An international conference entitled: “For an ecological social transformation” will be held at the Sophia University of Loppiano from the 11th to the 13th of January 2024. Scholars, researchers, degree/license and PhD students are invited to submit an abstract of their work by the 30th of September 2023.

Christianity and socialism have historically stood against each other and yet, have both played a significant role in shaping the world in which we live in today. Anyhow, something has changed since the days of intransigent atheism, militant anti-clericalism on one hand and excommunication under the banner of irreconcilable anti-Marxism on the other. The Sophia University and the DIALOP association have long been taking forward a project for transversal social ethics, that aims in constructively and positively bringing close these two communities, despite the sufferings and challenges of yesterday and today. The latest initiative within this stream is the proposal of an international conference that will be held at the Sophia University of Loppiano from the 11th to the 13th of January 2024, entitled: “For an ecological social transformation”. The conference is promoted in collaboration with the Trasform! Europe network.

To this end, the conference committee invites scholars and researchers, graduate and doctoral students to present contributions that explore the possibility of a cross-cutting social ethic, under the banner of Pope Francis’ encyclical letter “Laudato si’”.

In detail, the notice reads: “This call for papers aims to explore what can be recognized as shared principles for a social ethic common to both socialist-inspired social criticism and Christian social ethics, with the aim to generate change and transformation proposals in a wide range of areas, starting from the proposal outlined in the Laudato si’ as well as in the different left wing alternatives: how can we promote an economy of life, a community of care, a transformative politics towards solidarity, a future of ecological peace?”.

The contributions are expected to explore the relevance of this text for thinking about alternatives and solutions to the current anthropological and socio-ecological crisis. These contributions are due by the 30th of September 2023 and should cover the following thematic areas:

–  The socio economical roots of the ecological crisis: the relation between poverty and fragility

– The critique of the technocratic paradigm and forms of power derived from technology

– The link between techno-scientific development and the socio-ecological crisis

– Integral ecology: environment, social relations, spiritual life

– New ways of understanding the economy and alternatives to the progress paradigm

– The responsibility of national and international politics in the face of the global socio-ecological crisis

– The culture of waste and new alternative ways of life

– Ecological conversion and community conversion: achieving shared solutions through the method of “differentiated consensus and qualified dissent”.

– Theology and philosophy at the service of a new ecological and social paradigm.

“The goal is that of opening a new research space – says Luisa Sello, of the promotion committee – to offer a contribute, interwoven with courageous thought and essential commitment, in front of the challenges of wars and nuclear confrontation, the impacts of globalization and the exploitation of resources, the climate emergency… Together”.

Utilities in ENGLISH

Sophia link to reconstruct the text: https://www.sophiauniversity.org/en/news/call-for-papers-international-conference-for-a-social-ecological-transformation/

• Download the Call for paper
• Date of the Conference: 11-13 January 2024
• Venue: Sophia University Institute (Figline Incisa Valdarno, Firenze)
• Deadline for submission of abstracts: 30 September 2023
• Submission form: https://forms.gle/7FBHUFMKTz8hVt7x5

For information write to dialopconference2024@gmail.com