01/07/2026 17:20 - 19:30

HALL: Parenzo - A12

Contact: Cerny-Werner R.

Chair: Damian J.M.

Religious systems as normative-performative networks have and continue to be what we might term "moral agenda-setters". The survival of humanity—however it may have been "created," "formed," or "originated"—was probably a cornerstone of such systems from early on, forming the basis of religious concepts and contributing to evaluating, combating, or even preserving social, political, and cultural (in)equalities. Concepts of creation and the care thereof have continually found their way into political and religious action, be it in ancient/late antique theological foundation processes or in medieval hegemonic discourses; in the proto-emancipatory debates of the Reformation or the human rights-related arguments of the 20th century; in theological, philosophical, or political debates among contemporaries or in discourses that span epochs. They can appear as Christian charity, Islamic hospitality, or Jewish justice. Exploring this central structure of faith-based, cultic thinking and action over the millennia and classifying it in the history of theology is one of the two main pillars of the proposed panel. The second pillar of the panel is dedicated to whether and how such theological concepts of the care for creation could constitute a moral compass of climate negotiations in the 20th and 21st. Key questions we are interested in exploring can include but are not limited to: What impetus and self-image do religions derive from their theological program for possible inter- or transnational engagement on the issue of climate change? What can religions agree upon across religious divides? What do they advocate for together? (How) does urgency arise? How and to whom is authority attributed on this issue, and does this result in calls for action or specific policy recommendations? Researchers from all academic disciplines are welcome to propose contributions and submit them to enable a trans- and interdisciplinary discussion.