Religion and the EU: a Perfect Match? Roundtable in Brussels

Why?

The lack of critical awareness of histories, laws, theologies, doctrines, creeds and cultures that make up the religious and spiritual landscape of Europe – in one word, religious illiteracy – is the outcome of European history, its legal structures, systems of thought and of the political decisions and cultural actions put in place to address the challenges of European religious pluralism. The social costs of religious illiteracy are difficult to quantify, but its fallout on a social level has assumed alarming dimensions affecting the quality of community relations and of multicultural and multi-religious cohabitation.

To address European religious illiteracy and the social costs that it produces, it is key for RESILIENCE to connect the knowledge about religion that is uncovered through the Research Infrastructure with the policy makers both at the national and European level.

The event ”Religion and the EU: a Perfect Match?” is meant to be the opportunity for scholars, policy makers, and the interested public to grasp the true value of knowledge as the only tool for facing the complexity of what we define as ‘religion in the public space’ and discuss about the European model of religious pluralism and the role of scholarship in supporting its understanding and enhancement towards a more religiously informed society.

Roundtable 1: The social and cultural impact of research on religions

Roundtable 1 will start 14:00. Moderator: Herman J. Selderhuis (RESILIENCE).

Roundtable speakers:

• Vincent Depaigne, Coordinator for the dialogue between the European Commission and churches, religious associations or communities as well as philosophical and non-confessional organisations 
• Katrin Hatzinger, Director EKD Office Brussels, German Evangelical Church, Brussels
• Avi Tawil, Director, European Jewish Community Centre Brussels
• Amb. Abdulkhaleq Al Yafei, Head of the Permanent Mission, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Brussels

Left to right: Vincent Depaigne, Katrin Hatzinger, Avi Tawil, Amb. Abdulkhaleq Al Yafei

Topics to discuss

• How does religion play a role in the political and social issues in Europe? 
• What can scientific research do?
• What results have already been obtained to this day?

(5 minutes break)

Roundtable 2: The scientific impact of research on religions

Roundtable 2 will start 15:45. Moderator: Lieneke Timpers (RESILIENCE).

Roundtable speakers

• Merete Bilde, Policy Advisor, European External Action Service of the European Union
• Francesco Raphael Frieri, Director General for Resources, Europe, Innovation and Institutions of the Emilia-Romagna Region
• Alberto Melloni, Secretary, Fondazione per le Scienze Religiose Giovanni XIII

Left to right: Merete Bilde, Francesco Raphael Frieri, and Alberto Melloni

Topics to discuss

• How does religion play a role in the political and social issues in European relations with other global players? 
• What can scientific research do?

Wrap Up

16:45.

Refreshments

17:00.

Registration

If you want to attend the event, you are invited to register via the registration form. Please note, there is limited opportunity to attend, so we advice you to not wait too long to register. Registration closes April 30, 2025.

Date, Time, and Place

May 7th, 2025, starting 14:00.

Delegation to the EU of Emilia-Romagna Region
Rue Montoyer, 21
Brussels, Belgium