'Let the beauty we love be what we do'-Rumi
‘Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see’-Mark Twain
'Many will be shocked to find,when the Day of Judgment nears, that there's a special place in heavenset aside for volunteers’-Author unknown
‘The World is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion’-Thomas Paine
Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative (GCGI)
And
School of Economic Science (SES)
13thGCGI International Conference and the 3rd Joint GCGI andSESForum
Why Values Matter
The Power of Purpose and Values: The Path to a Better World
Wednesday 31 August-Sunday 4 September, 2016
Hosted at Waterperry House, Nr. Oxford
Final Programme
From Oxford 2002 to Oxford 2016: Portrait of a Great Journey for the Common Good
Plater College, Oxford (2002)- St. Petersburg, Russia (2003)- Dubai, UAE (2004)- Nairobi and Kericho, Kenya(2005)- Chaminade University, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (2006)-Fatih University, Istanbul, Turkey (2007)- Trinity College, University of Melbourne, Australia (2008)- Loyola University, Chicago, USA (2009)- California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, California, USA (2010)- Alexandria Bibliotheca, Alexandria, Egypt (2011—Postponed, due to the Revolution in Egypt)- School of Economic Science, Oxford Campus, Waterperry House, Oxford, UK (2012), Cité universitaire internationale, Paris, France (2013), and School of Economic Science, Oxford Campus, Waterperry House, Oxford, UK (2014 and 2016)
“A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.” Buddha
‘We have to build a better man before we can build a better society.’-Paul Tillich
“Try not to become a man of success, but a man of value” Albert Einstein
Building a better world, the world of values in the interest of the common good is indeed a holistic journey. It encompasses all our relationships in our daily lives, from how we interact with each other, across diversity, to how we care for the planet and steward our resources and how we relate to a faith or spiritual values and envision a future bigger than ourselves. Our Conference this year, similar to the previous ones, will take participants on a journey into building and co-creating the better world we are all yearning for.
What does it mean to be human? What does it mean to live a life of meaning and purpose? What does it mean to understand and appreciate the natural world? ...To forge a more just society for the common good? In what ways are we living our highest values? How are we working to embody change we wish to see in the world? What projects, models or initiatives give us the greatest hope?
How can we do well in life by doing good? How can we become agents of change for the common good? How to spark a new public conversation framed around human dignity and the common good? Human beings have explored these many questions of value through religion, philosophy, the creation of art and literature, and more. Indeed, questions of value have inaugurated many disciplines within the humanities and continue to drive them today. Questions about values and valuing are fundamental to being human, but rarely are the subject of explicit public reflection. The Conference will explore how values-led action can be a resource for renewal.
Photo: coolgraphic.org
In Search of the Light to Build a Better World
This week, all of us, experienced and newcomers, young and old, students and teachers together will form a community, committed to exploring and debating visions and ideas for celebrating diversity, appreciating uniqueness, and acting in the interest of the common good, to enabling ourselves to transform disagreements into understanding, competition into cooperation and mutual respect. In addition to keynote speeches, plenary sessions and storytelling roundtable, there will be opportunities for informal spontaneous meetings and dialogue between participants all through the week. This, I sincerely hope will result in invaluable collaborative learning experiences and networking as well as rich personal interactions. Please try to participate also in the cultural and social activities to cement further the newly formed friendships. I hope you will take full advantage of all these activities.
Furthermore, I invite you to share a common belief in the potential of each one of us to become self-directed, empowered, and active in defining this time in the world as opportunity for positive change and healing and for the true formation of a culture of peace by giving thanks, spreading joy, sharing love, seeing miracles, discovering goodness, embracing kindness, practicing patience, teaching tolerance, encouraging laughter, celebrating diversity, showing compassion, turning from hatred, practicing forgiveness, peacefully resolving conflicts, communicating non-violently, choosing happiness and enjoying life.
Have a wonderful conference.
Have a wonderful time.
Kamran Mofid
GCGI Conference Series Founder Convenor
Wednesday, 31 August
1.00pm onwards: Arrival and Registration at Waterperry House
5.30-6.00pm
Drink Reception
6.00-7.30pm
Dinner
7.30-7.45pm
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Ian Mason, Principal of the School of Economic Science
Prof. Kamran Mofid, Founder, Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative (GCGI)
7.45-9.00pm
Opening Address
Moderator: Prof. Kamran Mofid
Professor W. Richard Bowen, FREng: “Engineering for the Common Good”
THURSDAY, 1 September
6.45-7.15am
Meditation and Mindfulness
(Guide: Prof. Steve Szeghi)
7.45-8.45am
Breakfast
9.00-10.00am
Plenary I
What does it mean to understand and appreciate the natural world? (I)
Moderator: Prof. Kamran Mofid
Prof. Steve Szeghi: ‘The Value of Values: The Centrality of Nature in our Humanity and Spirituality’
10.00-11.00am
Keynote I
The Challenge of Scientific Responsibility for the Future of Economic and Political Science
Moderator: Prof. Kamran Mofid
Prof. Winston P. Nagan, FRSA: “Homoeconomico-politicus, Scientific Consciousness, and the Defense of Fundamental Values in the Context of the Climate Change Crisis”
11.00-11.30am
Tea/Coffee Break
11.30-1.00pm
Plenary II
Seeking the Common Good: Values of Hizmet Movement
Introductory remarks and Moderator: Kerim Balci
Dr Mustafa Demir & Dr Omer Sener: “Dialogue to build an ideal Society: Hizmet inspired dialogue in the southeast of Turkey”
Dr Ismail Mesut Sezgin: “The Positive Values of Hizmet and their Role in Creating a Better Society”
Merve Reyhan Kayikci: “Taking Care of’ the Other, Cultivating the Self: The Ethics of Social Interaction”
1.00-2.15pm
Lunch
2.30-4.00pm
Plenary III
Youth and Education: A Perspective from the Belgian-Turkish Youth within the Hizmet Movement
Moderator: Rosemary Dewan
Yunus Denizli: “Values for Youth-Social Responsibility: Customization of Social Responsibility”
Dr. Erkan Toguslu: “Educational Philosophy of Gulen”
Dr. Fatih Isik: “A Spiritual and Dialogic Approach to Education of Moral Values”
4.15-5.15pm
Keynote II
What does it mean to understand and appreciate the natural world? (II)
Moderator: Prof. Steve Szeghi
Ian Mason: “Natural Law and Natural Values”
7.00pm- late
Dinner in Oxford hosted by the Dialogue Society (http://www.dialoguesociety.org/ )
*(Residential participants please assemble at the entrance hall by 6.00pm to board the coach to the dinner venue)
FRIDAY, 2 September
6.45-7.15am
Meditation and Mindfulness
(Guide: Prof. Steve Szeghi)
7.45-8.45am
Breakfast
9.00-10.00am
Keynote III
Moderator: Peter Holland
Laura Hyde: “How can schools inspire a new generation to live according to the highest human values?"
10.00-11.00am
Plenary IV
Values-led Education
Moderator: Anthony Werner
Rosemary Dewan: “Why Developing a Fluency in Values Matters during School Days”
11.00-11.30am
Tea/Coffee Break
11.30-1.00pm
Plenary V An Interactive Panel Discussion
Putting Values into Action: Why is it so hard?
Introductory remarks and Moderator: Prof. Kamran Mofid
Panel Speakers and Discussants:
Simon Lamb
Laura Hyde
Alan Williams
Charles Fowler
1.00-2.30pm
Lunch
2.30-3.45pm
Plenary VI
Religions in the age of Globalisation
Moderator: Dr. Mustafa Demir
Rev. Dr. Marcus Braybrooke: “The Globalisation of Religions: for the Common Good?”
Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh: “Globalisation and Values: A Sikh Perspective”
4.00-6.15pm
Time to ponder and a time to reflect: Storytelling for the Common Good
Introductory remarks and Moderator: Prof. Kamran Mofid
The Storyteller: Anker Grossvater, 1884, Museum of Art of Bern
The Storyttelers and their Stories:
Rev. Dr. Marcus Braybrooke and Mary Braybrooke: “Cared for at Cape Comorin. Your Prayers have given me hope. Taking Bullets to South Korea”
Bishop Domen Kocevar: “Universal Value of One Humanity and its Anchoring in the World: My Story to tell”
Brigitte Volz: “German Women’s Thread of Life”
Hugh Venables: “Education Renaissance Trust: Our Story”
Shahriar Ashrafkhorasani: “From Tehran to Oxford: A Personal Exploration of Truth and Love with Fear and Trembling”
6.30-7.45pm
Dinner at Waterperry House
8.00pm-Late
Drinks (Honesty-Box), Conversation and Dialogue
SATURDAY, 3 September
6.45-7.15am
Meditation and Mindfulness
(Guide: Prof. Steve Szeghi)
7.45-8.45am
Breakfast
9.00-11.00am
Plenary VII
Seeking meaning and purpose in the world of business& economics: The Value of Values
Moderator: Dr. Peter Bowman
Prof. Steve Szeghi: “Economics, Spirituality, and Values”
Paul Palmarozza:” “The Ethical Entrepreneur”
Richard Garry: “Ethical Values for eternity”
Gherardo Girardi: “Stakeholder vs Shareholder approaches to company purpose and identity: A comparison of firms’ financial performance”
11.00-11.30am
Tea/Coffee Break
11.30-12.30pm
Plenary VIII An Interactive Panel Discussion
Moderator: Prof. Ann Hallock
John Hough: “What values would you apply in working through the ethical and moral dilemmas if you had Robin’s capabilities?”
1.00-2.30pm
Lunch
3.00-4.00pm
Roundtable: The Conference Coming Together- A Time to Share
A Conversation and Dialogue: Let the Light Shine in
The Conference: “The Power of Purpose and Values: The Path to a Better World”: Summing-up
5.30- 9.30pm
Conference Gala Dinner and the GCGI Award Presentation
5.30- 6.00pm
Drink Reception
6.15- 7.15pm
Concert by Discantus at WaterperryHouseChurch
St Mary the Virgin, Waterperry, Oxfordshire
Discantus, a choir of about 30 voices, is widely experienced. It has performed in many cities in the UK and has traveled to several different countries to give concerts. Bruce Ramell is the leader of the choir and has led it since its formation in 1988
7.30- 8.30pm
Conference Dinner
8.30- 9.30pm
Moderator: Prof. Kamran Mofid
GCGI Award Ceremony and Keynote Address by Sir Anthony Seldon
SUNDAY, 4 September
6.45-7.15am
Meditation and Mindfulness
(Guide: Prof. Steve Szeghi)
7.45-8.45am
Breakfast
9.00-11.30am
Keynote IV and Plenary IX
Moderator: Prof. Kamran Mofid
9.00-10.00am
Keynote IV
Prof. Alan Williams: “Rumi and his many ways of speaking: the Masnavi and the lyric poems”
10.00-11.30am
Plenary IX
Dr. Aida Foroutan: “The view from the Artist’s palette/palate: a narrative of Women’s Life as visualisations across cultures”
Mansoureh Sharifzadeh: “The Story of an Iranian Woman Studying at an American College in Tehran (1974-1978)”
11.30am Vote of thanks by Prof. Kamran Mofid
11.45am Close of Conference
List of Speakers
(More detailed biographical notes are provided in the Book of Abstracts)
* Shahriar Ashrafkhorasani, Master Candidate, University of Oxford, Organiser, Oxford Open Discussion Network
*Kerim Balci, Editor-in-Chief , Turkish Review, a bimonthly journal published by Zaman Media Group of Turkey, Istanbul, Turkey
*Dr. Peter Bowman, University Preparatory Certificate for Science and Engineering, UniversityCollege, and Head of Economics, School of Economic Science, London, UK
*Prof. W. Richard Bowen, Royal Academy of Engineering, UK
*Rev Dr Marcus Braybrooke, President of the World Congress of Faiths, Co-Founder of the Three Faiths Forum, a Peace Councillor and a Patron of the International Interfaith Centre at Oxford, UK
*Mary Braybrooke, retired medical social worker, Oxford, UK
*Dr. Mustafa Demir, co-director and Research Fellow, Turkey Institute, London, UK
*Yunus Denizli,ForYouth, Belgium
*Rosemary Dewan,Chief Executive, Human Values Foundation, UK
*Charles Fowler, Chairman, Human Values Foundation, and Member of Steering Group of UK Values Alliance, UK
*Dr. Aida Foroutan, Lecturer in Persian Literature, University of Manchester, UK
*Richard Garry,Tutor, Philosophy course, School of Economic Scienc, London, UK
*Sesto Giovanni Castagnoli, Evolutant and Entrepreneur, Founder, WSF World Spirit Forum, Switzerland
*Gabriele Castagnoli, Founder, oralab, Switzerland
*Dr. Gherardo Girardi, Senior Lecturer in Economics, Faculty of Business & Law, London Metropolitan University, UK
*Ann Hallock, former Prof. Of behavioural medicine, Michigan State University, USA
*Peter Holland, School of Economic Science, London, UK
*John Hough, The Loxley Trust: A Modern-Day Robin Hood, UK
*Laura Hyde, former head of St. James Senior Girls School, London, UK
*Dr. Fatih Isik, rechearcher and author on education, social and moral development and citizenship, UK
*Merve Rehyan Kayikci, PhD cadidate (2013-2017) at Catholic University of Leuven (K U Leuven), Belgium
*Simon Lamb, CEO, Purposeful Change, UK
*Ian Mason, Principal of the School of Economic Science, London, UK
*Bishop Domen Kocevar, Founder/Director, Theosophical Library of Alma. M. Karlin, Slovenia
*Prof. Kamran Mofid, Founder, Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative (GCGI), UK
*Prof. Winston P. Nagan, FRSA, Samuel T. Dell Research Scholar Professor of Law, LevinCollegeofLaw,UniversityofFlorida, USA
*Paul Palmarozza, Partner, Principled Business, and Head of Philosophy in Business group, School of Economic Science, UK
*Sir Anthony Seldon, Vice-Chancellor, University of Buckingham, and former Master, Wellington College, UK
*Dr. Omer Sener, researcher and freelance writer on ethnicity, multiculturalism and cultural narratives.
*Dr. Ismail Mesut Sezgin, Executive Director, Centre for Hizment Studies, London, UK
*Mansoureh Sharifzadeh, former English Language Instructor, The Ministry Of Education, Tehran, Iran
*Dr. Uli Spalthoff, Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies, Germany
*Prof. Steve Szeghi, Dept of Economics, Wilmington College, Ohio, USA and Co-Founder/Editor GCGI Journal, UK/USA
*Dr. Erkan Toguslu, Gulen Chair, CatholicUniversity of Leuven (K U Leuven), Belgium
*Hugh Venables, Education Renaissance Trust (ERT), London, UK
*Brigitte Volz, Volunteer, artist and teacher, “Learning and Creating” as well as “Art and Handicap”, Germany
*Anthony Werner, Editor-in-Chief, Shepheard-Walwyn Publishers, London, UK
*Prof. Alan Williams, Professor of Iranian Studies and Comparative Religion, University of Manchester, UK
*Alan Williams, a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality, a Board member of the British Quality Foundation, a past President of the Meetings Industry Association and a Steering Group member of the recently formed UK Values Alliance.
Wishing you safe travels to the Waterperry House and we are very much looking forward to welcoming you to the conference.