Secularism and Religious Diversity in Europe: Opportunities and Perspectives

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.

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.

The programme feature keynote speeches by Mr. Thorbjørn Jagland, General Secretary of the Council of Europe, and Mr. László Surján, Vice-President of the European Parliament

Venue: Albert Borschette Conference Centre, 36 Rue Froissart, Brussels

You can click here to download the full programme for this event.

Please register for this event by completing the online registration form (REGISTRATION IS CLOSED). Participation in this event is free of charge. As conference venues have a limited capacity, we advise you to register as soon as possible to ensure your participation. This event will take place in English.

You are warmly invited to disseminate this invitation further among your networks.

We very much hope you can join us.

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