International conference on Religions and Human Rights — Padua, Italy (2016)

CALL FOR PAPERS
International conference
RELIGIONS AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Padua (Italy), April 14-15, 2016

The relationship between religion and human rights is controversial and debated. The aim of the international conference is to take stock of the complex connections between religion and human rights, emphasizing that both the definition and the application of these two concepts are influenced by the different social and cultural contexts within which they are placed.

Starting from the geopolitical changes which have involved contemporary society on a global scale, the conference intends to critically evaluate the two main narratives on this topic: on the one hand religions understood as an element opposing the affirmation of human rights, and on the other religions considered as agencies facilitating the implementation of human rights. Religious rights, understood as individual and/or collective rights, are disputed as well.

How do religious traditions and new religious communities approach human rights issues? How do states manage religious traditions and religious diversification? How are human rights discourses and practices affected by the social context?

Participants are invited to explore from different disciplinary perspectives the following topics:
Freedom of expression, speech, choice, association; non-discrimination; gender issues; religion-state relations; violence; conflict; peace.

Confirmed keynote speakers:
Eileen Barker, London School of Economics
Lori Beaman, University of Ottawa
Willy Fautré, Human Rights Without Frontiers International
Silvio Ferrari, University of Milan
Enzo Pace, University of Padua
James Richardson, University of Nevada
Hans-Georg Ziebertz, University of Wuerzburg

The international conference is organized by the Joint PhD Programme on “Human Rights, Society, and Multi-level Governance” (Universities of Athens-Panteion, Padua, Western Sydney, Zagreb).

Scientific Committee:
Giuseppe Giordan, University of Padua
Adam Possamai, Western Sidney University
Constantin Preda, University of Bucharest
Siniša Zrinščak, University of Zagreb

Abstracts (300 words) should be sent to Giuseppe Giordan (giuseppe.giordan@unipd.it) no later than January 15th, 2016.
Acceptance notification will be sent by January 25th, 2016.
There are no fees for attendance.