Projects

This page contains information on the current projects of the European Church-based Institutions of Higher Education against Marginalisation.

We invite interested parties to cooperate with us in our work! If you would like to contribute to the research, please contact us! Contact details and general information about CaM is provided on the main page.

 

Emerging Diakonia & Churches Social Responsibility

Year 2010 has been put forward as the European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion, thus reaffirming strong political commitment to reach the common objectives on social protection and social inclusion. In this context, it is important to assess policies and actions against poverty more thoroughly in order to draw practical lessons for the years to come. Research, although taking into account quantitative approaches, should go beyond a mere statistical approach and focus on how preventive and other kinds of policies and actions in the European countries, involving public services and private organisations, can actually help people suffering from poverty. Research could draw on socially innovative practices and participatory approaches on how to revitalise social links in depressed areas or communities. It should include a youth dimension and a multireligious perspective.

To meet these objectives, we are planning an action research, where a suitable number of running projects in diaconia/churches´ social work, in diverse countries, is taken into examination. The aim of the project is to work multinationally and multidisciplinary, study the relevant concepts, paradigms and methods, and refine a contemporary approach to European diaconia.

Central concept of the project is ´conviviality´, which we understand as a quality dimension in community building. It refers to solidarity and living together, especially as derived from its South-American context. We use the concepts of ´conviviality´ and ´empowerment´ together to emphasize community-based approaches and togetherness. In a larger framework, we strive to set these two concepts in relation to the civil society.

 

Focusing on the Peace Factor in Religion - a project on youth and dialogue

Religious traditions and the tensions between them are playing a role in conflicts around the world - but they also have a role to play in peace work. The aim of this project is to develop a grass roots tolerance program for Islamic, Jewish and Christian adolescents from multiple countries.

Adolescents participating in the program will work together both physically and on the net. As a result, an Internet forum suitable for a variety of contexts will be developed. The forum will serve universities and educational institutes as an educational resource, a kind of "elementary school for interreligious cooperation".

 

Events

Past events

Research Workshop in Pieksämäki, Finland, 6th-7th May 2010