31st International Symposium (Sophia Symposium) "Education with a Social Dimension: the Challenges of Globalization"

Organized by:
Institute of Global Concern, Sophia University and Social Science Research Institute, International Christian University

Theme:
A sincere desire to contribute to the welfare and creative progress of the world, as we share in the hope and suffering of the humanity, based on an acute awareness of the rapidly changing contemporary society, forms an integral part of the educational ideals of Sophia University. The Institute of Global Concern has been engaged in research, conscientization, and practical activities since its founding in 2010 (through the reorganization of the Institute for the Study of Social Justice), with a goal to build on and renew the traditions of the “Sophia School” that rejects the naïve objectivist tendencies of much of the mainstream social scientific research today by seeking to uphold the dignity and solidarity of humans in the globalizing world, standing “with Others.”
International Christian University, too, makes it clear in its mission statement that knowledge that is discovered and taught is not an end in itself but carries with it the responsibility for improving society.

The Joint International Symposium cohosted by the two universities this year makes “Education with a Social Dimension” its overall theme. The supremacy of neoliberal globalization rendered the violation of humanity though physical force and poverty commonplace in both developed and developing regions today. Can universities ally with global civic counter-movements to reverse these trends? Can they stand by the dignity and subjective engagement of the vulnerable and contribute to the establishment of solidarity between humans and communities? We explore the social role of universities in a world dominated by the logic of corporations and economy.

Date: Saturday December 10, 2011
Time: 10am-5:45pm (followed by a reception 6-8pm)
Venue: International Conference Room, 17th Floor, #2 Building, Sophia University No Prior Registration Necessary English-Japanese Simultaneous Interpretation Free of Charge

10:00 Opening Remarks
Welcome Address: Yamaoka Sanji, S.J. (Trustee for General Affairs, Sophia School Corporation)
Oritentation: Nakano Koichi (Director, Institute of Global Concern, Sophia University)

10:20-12:30 Keynote Speeches
“Education for a Just, Compassionate and Sustainable World”
Mark Raper, S.J. (President, Jesuit Conference of Asia
Pacific)

“The Socially Responsible University”
Francisco de Roux, S.J. (Provincial, Society of Jesus, Colombia Province)

Chair: Mark Langager (Senior Associate Professor, International Christian University)
Discussant: Hataya Noriko (Member, Institute of Global Concern, Sophia University)

13:30-15:30 Panel Discussions 1
“From ‘The Personal’ to ‘The Social’: We Lift Our Students On High”
Tsutsui Miki (Associate Professor, Hosei University)

“Circumventing the State: Global Partnerships between NGOs and Universities for Equal Educational Opportunity of Ethnolinguistic Minorities in Cambodia”
Walter Dawson (Associate Professor, International Christian University)

“NGO Activities, Civic Movements, and the University:
For an Academe with a Warm Heart”
Murai Yoshinori (Member, Institute of Global Concern, Sophia University)

Chair: Fukutake Shintaro (Member, Institute of Global Concern, Sophia University)
Discussants: Fr Raper and Fr De Roux

15:50-16:00 Joint Prayer
Rev. Paul Johnson (Pastor, International Christian
University) Juan Haidar, S.J. (Vice-Director, Institute of Global Concern, Sophia University)

16:00-17:30 Panel Discussions 2

17:30-17:45 Closing Remarks
Wilhelm Vosse (Director, Social Science Research Institute, International Christian University)

18:00- Reception=