Call for Papers/Panels

International Forum 15th Ecumenical Social Week

“Identity”

October 3-7, 2022

Online (with a possibility to attend in Lviv)

(Institute of Ecumenical Studies of UCU, in partnership with Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung, German Lutheran Church and l’Institut Supérieur d’Etudes Œcuméniques (ISEO) de l’Institut Catholique de Paris)

The annual international forum “Ecumenical Social Week” (ESW) unites the resources of a community, authorities, mass media, social organizations, Churches, educators and youth organizations in an attempt to address relevant social issues, based on the common human values,  social teaching  of  the church and the sustainable development principles.

The event will take place mainly online, with a possibility to come to the venue, depending on the situation.

The working languages will be English, French, German and Ukrainian with a simultaneous interpretation.

Within the forum we want to explore and discuss various “facets” of human and community identity in the modern world. We will focus on several aspects, looking at them through the prism of interdisciplinary approach, and tackle  questions like:

- Identity in terms of war in the center of Europe

- Political and ideological identity: search for the way out of the crisis of populism, propaganda and social polarization

- Ethical and national identity: What challenges does Ukraine face under the circumstances of the recent independence, the war and the European dream?

- How can German unification, Balkan reconciliation, other examples become models for Ukraine in its attempts to unite the society around certain ideals?

- How do European countries undergo (form, support) their European, national and regional identity?

- Cultural identity, globalization and multiculturalism. How does migration (refugees and IDP’s) influence identity?

- Religious identity: To what extent does religious affiliation intersect with national and ideological identity? “Russian World” and other theo-political identities. 

- Identity of Ukrainian religious and ethnic groups

- How is religious identity intertwined with the approaches to liturgy, interpretation of the canon law, takes on bioethics and ecology

- Bible, Liturgy and Tradition as creators of identity

- Identity of the Ukrainian Orthodoxy: “Kyiv” and “Moscow” Church traditions in the lives of the Ukrainian Orthodox parishes; ecumenical openness of the Ukrainian Orthodoxy

- Identity of Eastern Catholics and UGCC in particular: Who are they–“Eastern Roman-Catholics”, or “the Orthodox in unity with the Holy See”?: searching for a better model of relationships with the Holy See and the Orthodox and Protestant brothers. Identity and Mission: assistance or obstacle for each other

- Cultural wars and religious universality. “Ideological Identity” (“right” and “left” in the Church, ideological approaches to reproduction, family and sexuality)

- Social class identity: How does poverty and well-being influence the identity and behavior of a person and groups of people.

- How to speak of Christian roots of Europe in a useful way?

- The role and impact of various social institutions on the formation of identity: How do mass media, family, education, Church and others influence identity and its preservation? etc.

Paper Proposals:

Submit abstracts for papers, (max. 350 words) and a short CV by July 1, 2022. The papers should last no more than 15 minutes. 

Events:

Submit proposals of panels or other events within the forum. You should include the following information:

-  Topic, duration and format of an event (round table, seminar, workshop, panel discussion, project presentation, book presentation, cultural and artistic events, webinar, showing a film and others.)

-   Target audience

-  Necessary technical equipment: a monitor, a projector, microphones, access to the internet, interpreting. Taking into consideration the limited number of technically-equipped spaces, we encourage the applicants to use their own laptops or tablets.

-    List of speakers and moderator (-s).

The maximum duration time of the event – 2 hours. You may not organize more than two events on different topics within the forum. One participant is not able to be a moderator and a speaker at the same event simultaneously.

Assuming that parallelly with the online option, we could hold the event off-line, please, confirm whether you are interested in coming to Lviv.

The Organizational Committee can reimburse the accommodation and travel expenses of the speakers on demand. We hope to be able to dispose of some funds to cover accomodation and travel expenses for some participants, please let us know if you need any support.

Please, send the event proposal description of not more than 500 words and a short CV by 1 July, 2022. We are grateful for receiving your proposals in advance.

Send your suggestions to Iryna Kitura (irakit@ucu.edu.ua) with the letter subject – ESW paper or/and ESW event.

For more details, please email: irakit@ucu.edu.ua

https://www.facebook.com/esweekucu/

https://www.esweek.org.ua

During the 2022 Pentecost Pilgrimage, donations will be collected for the Institute of Ecumenical Studies, Ukrainian Catholic University, Lviv, Ukraine.

Many good and charitable people are offering financial support to care for the physical, medical, and social needs of the Ukraine people. Our gifts are designated to support the mission of the Institute of Ecumenical Studies in Ukraine. It is our intention to strengthen their work, despite war, fear, trauma and instability. With our support, their goals, as shared by the Director of the Distance Learning Masters Program, Fr. Roman Fihas:

• Continuing the Distance Learning Master’s Program, with the (international) students currently enrolled;
• Developing all current courses with new material integrating ethical questions raised by a time of violence and strengthening the crucial practices of reconciliation and peace-building;
• Responding to the challenge of humanitarian work by new programs to equip Christian communities to cooperate at the grass roots level.

More information about the initiative is here

Donate

Thank you for standing with us in these difficult but crucial times. God bless us all!

International Solidarity Meeting: Edmonton-Ukraine

Join us for a conversation with students and academics from Ukrainian Catholic University, hosted by the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation in collaboration with the Ukrainian Resource and Development Centre (URDC) at MacEwan University.

Day/time: June 2, 9 am – 10:30 am (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) 6 pm – 7:30 pm (Ukraine)

Ukrainian Catholic University Speakers:

Dr Pavlo Smytsnyuk

Dr. Hryhoriy Seleschuk

Students Q+A (30 minutes)

Meeting Registration

Online panel "Russia in Ukraine: What’s Religion Got to Do with It?"

 On Thursday, April 21 12:30 p.m. – 1: 30 p.m. ET (US)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly invoked religion in an effort to justify the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

How, specifically, has Putin used religion—and in particular, Russian Orthodox Christianity—in his rhetoric? To what extent has it helped him build support for the war? How do such actions fit into a larger global context where political leaders at times seek to instrumentalize religion for ostensibly secular ends? And how is religion helping to address the human cost of the war, as religious NGOs provide assistance for Ukrainian refugees?

Join us to hear insights from a panel of experts, who will discuss these questions.

Presented by the Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion and the Nanovic Institute for European Studies and co-sponsored by the Catholic Peacebuilding Network and the University of Notre Dame’s World Religions World Church program.

Panelists

• Jose Casanova, Professor Emeritus, Georgetown University
• Robert Crews, Professor of History, Stanford University
• Annemarie Reilly, Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President for Strategy, Technology & Communications, Catholic Relief Services
• Pavlo Smytsnyuk, Director, Institute of Ecumenical Studies, Ukrainian Catholic University

Moderator

• Charles Powell, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Multifaith Engagement, Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion

Originally published at ansari.nd.edu

Petro Jacyk Program for the Study of Ukraine of the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy of the University of Toronto organize online discussion "The Churches and the Russian War on Ukraine"

Monday, March 21, 2022 — 1:00PM - 2:00PM

This panel of scholars from war-torn Ukraine and from outside of Ukraine will examine some of the historic roots and modern religious dimensions of the Russian war on Ukraine. Themes will include the relations of the church to the state and the Ukrainian Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches’ pastoral and humanitarian responses to the war.

Speakers:

• Jaroslav Skira Speaker Associate Professor of Historical Theology, Regis College, Toronto, Canada
• Archimandrite Cyril Hovorun Speaker Professor in Ecclesiology, International Relations and Ecumenism, University College, Stockholm, Sweden
• Nadieszda Kizenko Speaker Professor of History and Director of Religious Studies, State University of New York at Albany, USA
• Pavlo Smytsnyuk Speaker Professor and Director, Institute of Ecumenical Studies, Ukrainian Catholic University, Lviv, Ukraine
• Marta Dyczok Moderator Departments of History and Political Science, Western University, Canada

More details here

With the start of the full-scale Russian war against Ukraine, the UCU Institute of Ecumenical Studies, in collaboration with partners, coordinated by active UCU students, holds meetings for university communities, including students from around the world. During these zoom events, students of the Ukrainian Catholic University tell their peers about the war in Ukraine, through their own experiences, tell how today students abroad can help us to survive and win.

The initiative of such solidarity meetings was taken by our colleagues from Latin America, namely with UPAEP, and tomorrow another solidarity meeting will take place, in partnership with IES, UCU and Loevre D'Orient. In total, more than 700 people have taken part in previous events, from more than 25 countries.

The International Solidarity Meeting will be held online on April 19, 2022

19:00 (Kyiv GMT+3) / 11:00 (Mexico City GMT-6)

The meeting will be in English.

Link: https://upaep-mx.zoom.us/j/83844659505?pwd=aVJ1bWxucytUaUdHOXJVdC9lR3grZz09

ID: 838 4465 9505

Password: 382891

L’Institut d’Études Œcuméniques près l’Université Catholique d’Ukraine

le 11 avril 2022, 18h-19h30 (heure de Kyiv (GMT+3))

organise le séminaire en ligne sur Les Églises en temps de guerre en Ukraine

Langue de travail : français

L’invasion militaire de la Fédération de Russie en Ukraine contient certainement une composante religieuse qui est très importante. Aussi cette composante doit-elle être relayée et analysée. Les événements dramatiques apportent des modifications à l’existence même des Églises tant en Ukraine que hors ses frontières ce qui sera aussi le sujet de notre discussion. 

Animé par :

Dr Antoine Fleyfel, Directeur de l'Institut chrétiens d'Orient (Paris)

Intervenants :

Dr Yuriy Pidlisnyy, Responsable du programme Éthique-Politique-Économie de l'UCU (Lviv) L’Église, la guerre, la justice, la paix. Des repères perdus?

Dr Michel Dymyd, Professeur du Département de théologie pastorale, Faculté de philosophie et de théologie de l'UCU (Lviv) Comment les Églises nomment ou ne nomment pas l’agresseur de la guerre russo-ukrainienne 2022?

Dr Pavlo Smytsnyuk, Directeur de l'Institut d'études œcuméniques de l'UCU (Lviv) Comment la guerre change les Églises

Dr Constantin Sigov, Directeur du Centre d'études européennes à « Kyiv-Mohyla Académie » (Kyiv) L'ethos de l'hospitalité et les personnes déplacées dans l'espace de la guerre de l'information.

L’enregistrement

The View from the Ground: Perspectives from Ukraine

Conversations with the Ukrainian Catholic University Community and Jesuit Refugee Service

Wednesday, April 20 at 12:00pm to 1:00pm EDT

Panelists:

• Svitlana Hurkina is Associate Professor of Church History, Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) and is a graduate of the Weston Jesuit School of Theology (now Boston College’s School of Theology and Ministry)
• Pavlo Smytsnyuk is Director of UCU’s Institute of Ecumenical Studies and previously served as UCU’s Vice Dean for International Relations.
• Adriana Hrytsyna is a student at UCU.
• Vitaly Osmolovski, SJ is a Polish Jesuit of Ukrainian background who is coordinating the Jesuit response to the crisis in Ukraine and neighboring countries.

Moderators:

• Katie Mahowski Mylroie, a doctoral student in Comparative Theology in the Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences—Graduate School, focusing on Hinduism and Christianity.
• Julia Spagnola, is a junior in the Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences, majoring in Political Science with a minor in History. She serves as a Chair in the Undergraduate Government of Boston College.

Watch via Zoom or come to the Heights Room to watch in-person with others from the BC Community.

Organized and sponsored by the Special Task Force on Ukraine, UGBC, and the Office of Global Engagement.

Dial-In Information https://bccte.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2CHxPXMJTfa1EfYY_gMOLw 

More informaion here: https://events.bc.edu/event/perspectives_from_ukraine

Ukraine has now become the center of news for the world media: the whole progressive world is watching the suffering and heroic struggle of the entire Ukrainian people almost online. Ukrainian Churches share the fate of their people and try to contribute to the struggle of Ukrainian society for the liberation of their country from invaders. The Institute of Ecumenical Studies of the Ukrainian Catholic University, which has many contacts in the Ukrainian religious community, is ready to provide information on religious life in these circumstances.

L'Ucraina è ormai diventata il centro delle notizie per i media mondiali: l'intero mondo progressista assiste quasi online alla sofferenza e alla lotta eroica dell'intero popolo ucraino. Le Chiese ucraine condividono il destino del loro popolo e cercano di contribuire alla lotta della società ucraina per la liberazione del loro paese dagli invasori. L'Istituto di studi ecumenici dell'Università cattolica ucraina, che ha molti contatti nella comunità religiosa ucraina, è pronto a fornire informazioni sulla vita religiosa in queste circostanze.

Україна стала зараз центром новин для світових ЗМІ: стражданням і і героїчною боротьбою цілого українського народу майже в режимі онлайн спостерігає весь прогресивний світ. Українські Церкви поділяють долю свого народу і намагаються зробити свій внесок у боротьбу українського суспільства за звільнення своєї країни від загарбників. Інститут екуменічних студій Українського католицького університету, який має багато контактів в українському релігійному середовищі, готовий надавати інформацію стосовно релігійного життя в даних обставинах.

• Pavlo Smytsnyuk, IES Director: pavlo.smytsnyuk@ucu.edu.ua - English, Italian, French
• Taras Kurylets, expert in religious issues: kts@ucu.edu.ua - English, Italian
• Rev. Roman Fihas, Coordinator of the Distance Learning Master's Program in Ecumenical Studies romano@ucu.edu.ua - English

How can you help Ukraine?

Russian aggression against Ukraine and the full-scale war in the heart of Europe are a great challenge not only for our country, even not for Europe, but for the whole world. Ukraine is now on the threshold of far-reaching changes in its history. Our country is fighting with all its might in the unconventional war with Russia to establish itself as a free and democratic country. Today we have a unique chance to break with the Soviet past, finally overcome post-communist legacy and join the European community grounded in anthropology that advocates respect for the dignity of human person and the rule of law.

Our University contributes to the joint fight against Russian aggression in different ways, including significant social and humanitarian support for Ukrainian citizens, who were forced to leave their homes. We want to ask you to join us in this unequal struggle and help Ukraine by any kind of support: financial, informational or by your pray. Your contribution is very important for our country is this difficult time.  

Below are some ways to implement financial support:

1) Support Ukrainian armed forces

The National Bank of Ukraine has decided to open a special fundraising account to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine
https://bank.gov.ua/en/news/all/natsionalniy-bank-vidkriv-spetsrahunok-dlya-zboru-koshtiv-na-potrebi-armiyi?fbclid=IwAR3jNvvJF_AnD0Hi8sb22LGbFdjqIcCyInFp9PFmTgEJhQ6Ahr6z6PiP1o8 
The account accepts multiple currencies, you can transfer funds in international currencies (USD, Euro, Pounds) as well as in Ukrainian currency. 

Charity Fund “Save Lives” https://savelife.in.ua/en/donate/

2) Support UCU

The university’s financial stability is now under great threat. All the support of our benefactors in Ukraine is today directed at the most important thing – defense of our homeland. Our students cannot pay their tuition under the conditions of war. In order to ensure the university’s functioning and pay the salaries of our professors and staff your support is very important.

How you can help: 

Humanitarian aid to Ukraine

You can use the following account for money transfers:
IBAN: UA233253650000002600101703741
SWIFT: WUCBUA2X
Account holder: UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
Bank name: JSC KREDOBANK
City: Lviv
Country: Ukraine
Bank address: Sakharova str. 78 Lviv, Ukraine
BankZIP-code: 79026

IMPORTANT: In the NOTE field of your bank wire/money order please state: Charitable donation.

3) Support of the humanitarian initiatives of UCU and other partner organizations

The community of the Ukrainian Catholic University is now helping our army and citizens in every possible way. The university has created a Center to Collect Humanitarian Aid. We are helping refugees; we are enlisting the help of the UCU community and international organizations in humanitarian aid. Our students and staff are actively involved in volunteer work. We are in contact with various government institutions and other organizations to coordinate our joint activities.

How you can help:
If you want to help locally and support the humanitarian initiatives of our students and our community, you can use the contact information for UCU’s Charitable Foundation. You can also donate through our partners in the USA and Canada. 

Recipient: UCU CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Registration code: 44047231
Payee’s Account #:
CAD – UA933253650000000260070024532
Intermediary: CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, Toronto, Canada
SWIFT: CIBCCATT

EUR – UA773253650000000260070024529
Intermediary: KBC BANK NV, Brussels, Belgium
SWIFT: KREDBEBB

GBP – UA313253650000000260000024531
Intermediary: KBC Bank N.V., Brussels, Belgium
SWIFT-CODE: KREDBEBB

 PLN – UA133253650000000260030024530
Intermediary: POWSZECHNA KASA OSZCZEDNOSCI BANK POLSKI SA, WARSZAWA, POLAND
SWIFT: BPKOPLPW

USD – UA153253650000000260000024528
Intermediary: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, New York , USA
SWIFT: IRVTUS3N

4) You can also support UCU through our partners in the USA (https://ucufoundation.org/) and Canada (https://ucef.ca/) 

Thank you for your support! Glory to Ukraine!

Humanitarian help

📌 Read more about UCU student projects
https://ucu.edu.ua/news/ucu-student-projects/

📌 You may consult the UCU information channels:
https://www.facebook.com/UkrainianCatholicUniversity 
https://www.instagram.com/ucu_official/ 
https://www.linkedin.com/school/ukrainian-catholic-university/ 
https://twitter.com/UCU_University 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtlA4CoiCUYd4cdD1681IWw