Religion and the charitable society in China
| Date: | 1 July 2010 5.00pm - 3 July 2010 5.00pm |
| Location: | The Pavilion, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London |
| RSVP to: | to Dr Gerda Wielander at G.Wielander@westminster.ac.uk ASAP |
| For further information: | Dr Gerda Wielander: G.Wielander@westminster.ac.uk: |
Fighting poverty and reviving civil society are global political priorities; the concept of "big society" is not confined to Britain. Addressing the stark inequalities produced by decades of market reform tops the Chinese government's agenda. The degeneration of public social mores, often explained by the post-Mao demise of socialist values, social protest, and financial and organisational constraints have led to the government's re-evaluation of social, and in particular religious organisations and their contribution to society.
Attendance of the conference is free of charge. However, places are limited and by invitation only. If you would like to attend this event, please register your interest, including a very brief outline of your research interest, with Gerda Wielander at G.Wielander@westminster.ac.uk ASAP.
If you have any questions regarding this event please contact the conference organiser, Dr Gerda Wielander at G.Wielander@westminster.ac.uk
Provisional Conference Programme
Thursday 1 July
16:45 Welcome
17:00 Key-note Lecture followed by Q&A
Prof Richard Madsen (University of California, San Diego)
From Socialist Ideology to Cultural Heritage: the Changing Basis of Legitimacy in the People’s Republic of China
18:30 Launch of the New Research Centre
Prof Harriet Evans (Director, Research Centre)
Honorary Speaker
Paul Robertson (Head of Department of Modern and Applied Languages)
19:00 Reception
Friday 2 July
9:00-9:30 Registration and coffee
9:30-11:15 Opening Lecture
Prof Yan Yunxiang (University of California, Los Angeles)
The changing moral landscape in post-Mao China
Discussant: Prof Stephan Feuchtwang (LSE)
Coffee Break
11:30-13:00
Dr Adam Chau (University of Cambridge)
The formation of charitable habitus through religion
Discussant: Prof Harriet Evans (University of Westminster, London)
13:00-14:00 Lunch
14:00-15:30
Dr Gerda Wielander (University of Westminster)
Christian Love and the Harmonious Society
Discussant: Caroline Fielder (University of Leeds)
Coffee Break
16:00-17:30
Dr Julia Huang (National Tsinghua University, Taiwan)
Providers and Facilitators: Religion and Charities among the Chinese in Malacca, Malaysia
Discussant: Prof Richard Madsen
Saturday, 3 July
9:00-9:30 Registration and coffee
9:30-11:00
Prof Zhao Yanxia (University of Wales, Lampeter)
The role of the Daoist religion in China’s charitable sector
Discussant: Dr Adam Chau
11:00-12:30
Caroline Fielder (University of Leeds)
Meeting social need through charity: religious contributions in China
Discussant: Dr Julia Huang (National Tsinghua University, Taiwan)
12:30-14:00 Lunch
14:00-14:30 Reflections on main emerging themes by Prof Yan Yunxiang
14:30-16:30 Plenary and Discussion
16:45 Concluding Remarks
17:00 End of conference (building closes)