I am pleased to pass the invitation for the above conference on to anyone interested in this topic. I had the honor to make a contribution to one of the volumes produced in the course of this project (see http://hmtennapel.weblog.leidenuniv.nl/2012/08/06/a-test-of-faith-religious-diversity-and/). Speakers during the conference include Tore Lindholm (University of Oslo), Olivier Roy (European University Institute), Abdulla An-Na’im (Professor Emeritus, Emory University), José Casanova (Georgetown University) and Heiner Bielefeldt (UN Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion).
‘RELIGARE (‘Religious Diversity and Secular Models in Europe: Innovative Approaches to Law and Policy’) is a European research project funded by the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7, 2007-2013) of the European Commission. It focuses on the coexistence and interactions of secular and religious values in contemporary Europe.
To mark the end of this 3 year project, a high level Conference will be organized on 4-5 of December 2012 to present the project’s results and recommendations. The event has been organized as follows:
4 December 2012 – Leuven (University of Leuven)
• Conference (9.00 a.m. – 6.30 p.m.):
Presentation of the research results by the project partners, accompanied by an in-depth analysis of scientific findings by invited academics and experts.
Venue: Tiensestraat 41, Law Faculty, 3000 Leuven – Auditorium Zeger Van Hee, Collegium Falconis.
• Evening debate (7.30.p.m. – 9.30 p.m.):
Featuring a panel discussion and a keynote speech by Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council.
Venue: Promotiezaal: Universiteitshal, Naamsestraat 22, B-3000 Leuven.
5 December 2012 – Brussels (Centre Albert Borchette, European Commission)
• Conference (9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.): Day two focuses on the EU policy relevance of the RELIGARE results, and aims at stimulating discussion and feedback between researchers and EU policymakers.
Includes the participation of Mr. Lázló Surján, Vice-President of the European Parliament, who will deliver a Keynote Speech at 2 p.m.
Venue: Albert Borschette Conference Centre, 36 Rue Froissart, Brussels
(…)
The RELIGARE Steering Committee (on behalf of the RELIGARE project)
Prof. Marie-Claire Foblets, University of Leuven (Coordinator of the RELIGARE project)
Prof. Veit Bader, University of Amsterdam
Dr. Sergio Carrera, Centre for European Policy Studies
Prof. Silvio Ferrari, University of Milan
Prof. Francis Messner, National Centre for Scientific Research (PRISME-University of Strasbourg)
Prof. Jørgen Nielsen, University of Copenhagen
Prof. Mathias Rohe, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg
Dr. Prakash Shah, Queen Mary, University of London
Prof. Rik Torfs, University of Leuven’
You can access the full programme, and register for this event at http://religareproject.eu/content/religare-conference-secularism-and-religious-diversity-europe-opportunities-and-perspectives.
Hans-Martien ten Napel 