Summerschool

Monday 7th of July : Hope as a motor for resistance

• Frédéric Rognon – Professor of philosophy  at the Protestant Theology Faculty of the University of Strasbourg ; specialist on Jacques Ellul

When everything seems desperate, how can we continue to hope? Jacques Ellul, the well-known Protestant thinker and writer was also a member of the French Résistance during World War 2.

Combining intellectual rigour and practical experience, Ellul developed theories of resistance leading to action. According to Ellul,  genuine hope arises from despair, exactly when we feel lost and hopeless.

Tuesday 8th of July : Keep supporting Democracy !

The Greek expression ‘Demos kratos’ means : ‘the common people rule’. A key foundation of democracy is the belief that the collective decisions and actions of ordinary men and women are a (much) better way to organise human society that the whims of autocrats and tyrants. But democracy is never perfect. In times of despair as regards politics and politicians, what can religions contribute ?

• Lilia Bensedrine Thabet : Co-Chair of the Committee for interreligious & interconvictional Dialogue at the Council of Europe
• Mathieu Busch : Director of the association Christian Action in the Middle-East (ACO)

Wednesday 9th of July : Don’t drop ecology !

Can we still hope that humanity will rise to the ecological challenges? It is necessary, because to stop acting would only worsen the current situation. It is therefore crucial to keep hoping and working.

Is it still realistic to hope that humanity will rise to the numerous ecological challenges? Western societies are experiencing pushback against what some see as the excessive costs of pro-environmental policies.  But many others say that time has almost run out to preserve our planet, and that radical action is now required. Good national and international policies are necessary – but there is also much that individuals can do – and are doing – in their local communities, associations, and non gouvernemental organisations.

Trip to Strasbourg : visit of the protestant parish of Illkirch – Graffenstaden engaged in the Green Church Mouvement and the Great Mosque of Strasbourg

• Amaury Charras : pastor of the protestant parish of Illkirch – Graffenstaden
• Jean-Sebastien Ingrand : project manager for climate justice of the Union of Protestant Churches in Alsace Lorraine (UEPAL)
• Hala Bounaidja-Rachedi and Martin Kopp, two members of Greenfaith a movement of people of faith around the globe who are organizing ambitious and faith-rooted climate actions to create a livable future 
• Kalilou Sylla : Imam of the Great Mosque of Strasbourg

Thursday 10th of July : Technology: source of hope or a threat for humanity?

Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) an opportunity or a threat to humanity ? Which are the challenges facing humanity in the age of artificial intelligence? Modern societies are increasingly captivated and seduced  by the power of such tools. Whilst many in positions of power place their ‘faith’ in machines, how can we preserve our humanity ?

• Cédric Bischetti : Social Entrepreneur and Expert in Human Intelligence – Companies : NooToos Pro & Eokin
• Adrien Delaunay: Entrepreneur and Expert in Human Cooperation – Company : Entreprise Vivante

Visit to the Natzweiler – Struthof concentration camp: a place where  20th century technology and processes were deployed to persecute and to dehumanise.

Friday 11th of July : Resources for hope and action!

Our world is shaking, and some might say collapsing. There can be a temptation to give up and let go. The French have an apt expression : Après moi, la déluge. But we can choose to hope and to act.

• Louise Morel, one of the youngest Députés of the French Assemblée Nationale. She is also Secretary  of the Economic Affairs Committee and of the European Affairs Committee, and a member of the Groupe Démocrate (MoDem et Indépendants),  the 5th largest political group in the Assemblée Nationale.

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The Summer School is co-organized by Nathan Doude van Troostwijk, political science student in Brussels and Ulysse Gounelle, political science student in Insbrück

The Summer school invites young adults (aged 18 to 30) to apply. There will be 15 places available. We want to create a group with participants from different backgrounds: interconvictionnal, international, from Europe and the Middle East, with different centers of interest: politics, economics, arts, philosophy, humanities, law, ecology…

Do join us for the 2025 Summer School!

Langage : English
Full board: €60. Excluding travel expenses. Please contact us if the boarding fee is a problem.