Thematic Description

Europe has been shaped by diverse religious and cultural traditions, such as the monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as well as various indigenous and philosophical conventions. Interreligious and intercultural dialogue has been essential to the transmission of ideas in Europe through dialogue and interaction. These activities have not only enriched European cultural landscapes but also fostered mutual understanding among diverse communities, religious and nonreligious. Various institutions (academic, religious, social-political, etc.) have played important roles in facilitating such interactions and dialogues, allowing ideas and experiences to cross geographic and cultural and religious borders.

In antiquity and modern times, interreligious and intercultural dialogue and interchange had strong impact upon Europe’s intellectual development. Scholars with different religious and cultural backgrounds collaborated to interpret classical works of philosophy, science, and medicine from Arabic and Greek into Latin. Such multicultural collaboration introduced scientific and philosophical ideas to Europe, sparking advancements in fields such as astronomy, mathematics, and medicine. This exchange of knowledge across religious and cultural boundaries laid the foundation for Europe’s intellectual awakening.

The forum will explore questions related to the problems of how philosophical ideas transcend cultural, linguistic, and geographical boundaries and are shaping and being shaped by the local contexts they encounter. This interdisciplinary event seeks to understand the mechanisms through which philosophical concepts, schools of thought, and intellectual traditions migrate, evolve, and influence societies worldwide. From this perspective, the conference aims to draw a map of both the well-trodden paths of coexistence and cultural exchange in Europe and of the new paths that need to be explored and the new bridges to be built. This is essential and significant as Europe faces tremendous challenges related to migration, social integration, intercultural tensions, political tensions, etc.

 Contemporary Europe needs new ideas and insights for understanding the new situation – socio-political, technological, ecological, cultural, religious, etc. – that is so new, so dynamic, and so challenging. By fostering open dialogue, communication and collaboration, Europe will be able to continue to benefit from its rich diversity. Interreligious and intercultural dialogues and interactions can strengthen the social fabric and promote a more inclusive society.

The conference would like to invite scholars to discuss the following issues:

- Dialogue among monotheistic religions in transmission of philosophical ideas in Europe and beyond;

- The role of monetheistic religions in the translation and dissemination of philosophical texts;

- Religious Mysticism and Sufism in Europe;

- The role of Muslim thinkers in the development of Islamic philosophy;

- The adaptation and transformation of ideas across different cultures and religions; 

- The impact of media and technology in spreading philosophical ideas and education;

- How religious communities coming together to deal with ecological crises.

Abstract
Please send an abstract (300 to 500 words) and a brief CV to Profesor Bogdana Todorova [bonytodorova@gmail.com] and [cua-rvp@cua.edu] by April 30, 2025. Full paper will be due on May 20, 2025. Well-developed papers will be published by the Council for Research in Values and Philosophy in its publication series “Cultural Heritage and Contemporary Change.”

Logistics

There is no registration fee. Conference participants will cover the costs of their own travel and accommodations. For more details and information contact the local conference organizer [bonytodorova@gmail.com]. The conference will be conducted in English.

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