, and covering three storeys, it depicts scenes taken from Advaita philosophy. Delegates may also wish to see the Waterperry Gardens)
5.30-6.00pm
Drink Reception
6.00-7.30pm
Dinner
7.30-9.00pm
Welcome, Opening Remarks, and Overview of Conference
Prof. Kamran Mofid, Founder, The Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative
Mr. Ian Mason, Principal of the School of Economic Science
Opening Address
The Reverend Canon Dr Vincent Strudwick
"The Role of Faith Communities in Building Cultures of Trust for the Common Good”
The Reverend Canon Dr Vincent Strudwick is a Fellow of Kellogg College in the University of Oxford, and Founder-member of the Centre for the Study of Religion in Public Life based at the College.
He has taught historical theology for many years in different institutions, and was the Founding Director of the Oxford University International Summer programme held at Christ Church, Oxford since 1993.
As a Visiting Professor of the Graduate Theological Foundation of Indiana, USA, and in UK and USA with the Smithsonian Associates, among other institutions, Canon Strudwick has explored inter-faith dialogue and its practice. His publications include: ‘Winter Change to Spring: Religion, Culture and Politics in the World of the Market State’ 2007. ‘Benedict XV1 Considered: Inter-Faith Perspectives on the Modern Papacy’ (Editor) 2009.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_Strudwick )
Monday, September 3
7.00-7.30am
Meditation
7.45-8.45am
Breakfast
(Please note: All presentations throughout the conference are plenary. There are no breakout sessions. Each presentation is limited to 10 minutes. This will enable the whole conference (speakers and delegates) to come together in roundtables to maximise the time for dialogue, debate, and Q&A at the end of each and every session.)
9.00-11.00am
“A Reflection on Value-based Economics and Business”
Moderator: Prof. Kamran Mofid
(Presentations: 70 minutes. Q&A, Debate and Dialogue: 50 minutes)
Prof. Hendrik Opdebeeck, “Philosophy as a trans-cultural source of wisdom in management: A plea for spirituality as meaningfulness”
Brian Hodgkinson, “REVISING FLAT-EARTH ECONOMICS”
Dr. Peter Bowman, “The Path to a just free market economy”
Raymond Makewell, “Understanding the Causes”
Hooshmand Badee, “Emerging values for shaping a future global economy”
Prof. Steve Szeghi, “An Assessment of the Revisionist History of the Causes of the Financial Crisis of 08-09”
Prof. Jamshid Damooei,“Looking into Social Mobility in the United States? Is American Dream Alive?”
11.00-11.30am
Tea/Coffee Break
11.30-1.00pm
“Religions, Diversity, and the Common Good”
Moderator: Dr. Josef. Boehle
(Presentations: 40 minutes. Q&A, Debate and Dialogue: 50 minutes)
Prof. Fred Dallmayr, “Multiculturalism: Group Politics and the Common Good”
Prof. Farhang Rajaee, “Performing Human: On Civility and Civilization”
Rev. Dr. Richard Boeke, “Fideology – Faith as Trust”
Bhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder Singh, “Sikh Ethics: Towards A New Paradigm for Reclaiming the Moral and Spiritual Roots of Economics and Capitalism”
1.00-2.15pm
Lunch
2.30-4.15pm
“Industry, Science, Technology, and Media Shaping the Modern World”
Moderator: Prof. Jamshid Damooei
(Presentations: 60 minutes. Q&A, Debate and Dialogue: 45 minutes)
Dr. Violaine Hacker, “Dealing with media consumption as a private and public behaviour: Norms, Goals and Principles for Media Literacy”
Tom Mahon, “To Occupy Technology: Begin with a Program of Technical Literacy”
Dr. Michael Britton, “Post-Opportunistic Economics: Neuroscience and an Economics Built on Nurturing”
Steve Haywood, “Industry, Sustainability and the Common Good”
Prof. Dr. Jens Wendland, “The development of the digital communication in the BRICS- States - a discussion model for her chances and dangers”
Prof. Yahya Kamalipour, “Venture Capitalists and Virtual Education: The Changing Patterns of Teaching and Learning”
6.30pm- late
Dinner in Oxford (Turkish Cuisine) hosted by the Dialogue Society (http://www.dialoguesociety.org/ )
*(Residential participants please assemble at the entrance hall by 6.20pm to board the coach to the dinner venue)
Tuesday, September 4
7.00-7.30am
Meditation
7.45-8.45am
Breakfast
9.00-11.00am
“Economics, Justice and Spirituality”
Moderator: Ian Mason
(Presentations: 70 minutes. Q&A, Debate and Dialogue: 50 minutes)
Dr. Josef Boehle, “Can Religious NGOs Help to Achieve Development Goals?”
Mustafa Kasim Erol, “The Contribution of Fethullah Gulen on Christian-Muslim relations”
Dr. Joanildo Burity, “Capitalism, neoliberalism and Christian articulations of economic ethics: Pentecostals and Ecumenicals in Latin America”
Prof. Tonči Kuzmanić, “Depression of Some-thing which is not capitalism any more”
Rajesh Makwana, “International Redistribution as a Priority for Global Justice”
John Bunzl, “Current Problems Require New Thinking”
Sesto Giovanni Castagnoli, “Humanity and Economy at the crossroads”
11.00-11.30am
Tea/Coffee Break
11.30-1.00pm
“Faith, Economics and Globalisation”
Moderator: Prof. Kamran Mofid
(Presentations: 40 minutes. Q&A, Debate and Dialogue: 50 minutes)
Prof. Philip Goodchild, “Credit and Faith: On Economics and Theology”
Prof. Paul Williams, “Capitalism, Religion and the Economics of the Biblical Jubilee”
Rev. Dr. Marcus Braybrooke, “Why Work? A Christian Reflection”
Prof. Hans Kochler, “Economy& Honesty: Remarks on the Global Pursuit of Economic Interests”
1.00-2.15pm
Lunch
2.30-4.30pm
“Ecology, Environment, and Sustainable Development”
Moderator: Prof. Steve Szeghi
(Presentations: 70 minutes. Q&A, Debate and Dialogue: 50 minutes)
Ian Mason, “Earth Matters”
Fred Harrison, “On Being Human: Paradigms, Public Goods and Property Rights”
Peter Holland, “Location Theory: An Equal Opportunity for All to Prosper”
Jacelyn Eckman, “A New Economics of Being”
Wayne Green, “A new consciousness towards an alternative global political economy”
Linda Groff, “Scarcity- Abundance Issues: Implications for Our Human, Planetary, and Evolutionary Futures”
Ann Hallock, “Bringing Love and Ethics into the Human Equation”
6.30pm-late
Conference Gala Dinner, hosted at Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford (http://www.ccc.ox.ac.uk/History/ )
*(Residential participants please assemble at the entrance hall by 6.20pm to board the coach for Corpus Christi College)
Wednesday, September 5
7.00-7.30am
Meditation
7.45-8.45am
Breakfast
9.00-11.00am
Closing Remarks and Moving Forward: Guided by Wisdom and Hope
Co-chairs: Kamran Mofid and Ian Mason
Guided by Wisdom and Hope: A Conversation and Dialogue with
Rev. Dr. Richard Boeke, Chair, the British Chapter of the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) and Vice-President, World Congress of Faiths, London, UK
Rev Dr Marcus Braybrooke, President of the World Congress of Faiths, Co-Founder of the Three Faiths Forum, a Peace Councillor and a Patron of the International Interfaith Centre at Oxford, UK
Fred Dallmayr - Packey J. Dee Professor in the Departments of Philosophy and Political Science at the University of Notre Dame, USA
Prof. Hans Kochler, Chair, Political Philosophy, University of Innsbruck, Austria, and President, International Progress Organisation (I.P.O), Vienna, Austria
Bhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder Singh, Chairman, Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha, Birmingham, UK
Canon Dr Vincent Strudwick, Honorary Fellow, Kellogg College, University of Oxford, UK
11.00am Close of Conference
List of Speakers
*Mr. Hooshmand Badee, Faculty of Education and Theology, York St. John University, York, UK
*Dr. Josef Boehle, Research Fellow in Globalisation, Religion and Politics, School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion, University of Birmingham, UK
*Rev. Dr. Richard Boeke, Chair, the British Chapter of the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) and Vice-President, World Congress of Faiths, London, UK
*Rev Dr Marcus Braybrooke, President of the World Congress of Faiths, Co-Founder of the Three Faiths Forum, a Peace Councillor and a Patron of the International Interfaith Centre at Oxford, UK
*Dr. Michael Britton, Director, "Global Appreciative Culturing", USA; and Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies, Norway
*Dr. Peter Bowman, University Preparatory Certificate for Science and Engineering, University College, London, UK
*Mr. John Bunzl, Founder, Simultaneous Policy (Simpol), London, UK
*Dr Joanildo A Burity, St Quinton Director of the Faith and Globalisation Programme, School of Government and International Affairs (SGIA) and Department of Theology and Religion, Durham University, UK
*Mr. Sesto Giovanni Castagnoli, Evolutant and Entrepreneur, Founder, WSF World Spirit Forum, Switzerland
*Fred Dallmayr - Packey J. Dee Professor in the Departments of Philosophy and Political Science at the University of Notre Dame, USA
*Prof. Jamshid Damooei, Co-director, Centre for Leadership and Values, School of Management, California Lutheran University, USA
*Ms. Jacelyn Eckman, former diplomat, US Department of State, author, student and teacher of comparative religions, USA
*Mr. Mustafa Erol, Director, Oxford Branch, Dialogue Society, Oxford, UK
*Prof Philip Goodchild, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Nottingham, UK
*Mr. Wayne Green, Director Global Affairs Ltd, UK
*Dr. Linda Groff, Professor, Political Science and Future Studies, and Coordinator, Behavioral Science Undergraduate Program, California State University, and Director, Global Options and Evolutionary Futures Consulting, USA
*Dr Violaine Hacker, European Studies Department, Sorbonne, Paris, France
*Ann Hallock, former Prof. Of behavioural medicine, Michigan State University, USA
*Mr. Fred Harrison, Research Director, Land Research Trust, London, UK
*Mr. Steve Haywood, former Project Director, Jaguar and Land Rover, UK
*Mr. Brian Hodgkinson, Head, Oxford Branch, School of Economic Science, Oxford, UK
*Mr. Peter Holland, School of Economic Science, London, UK
*Prof. Mica Jovanavic, Rector, MEGATREND University, Belgrade, Serbia, Vice-President, Association of the Universities of Serbia, and Vice-President of the Club of the Rectors of Europe, Oxford, UK
*Yahya R. Kamalipour, Professor and Head, Department of Communication, Purdue University, USA; and Founder &Chair, Global Communication Association, USA
*Prof. Hans Kochler, Chair, Political Philosophy, University of Innsbruck, Austria, and President, International Progress Organisation (I.P.O), Vienna, Austria
* Prof. Tonči A. Kuzmanić, Senior Research Fellow, Faculty of Management, Koper-Capodistria, Slovenia
*Mr. Tom Mahon, Scientist and Author, San Francisco, USA
*Mr. Raymond Makewell, School of Economic Science, Author of “Economic Wisdom”, Roseville, Australia
*Mr. Rajesh Makwana, Director, Share the World's Resources, UK
*Mr. Ian Mason, Principal of the School of Economic Science, London, UK
*Prof. Kamran Mofid, Founder, Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative (GCGI), UK
*Prof. Hendrik Opdebeeck, Centre for Ethics, University of Antwerp, Belgium
*Prof Farhang Rajaee, Political Science and Modern Political Thought in Islam, Director, The College of the Humanities, Carleton University, Canada
*Canon Dr Vincent Strudwick, Honorary Fellow, Kellogg College, University of Oxford, UK
* Bhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder Singh, Chairman, Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha, Birmingham, UK
*Prof. Steve Szeghi, Dept of Economics, Wilmington College, Ohio, USA
*Prof Jens Wendland, Chair of Media Theory and Economics, Faculty of Journalism, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
*Prof. Paul S. Williams, David J Brown Family Chair of Marketplace Theology and Leadership and Executive Director, Marketplace Institute, Regent College, University of British Columbia, Canada
- Written by: Kamran Mofid
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NATO Comes to Chicago!
Nato talks security and peace, Chicago has neither
“Nato is not an impartial arbiter in this state of affairs but the military wing of a political and economic project that makes it possible. Neoliberal globalisation, and the inequities that come with it, cannot exist without force or the threat of it. "The hidden hand of the market will never work without a hidden fist," Thomas Friedman, an ardent advocate of free market globalisation, argued. "McDonald's cannot flourish without McDonnell Douglas, the designer of the F-15. And the hidden fist that keeps the world safe for Silicon Valley's technologies to flourish is called the US Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps."
The paradox of such a city hosting this summit lays bare the brutal way in which inequality is globally maintained and locally replicated
…”The next morning world leaders started arriving in Chicago for the Nato summit where, just 20 minutes from Brighton Park, they would discuss how to maintain international security. The dissonance between the global pretensions of the summit this weekend and the local realities of Chicago could not be more striking. Nato claims its purpose is to secure peace through security; in much of Chicago neither exists.
When the city mayor Rahm Emanuel brought the summit to Chicago he boasted: "From a city perspective this will be an opportunity to showcase what is great about the greatest city in the greatest country." The alternative "99% tour" of the city, organised by the Grassroots Collective that came to Brighton Park, revealed how utterly those who claim to export peace and prosperity abroad have failed to provide it at home.
…This violence, be it at the hands of the state or gangs, is both compounded and underpinned by racial and economic disadvantage. The poorer the neighbourhood the more violent, the wealthier the safer. This is no coincidence. Much like the Nato summit – and the G8 summit that preceded it – the system is set up not to spread wealth but to preserve and protect it, not to relieve chaos but to contain and punish it.”
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- Written by: Kamran Mofid
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Capitalism at a crossroads: We need Hope, Justice and Trust
“All we want to do is work, to be able to support ourselves”-The Voice of the Global Youth
Rarely have the world's most powerful people looked so impotent, so hopeless and so miserably vision-less. Today, they are all gathered, this time at Camp David, USA. For what, you may justifiably ask, given the outcome of their previous extremely expensive organised gatherings? It seems, whatever they touch, goes from bad to worse. This is so, because they have so tragically failed to understand and appreciate that “Our Crises are not merely Economic but Spiritual”, and that the marketplace is not just an economic sphere, ‘it is a region of the human spirit’. Thus, we must combine the need for economic efficiency with the need for social justice and environmental sustainability. This, therefore, requires a different set of policies to the ones that they have been dishing out for the past very long years.
Given the failures of the political and economic leadership, there is a void in true understanding that: living happily is “the desire of us all, but our mind is blinded to a clear vision of just what it is that makes life happy”. The root of happiness is ethical behaviour, and thus the ancient idea of moral education and cultivation, is essential to ideal of joyfulness.
It is therefore, abundantly obvious that the G8 political leaders, alongside others, are in urgent need of educating themselves in value-based economics and business studies, moral philosophy and spirituality; something that for sure they have not been taught whilst studying at their so-called “prestigious” business schools and universities.
As time is short and needs are great, I wish to offer them a couple of speedy online modules, all free of charge, with no password or login requirements.
1-The World is Revolting Against the neo-liberal Economic and Business Model: A Call to Action
“Hundreds of thousands of people, young and old, employed and unemployed, black and white, men and women, have come together in a continuing and lasting global unity, partaking in a dialogue of civilisations, faiths, cultures and peoples in consideration for the common good. This global movement has risen in a thousand cities on six continents: from Tahrir Square to Alexandria and Tunisia; Rio de Janerio to Bogota; Santiago, Chile to Barcelona; Zuccotti Park to Oakland; Wall Street to St. Paul’s; Frankfurt to Brussels: Rome to Athens; Toronto to Vancouver, Chicago to Philadelphia, Sydney to Brisbane and more, rejecting neo-liberalism and its prevailing economic and business models, demanding a better, kinder and more humane world.
Across the globe there is an unquestioning, deeply justified sense that governments have capitulated to big business and big finance at the expense of the people and the environment. Both centralised states and free markets are separated and divorced from society, and society in turn is thus subjugated by a global market-state, dominated by corporate elites and the self-serving lobbyists.”
Read the Call to Action:
2-World Poverty is a Justice and Ethics Issue - Open Letter to G8 Leaders
I wrote this Open Letter to the G8 Leaders in 2005, when eradicating poverty in Africa was the main global news. The words in that letter are as true today as the day I wrote them. Not only have they not improved Africa and the lives of the Africans, but, now they have also brought misery, poverty and hunger to Europe, N. America and everywhere else for that matter.
Read the Open Letter:
3- Our Crises are not merely Economic but Spiritual: A Time for Awakening
Many sages, philosophers and theologians throughout history have reminded us that there are two forces at work in society, the material and the spiritual. If either of these two is neglected or ignored they will appear to be at odds with one another: society will inevitably becomes fragmented, divisions and rifts will manifest themselves with increasing force and frequency.
It is clear that this is exactly what has happened today. We have a situation of disequilibrium and disharmony. Only the reawakening of the human spirit will save us from our own worst extremes. Physical wealth must go hand in hand with spiritual, moral and ethical wealth.
Read the article:
Our Crises are not merely Economic but Spiritual: A Time for Awakening
4-Small is Beautiful: The Wisdom of E.F. Schumacher
In the name of profit and technological progress, Schumacher argued, modern economic policies had created rampant inefficiency, environmental degradation and dehumanising labour conditions. "Ever bigger machines, entailing ever bigger concentrations of economic power and exerting ever greater violence against the environment, do not represent progress: they are a denial of wisdom. Wisdom demands a new orientation of science and technology towards the organic, the gentle, the non-violent, the elegant and beautiful," he wrote.
The remedy he proposed - a holistic approach to human society, which stressed small scale, localised solutions - flew in the face of economic orthodoxies of the time: "I have no doubt that it is possible to give a new direction to technological development, a direction that shall lead it back to the real needs of man, and that also means: to the actual size of man. Man is small, and, therefore, small is beautiful."
Read the article: