This year’s CESNUR conference is co-organized by the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR), Université Bordeaux Montaigne — CLIMAS (Cultures et littératures des mondes anglophones), and the International Society for the Study of New Religions (ISSNR).
The conference takes place from 12 to 15 June at the Université Bordeaux Montaigne in Bordeaux, France, and it will focus on “The Contribution of Minority Religions to Society.”
The conference convenes leading scholars, researchers, and practitioners from around the world to engage in a rich program of plenary sessions, panel discussions, and presentations. Key topics include the innovative contributions of new religious movements, the role of Asian new religions in global society, and the intersection of minority religions with politics, law, and social justice. Highlights of the programme include:
– Opening Plenary Lecture: Eileen Barker will discuss the innovative contributions of new religious movements to society, setting the stage for the conference.
– Asian New Religions: Esteemed scholars like J. Gordon Melton, Massimo Introvigne, and others will present on the societal contributions of Asian new religions, exploring themes of peace, identity, and cultural integration.
– North American Contributions: Sessions will address the influence of new religious movements in North America, covering topics from political intersections to social welfare impacts.
– Jehovah’s Witnesses: Various sessions will explore the global influence and legal battles of Jehovah’s Witnesses, examining their contributions to religious freedoms and social values.
– Unification Church and Japan: A dedicated session will address the current issues facing the Unification Church in Japan, particularly in the aftermath of the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, featuring testimonies and analyses from prominent scholars and insiders.
In addition to these thematic sessions, the conference will feature a diverse array of panels covering esoteric movements, new religious movements in Korea and Lithuania, and the contributions of different faith communities to societal development.
This conference will provide a comprehensive platform for dialogue, reflection, and scholarly exchange, highlighting the multifaceted contributions of minority religions to contemporary society.
You can view the programme on the CESNUR Website here (link):
