Debate on Multiculturalism at Kujawy and Pomorze University in Bydgoszcz
Over a hundred representatives of different countries, cultures and religions from 32 Polish and foreign universities debated about multiculturalism and problems of the modern world during the International Interdisciplinary Conference “One world – many cultures” at Kujawy and Pomorze University in Bydgoszcz.
Refering to the 25th anniversary of meeting of different faiths representatives in Assisi, the Conference was held on 27th and 28th October 2011 and subtitled "Pilgrims of truth, pilgrims of peace. Dialogue of cultures, civilizations, religions in the times of globalization". It was organized by KPU together with Vatican Foundation: Joseph Ratzinger - Benedict XVI. The coorganizers also include Kujavian and Pomeranian Voivodeship Marshal’s Office and the City Hall of Bydgoszcz.
Among participants from a dozen or so foreign scientific institutions there were scientists from Italy, Austria, Germany, Spain, the United States, Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Turkey, Kirgizstan, Ukraine, Latvia and Switzerland. There were also the representatives from over 20 Polish universities and institutions, such as Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poznań University of Economics, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Wrocław University of Economics, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, University of Gdańsk, the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Cracow, Catholic University of Lublin.
The participants included experts in many disciplines, namely, theologians, political scientists, lawyers, sociologists, historians, educators, economists, media specialists. The debates were held in panels. The first one related to the dialogue of cultures, civilizations and religions, the second was devoted to economy and its social environment, the third focused on legal and administrative systems as confronted with the problems of contemporary world, while the fourth panel concerned pedagogy and education as confronted with the challenges of modern civilization. Additionally, presentations and discussions in the fifth, student panel were broadly related to the Conference title „One world – many cultures”.
Several guests participated in the inauguration ceremony and plenary session. We were honoured to host politicians, local authorities, clerymen, academics. The most significant participants include: Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Apostolic Nuncio in Poland, Monsignore Giuseppe Scotti, the Chairman of the Vatican Foundation: Joseph Ratzinger – Benedict XVI, Archbishop Henryk Muszyński, Senior Primate, Bishop Wojciech Polak, General Secretary of Polish Episcopate Conference, Bishop Jan Tyrawa, Ordynary of Bydgoszcz Diocese, senator Andrzej Kobiak, MP Tomasz Latos, Ewa Mes, the Voivode of Kujavia and Pomerania Region, Rafał Bruski, the Mayor of Bydgoszcz, Edward Hartwich, Deputy Marshal of Kujavia and Pomerania Voivodeship, Wojciech Porzych, Starost of Bydgoszcz, Rev. Lech Rynkiewicz, deputy director of Vatican Radio in Rome, under the patronage of which the Conference was held, prof. dr hab. Salidin Kaldybaev, the Rector of Naryn State University in Kirgzstan, Rev. dr Wojciech Szukalski, the Rector of Higher Seminary of Bydgoszcz Diocese, Fr. dr Marek Walkusz, the Rector of Higher Missionary Semianary of Holy Spirit Congregation in Bydgoszcz, prof. nadzw. dr hab. Sławomir Tecław, the University of Bydgoszcz Rector, prof. Anna Nowak, Vice-Rector of Music Academy of Bydgoszcz, prof. dr hab. inż. Wojciech Kapelański, Vice-Rektor of University of Technology and Life Sciences in Bydgoszcz, prof. dr hab. Galina Tarasenko, the representative of the Rector of National Pedagogical University of Winnytsia in Ukraine, prof. dr hab. Vera Petruk, the representative of the Rector of Technical University of Vinnytsia in Ukraine, dr Olga Sobko, representing Tarnopil National Economic Univesity in Ukraine, prof. UKW dr hab. Dariusz Łukasiewicz, director of Philosophical Instytute of Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, dr Marek Chamot, director of Culture Studies Institute of University of Economics in Bydgoszcz.
The next debate of “One world – many cultures” series will be held on 25th and 26th October 2012.
II International Interdisciplinary Conference
One world – many cultures
Dialogue of cultures, civilisations, religions in the time of globalisation
27-28 October 2011
Kujawy and Pomorze University (KPSW) in Bydgoszcz and the Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) Vatican Foundation
are pleased to announce that
the International scientific conference
will take place on the day of
the 25th anniversary of John Paul II’s meeting
with the representatives of different religions
in Assisi on the 27th October 1986.
The Conference will be held at the university, in the heart of Bydgoszcz, at 55-57, Toruńska Street. As an annual event, it was initiated in 2010 at Kujawy and Pomorze University (KPSW). This year´s edition is meant as another episode in a series of meetings of scientists and scholars, devoted to intercultural dialogue and exchange of ideas concerning today´s global problems. This year, the Conference will focus in particular on dialogue between faiths. Thus, appropriately, its date will fall on the 25th anniversary of John Paul II’s meeting in Assisi. The Conference aims to offer an opportunity for scientific reflection and intellectually deepened dialogue to a wide range of cultural experts, political scientists, sociologists, historians, theologists, educators, economists, media specialists and representatives of other fields of arts and sciences.
This time, the Conference is co-organized by the Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) Vatican Foundation(www.fondazioneratzinger.va/en_index.htm), whose aim is to promote knowledge, organize and support scientific and cultural congresses, and reward scientists for their outstanding achievements (publications and research). The participation of the Joseph Ratzinger Foundation is not only an expression of cooperation with the University, but also a guarantee of a deep scholarly reflection on multiculturalism in the modern world. The conference is an invitation for everyone, regardless of their religion, to participate in a dialogue aimed at consensus. It intends to provide an opportunity to learn how a wide range of diverse human communities may coexist in an increasingly globalized world.
Sessions will be divided into the following panels:
Dialogue of cultures, civilisations and religions
Economy and its social environment
Legal and administrative systems as confronted with the problems of contemporary world
Politics and the media in international communication
Pedagogy and education as confronted with the challenges of modern civilisation
Multicultural dialogue in the English speaking countries and in the Ibero & Ibero-American cultures
Students’ panel: One world – many cultures
The official conference languages are Polish and English.
Information and contact:
Kujawsko-Pomorska Szkoła Wyższa
M. Piotrowskiego Street 12-14
85-098 Bydgoszcz
tel. (+48) 52 346-08-78
mobile: (+48) 510 082 878
e-mail: www.oneworld-manycultures.kpsw.edu.pl
