News / York St John University's Ebor lectures are...
York St John University's Ebor lectures are back
Tuesday 13th October 2009
A series of lectures focusing on the causes, implications and future direction of the current economic crisis has been launched by York St John University.
The Ebor Lectures on Theology and Public Life put the crisis which has affected millions into the spotlight, and sets it against a backdrop of religious faith and moral values. York St John is lead partner of the group of ecumenical organisations responsible for the Lectures.
High profile speakers such as Robert Peston, the BBC’s Business Editor, Andreas Whittam Smith, co-founder and first editor of The Independent and a former President of the British Board of Film Classification and the Rt Hon Tony Benn are featured on the programme. The first lecture, which is by Mr Whittam Smith, takes place on 14 October at York Minster.
Since their launch in 2006, the Ebor Lectures have established an enviable reputation for hosting prestigious speakers, promoting debate on topical issues and broadening discussion. Held annually, the Lectures are free and are jointly organised by York Minster, York St John University, York Institute for Community Theology, The Order of Carmelites and the Churches Regional Commission for Yorkshire and the Humber. The Lectures are the brainchild of Professor Sebastian Kim, the chair of theology and public life in the Faculty of Education & Theology at York St John.
Professor Dianne Willcocks, vice chancellor, said: “The lecture series was launched in response to the growing acknowledgement that theology can interact with and interpret issues of contemporary life. The lectures relate faith to public concerns and aim to promote and expand discussion about important subjects which affect all our lives.
“The current economic crisis has rightly occupied thousands of newspaper column inches and received hours of media coverage. There have been vociferous calls for the reform of our current capitalist market systems. What our Lectures do is to relate the moral to the political perspective,” she added.
In the past speakers have included Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, Shirley Williams, former Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords and Labour MP Clare Short.
Further information about 2009/10 series can be found at www.yorksj.ac.uk/eborlectures or contact the Ebor Lectures Co-ordinator on 01904 876474 or eborlectures@yorksj.ac.uk
