A big thank you to all of readers in 2016. Communications Executive Charlotte Binns looks back on the Foundation’s year…
There will be many a blog post written about 2016, not just as the year draws to a close, but in the years to come it will continue to be cited as the year when the world seemed to shift beneath our feet. Undoubtedly, as the Foundation enters a new year, we will be regularly responding to the new global political landscape. But without needing to look further than the boundaries of our organisation, we face 2017 with a mix of trepidation, resolve and hope. This year we lost our great friend and colleague John Atherton, who has been an anchor to the Foundation for four decades.
We pay tribute to the life and work of John Atherton here >>
While 2016 certainly poised challenges, we also celebrated many successes.
The second series of Temple Tracts has been very well received and increasing cited, and covered topics ranging from religion and civil society, to LGBT Muslims, to ethical consumerism. Guest writer Professor Craig Calhoun’s contribution ‘Religion, Government and the Public Good’ has proved especially popular and influential in shaping some of the post-Brexit debates.
Find out more and download Temple Tracts here >>
Re-imagining Religion and Belief for Policy and Practice, a project co-convened by Our Director Chris Baker, together with Professor Adam Dinham, made three successful research trips to Montreal, Oslo and Melbourne, as well as holding a discussion day in the House of Lords. The Foundation also played an important role in the Faith in Work network this year, taking our work on spiritual capital to a new level.
Read reflections from the House of Lords discussion day >>
Meanwhile, our own Faith and Flourishing Neighbourhoods Network held two engaging meetings reflecting on case studies and concepts of community and brings to a close the series on this theme. Members decided that there is much more to discuss and develop so resounding themes will be considered at their next meeting in February (all welcome).
Join the Faith and Flourishing Neighbourhoods Network >>
This year’s annual lecture was hosted at Christ Church, Oxford and delivered by Bishop Libby Lane. Bishop Libby spoke to a 60-strong audience on the theme of gender and sustainable transformation, followed by a lively question and answer session.
Watch the full lecture online here >>
Another big event the Foundation helped to organise this year, in partnership with the University of Worcester, marked the 75th Anniversary of the Malvern Conference. Our Director Chris Baker offered a keynote address to the conference which was titled ‘Social Justice: building a fairer, more equal society’.
On the blog, some of our most popular posts came from fantastic guest bloggers such as Ruth Valerio on embracing the monastic tradition today, Alison Webster on the Church and sexuality and Chris Heinhold on the challenges of researching Islam in the UK.
All that’s left now is for me to extend a big thank you to everyone who has helped to make this year special, from our Associate Research Fellows, to all our guest bloggers, and to everyone we’ve worked with this year. Here’s to 2017!
If you believe in our mission to continue and to develop William Temple’s legacy of social, economic and political justice, would you consider supporting our important work in 2017?
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