Programme

Using Cross-Disciplinarity in Religion and Politics: A view

Abstract The field of Religion and Politics has been fertile ground for linkages that cross disciplinary boundaries. Religious studies scholars, political scientists, sociologists and anthropologists, as well as historians have pondered over numerous research questions meant to uncover the interplay between religious organizations, symbols, traditions and practices, on the one hand, and political processes, institutions and actors, on another hand. This talk will review some of the key works on religion and politics, and propose ways in which cross-disciplinarity can contribute to the advancement of our understanding.

Bio note
Lavinia Stan is Professor in the Department of Political Science and Research Fellow at the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government, St. Francis Xavier University, Canada. A comparative politics specialist, she has researched and published on post-communist democratization, transitional justice and religion and politics. She is the author or editor of 15 books, including Encyclopedia of Transitional Justice (Cambridge University Press, 2013 and 2023). Stan is the author of numerous book chapters and scholarly articles, and the Editor-in-Chief for the peer-reviewed East European Politics and Societies: and Cultures, as well as Women’s Studies International Forum. Starting with 1st November 2024, prof Lavinia Stan is ERA chair holder at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu within the HORIZON project “Fostering excellence in research on State-Church-Body Politics”- (FERBOPO) grant no 101184092.

How to navigate a fractured world – or at least how to try

In recent years, a convergence of armed conflicts in Europe and neighboring regions, mass migrations, and humanitarian crises involving refugees have reshaped global realities, with significant implications for everyone’s daily lives. These events have unfolded against a backdrop of societies already struggling with the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, exacerbating existing social challenges. The current situation particularly affects young people’s hopes and future aspirations. As young people navigate an increasingly precarious world, they face growing inequalities along lines of class, gender, ethnicity, and access to education. This paper explores the impact of these crises on young people’s identity formation in the German context, presenting the findings of two major studies of youth in Germany – the Shell Study and the Sinus Study. This exploration aims to provide valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and practitioners working to address the unique challenges faced by today’s youth in increasingly complex global contexts. In addition, this presentation will share the social work perspective on educational frameworks as a tool for responding to these new realities and fostering resilience and inclusivity in an era of profound uncertainty. The discussion begins with an insight into the current mindset of German youth and ends with the question of the potential of social work to empower and support the future generation for an uncertain future, equipping youth to navigate a fractured world.

Bio note

Dr. Vera Taube is a Professor of Educational Science in Social Work at the FHWS in Germany. Her main areas of interest include social work in the context of youth welfare, case management and social diagnosis, professional theory, and international social work. Her research activities target professional practice in youth welfare, social work in hard-to-reach contexts, and professional identity in social work.