Sophia Global Studies

 

Sophia University Institute is set to open a new centre

for research, training, and dialogue in the heart of Tuscany

Building on the foundation of ten years of academic success, Sophia University Institute will launch Sophia Global Studies, a new centre for research, training, and dialogue. The inauguration ceremony will take place on Wednesday, October 24 at 9 a.m. Sophia Global Studies (SGS) is the brainchild of Sophia University Institute. It is intended to foster the development of today’s youth into well-rounded leaders of tomorrow—leaders capable of facing global complexities and equipped with tools to promote dialogue and peace. Its mission is to organize, promote, and support research and training initiatives, as well as short courses and seminars. Its programs are aimed at forming a new generation of leaders, educators, politicians, and managers.

 

“The complexities of today’s world require integrated and unified perspectives,” said Paolo Frizzi, the academic coordinator of this new initiative. “Over the past ten years, Sophia has established itself as an international, intercultural, and trans-disciplinary institution. Now, Sophia Global Studies aims to become a trans-disciplinary and cross-cultural point of reference in the field of global studies, putting into dialogue the expertise coming from different disciplines like Economics, Law, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology and Theology”.

 

He further explained that the centre will address world challenges and transformations with a particular attention to and appreciation for the rich resources that emerge from various socio-cultural contexts. According to Frizzi, “Sophia Global Studies’ purpose is to offer a platform where to share researches, experiences and innovative perspectives regarding the global challenges and opportunities, networking with other cultural as well as academic programs and initiative which are working toward similar goals”.

 

The inauguration ceremony will commence with a forum aimed at exploring some of the most critical perspectives on global transformations. It will include a keynote speech by Oliver Roy entitled “Europe, Religions, and Identities between Globalization and Fragmentation,” as well as concluding remarks by the president of Sophia Global Studies, Italian ambassador Pasquale Ferrara.

 

Inauguration forum: “Perspectives on Global Transformations”
24th October 2017, 9.00-13.00 - Aula Magna, Sophia University Institute

 

9.00 OPENING REMARKS
Paolo Frizzi, Academic Coordinator - Sophia Global Studies

 

9.10 KEYNOTE SPEECH "Europe, Religions and Identity between Globalization and Fragmentation"
Olivier Roy, European University Institute

 

10.00 FIRST SESSION "Religions in the Global World"

Chair: Israa Safieddine, Islamic Centre of England
Discussants: Fabio Petito, University of Sussex
Adnane Mokrani, Pontificio Istituto di Studi Arabi e d'Islamistica
Roberto Catalano, Focolare Movement
Dialogue

 

11.20 SECOND SESSION "Europe in a Changing World"

Chair: Arooj Javed, Sophia University Institute
Discussants: Leonce Békemans, University of Padua
Esther Salamanca Aguado, University of Valladolid
Annette Pelkmans-Balaoing, Erasmus University Rotterdam
Dialogue

 

12.20 CONCLUDING REMARKS

Pasquale Ferrara, President - Sophia Global Studies