The Religion and Globalisation Initiative A cross campus, multi-disciplinary project offering an intellectually rigorous, critical examination of the role of religion, faith and secularism in the world today.
Message from The Vice-Chancellor The University of Western Australia s Religion and Globalisation Initiative responds to the need for dedicated study of the religious and secular beliefs of the world and how they impact on politics, international relations and local communities. It refl ects the intrinsic value of research and learning about comparative religion and belief systems and is highly relevant to the needs of the times. In this era of rapid globalisation and interconnectedness, providing our students with cultural competence includes an understanding of the world s religions and secular ideologies, and their part in shaping culture, contemporary political events and social organisation. Our graduates, across Australia and the world, have taken their place alongside the highest achievers in business, public policy, science, the arts and humanitarian organisations. The need for a broad and deep understanding of life is increasingly important for a generation that will have a multiplicity of careers in various cultures and locales across the globe. We are delighted to be joining the network of global universities working with the Tony Blair Faith Foundation offering courses in this area. This network will allow our students to engage in conversations with other students around the world as part of their University experience. We will bring to this endeavour our unique perspectives from the Indian Ocean rim and the particular expertise of our scholars. Our staff and students are drawn from more than 100 countries, speaking many different languages, and holding a variety of religious faiths and secular beliefs. This Initiative will encourage refl ection on the deeper values and meaning that sustain us all. We can be a community that sets an example of tolerance, learning and understanding. I commend the drivers of this Initiative and look forward to its long term research contribution to the community. In a global world such engagement and scholarship are what I believe our founders had in mind in inviting us to Seek Wisdom. Professor Alan Robson AM CITWA Vice-Chancellor, The University of Western Australia 2
About the Initiative Religion and Secularism in the World Today The UWA Religion and Globalisation Initiative is a cross campus, multi-disciplinary project offering an intellectually rigorous, critical examination of the role of religion, faith and secularism in the world today. The Initiative includes undergraduate, postgraduate, campus community and public education elements. It will offer an analysis of current events with suffi cient historical perspective to explore the origins of the contemporary landscape of belief and non belief. UWA has been selected to join a network of leading global research universities which includes Yale University, National University of Singapore, Durham University, McGill University and Tecnologico de Monterrey. We will work together to develop and deliver courses on religion and globalisation, enable our students to interact across cultures and borders, and undertake research in this critical emerging fi eld. An intellectually rigorous, critical examination of the role of religion, faith and secularism, in the world today. Offering sufficient historical perspective to explore the origins of the contemporary landscape of belief and non belief. The issue of religious faith will be of the same significance to the 21st century as political ideology was to the 20th century. In an era of globalisation, there is nothing more important than getting people of different faiths and cultures to understand each other better and live in peace and mutual respect; and to give faith itself its proper place in the future. Tony Blair, Founder 3
Classroom Campus Community Objectives 1. Consistent with the attainment of cultural competence at the core of the new future framework at UWA, to deliver world-class undergraduate and postgraduate courses which provide a deep understanding of the origin, history and contemporary role of religions and secular ideologies in shaping the global political, social and cultural landscape. 2. In the spirit of the University s motto Seek Wisdom to provide fora for classroom, campus and community enquiry into the texts, traditions, and personal stories which have shaped values, faith and ethics in a pluralistic, secular society. 3. To develop the basis of a Centre for Excellence in the critical study of Religion and Globalisation, particularly in the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific contexts by consolidating and building upon existing University scholarship and research in the area and collaborating with leading Scholars in the global research network. 4. Share our scholarship and research widely and have a decisive influence on Australian and regional public policy in the field UWA as a thought-leader in religion and globalisation This initiative and the partnership with the Tony Blair Faith Foundation present a major opportunity for the University to lead a nation-wide dialogue on religion and the world. Australia is home to the world s oldest living spiritualities, the beliefs and knowledge systems of Australian Aborigines. We are strategically located in the zone of great economic influence in the 21st century. We share a time zone and geography spanning a multiplicity of religious and cultural practices. UWA has strong links with politicians, religious and business leaders, right across the civil society of our state and nation. We will seek to engage them in this broader conversation. Our intention is to have a major impact on discussion and debate in this country and the wider Indo-Pacific region. 4
The Religion and Globalisation Initiative Team This Initiative brings together the energies and perspectives of two groups within the University: scholars in the study of religion and religious phenomena, and the campus faith community. The Initiative lives within the Vice-Chancellery and is convened by Elena Douglas. An external advisory group is being convened and currently includes: Dr Peter Vardy, Ambassador the Hon Kim Beazley, Archbishop Peter Carnley, Ms Geraldine Doogue, and Ms Charlotte Keenan. We are in discussions with other representatives of faith traditions and the broader community. Faculty advisor Winthrop Professor Krishna Sen, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Internal Steering Committee The day to day operations of the Initiative are coordinated by the following group: Ms Elena Douglas, Chair Rev Michael Wood, Anglican Chaplain Professor Samina Yasmeen, International Relations Dr Debra McDougall, Anthropology Associate Professor Daniel Stepniak, Law Associate Professor Suzanne Wijsman, Music Mr Blaze Kwaymullina, School of Indigenous Studies Mr Michael Champion, Classics Broader Advisory Group (Internal to the University) In addition there is a broader advisory group of scholars and senior staff from across the University and the campus Chaplains. These include: Associate Professor Veronica Brady, English Dr Andrew Broertjes, History Professor Neville Bruce, Integrated Studies Associate Professor Renu Burr, Business School Dr Mark Edwards, Business School Associate Professor John Kinder, Italian Studies Dr Sophie Sunderland, Cultural Studies Ms Robin Tapper, Law/Ethics/Anglican Priest Mr Tim Shanahan, Minerals and Energy Campus Chaplains Fr Armando Carandang, Catholic Chaplain Rev Canon Richard Pengelley, St George s College Chaplain Rev Dr Ian Robinson, Uniting Chaplain Mr Faizel Clothia, Muslim Student Chaplain Partnerships The strength of our partnerships will be key to the success of this Initiative. The Centre for Muslim States and Societies, run by Professor Samina Yasmeen, is a lead academic and research partner of the Initiative. We will explore collaboration with the following partners across the University including the Equity and Diversity team, UWA Extensioin, School of Indigenous Studies, the Confucius Institute, Centre for Medieval and Early Modern Studies, Institute of Advanced Studies, Perth International Arts Festival, the Centre for Integrated Human Studies, Centre for the Study of Social Change and the UWA Cultural Precinct. 5
Although Australia is one of the more secular countries, we live in a religious world. In global terms we are the outlier. Solving global problems requires an understanding of the religions and belief systems of the world, how they emerged and the polities, cultures and economies they shape. Elena Douglas, Convenor, Religion and Globalisation Initiative One thing is clear in the first decade of the twenty-first century far from fading away with the advance of modernity as so many scholars had predicted, religion is here to stay. Indeed, the global processes that seem to draw us all into tighter networks of interaction often intensify, rather than erase, commitments to particular religious traditions. Dr Debra McDougall, Religion and Globalisation unit coordinator 6
Network of Global Research Universities FAITH AND GLOBALISATION INITIATIVE REPRESENTATIVES AND THE TONY BLAIR FAITH FOUNDATION AT YALE. UNIVERSITIES REPRESENTED: YALE, MCGILL, HARVARD, DURHAM UNIVERSITY, TECHNOLOGICO DE MONTERREY, PEKING UNIVERSITY WITH TONY BLAIR (FRONT CENTRE) AND UWA REPRESENTATIVE ELENA DOUGLAS (BOTTOM RIGHT). DECEMBER 2009. UWA joins network A comprehensive study of religion and globalisation cannot be done in isolation. To bolster our efforts, UWA has been selected to join a network of leading global research Universities. This network is convened by the Tony Blair Faith Foundation and called the Faith and Globalisation Initiative. We will work together to develop and deliver courses on religion and globalisation, enable our students to interact across cultures and borders and undertake collaborative research in this critical emerging fi eld. In August, several UWA students will join other Religion and Globalisation students from around the world in Singapore for a Student Conference to create a network between the Universities to lead the conversations in the forthcoming courses. 7
Courses and Elements Teaching and Research i. Development of a new unit Religion and Globalisation ANTH2201 (Anthropology and Sociology, Undergraduate, Second year, Semester 1, 2011). Course coordinator: Dr Debra McDougall Unit description: Far from fading away with the advance of modernity, religion appears to be here to stay. Indeed, the global processes that seem to draw us all into tighter networks of interaction often intensify commitments to particular faith traditions. This unit approaches questions surrounding religion and globalisation historically and cross-culturally, with particular emphasis on the historical role of religion within the European tradition and on contemporary religious trends in Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. While processes of globalisation may be more intense today than in earlier eras, none of the world s great religious traditions would have arisen without the globalising forces of political empires. Understanding of the history and interaction of some of the world s major and minor religious traditions is critical to engaging intelligently in pressing debates around the role of religion in modern politics, economy, and society. Students taking this unit will have the opportunity to interact intensively with their peers at UWA and, through website discussion boards and video link-ups, with students in partner universities in the Tony Blair Faith Foundation network. Lectures by UWA staff and guest lecturers provide different disciplinary approaches to a wide range of topics that may include the role of religion in ancient and modern empires; the global growth of fundamentalism; transformations of indigenous religiosity; the persistence of religion under socialism; contemporary Australian spirituality and secularism; and the relationship of religion and politics in the societies of the Asia- Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. Panel discussions, roundtables, and workshops will allow students to consider pressing questions of social policy, economic inequality, and human rights in relation to religion. Throughout the unit, students will work in small groups in preparing for these discussions. The aim is to create a positive environment through which students of secular and diverse religious backgrounds may engage in respectful and honest discussion these critical issues. ii. Promotion of existing units These units are already available at UWA for students to undertake: Religion and Global Politics POLS8601 (Politics and International Relations, Postgraduate, Semester 1, 2011). Course Coordinator: Professor Samina Yasmeen This unit examines competing identities in global politics, with a focus on nationalism and ethnicity in various regions and on Islam as a global religion. Islam and World Politics POLS2224 (Politics and International Relations, Undergraduate). Course Coordinator: Professor Samina Yasmeen This unit examines the role of Islam in the political process at state, regional and international levels. Antropology of Religion ANTH2203 (Anthropology and Sociology, Undergraduate, Second year). Course Coordinator: Dr Debra McDougall In introducing anthropological perspectives on religion, this unit focuses on the religious systems of a range of societies and how they relate to other social institutions. 8
Law and Religion LAWS3334 (Law, Undergraduate, Second year). Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Daniel Stepniak This unit invites students to undertake an interdisciplinary and comparative study of the relationship between law and religion and its implication for Australian law, religious tolerance and freedom. Philosophy of Religion PHIL2211 (Philosophy, Undergraduate, Second year). Course Coordinator: Winthrop Professor Michael Levine This unit assesses the coherence/incoherence of theism through a critical examination of concepts and problems associated with theistic faith in Western religious thought. Philosophy East and West PHIL2231 (Philosophy, Undergraduate). Course Coordinator: Assistant Professor Miri Albihari This unit introduces some central ideas in the Eastern traditions of Buddhism, Advaita Vedanta and Taoism, examining these ideas from a Western philosophical perspective. Eastern topics covered include the nature of reality, consciousness, the self, suffering and happiness, karma, the scope of knowledge and ethics. Creating Asian Modernities ASIA1101 (Asian Studies, Undergraduate, Second year). Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Stephen Dobbs This unit has two main themes the idea of Asia and the diversity of Asian identities. The unit begins by exploring the meanings and representations of Asia and Asians. It then examines the diversity of societies and cultures in Asia through concepts such as identity, culture and the nation-state. Identities based on ethnicity, religion, nationalism, the family, work, gender and region are analysed. iii. Development of research capacity and linkages Working closely with the Centre for Muslim States and Societies and other research centres across the University we will create environments for scholars researching and exploring religion and religious phenomena and impacts to work together. We will also create the mechanisms for visiting academics and experts to speak to potential collaborators and a wider public audience. 9
Courses and Elements Campus Community i. What s meaningful to me? What matters to me? To complement the academic focus of religion and globalisation as a phenomenon, we will offer a more personal engagement with members of the campus community. This element of the initiative recognises that there is a complex inter-relationship between religious traditions and individuals whole lives. Members of religious communities are not monochrome in their beliefs. Communities are living traditions which evolve through the experiences and critiques of members. Similarly, people who do not subscribe to any religious tradition often have deeply held beliefs which shape their daily living. The opportunity to explore personal stories of belief, faith and religion in daily life is an important and complementary aspect of the Initiative. ii. Interfaith activities The University has recently developed an Interfaith Calendar. Over the life of the Initiative we will be hosting interfaith gatherings at the University. GENERAL PUBLIC i. Public Education An Initiative of this richness and involvement of scholars and practitioners from across the campus community should have a strong public face with many opportunities for engagement with the wider community. We are developing a Seek Wisdom series of lectures as part of the Initiative and will deliver this in partnership with UWA Extension. ii. Executive Progammes We are exploring the feasibility of establishing a high profi le special leadership course on Citizens in a globalised world: politics, culture and economics. This course which would be delivered as a leadership programme, would identify emerging leaders especially in business and provide them with an understanding of the role of the world s religions and secular ideologies in shaping culture, contemporary political events and social organisation. The particular geographic focus of the course would be Asia and the Indian Ocean region. 10
Communities are living traditions which evolve through the experiences and critiques of members. Similarly, people who do not subscribe to any religious tradition often have deeply held beliefs which shape their daily living. The opportunity to explore personal stories of belief, faith and religion in daily life is an important and complementary aspect of the Religion and Globalisation initiative. Michael Wood, Anglican Chaplain, The University of Western Australia Ensuring peace and understanding among human beings requires us to understand, appreciate and respect not just what they own materially but also spiritually. The need for such understanding and respect is even greater in a world that is connected and globalised at levels unprecedented in history. Professor Samina Yasmeen, Director Centre for Muslim States and Societies 11
M E M B E R The Religion and Globalisation Initiative Convenor, Elena Douglas Vice-Chancellery The University of Western Australia M252, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009 Tel +61 8 6488 7575 Email elena.douglas@uwa.edu.au Web www.uwa.edu.au Cricos Provider Code: 00126G The Tony Blair Faith Foundation PO Box 60519 London United Kingdom W2 7JU Email Web info@tonyblairfaithfoundation.org www.tonyblairfaithfoundation.org Tony Blair Faith Foundation is a company limited by guarantee and registered in England number 06198959 Registered charity number 1123243 Registered office, 66 Lincoln Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3LH UniPrint 78431 12