Populist movements by their very name aim to speak to the (ordinary) people. Isn’t that what Churches want to do, too? At the same time, many populist movements seem to be looking for too simplistic solutions for complex societal developments. How can Churches deal with this?
The CEC Online Academy on Populism taking place on 21st June (start 12.30 CET) until 22nd June (end 15.30 CET) 2021 will approach these complex questions in a dialogue centred online format. Participants from all across Europe are invited to learn together under the headline “Europe challenged by populism: Churches as ‘salt of the earth’? How to contribute to living peacefully together in diversity”. ICCS board member Bianca Kappelhoff is part of the preparing team, the CEC Thematic Group on education, democracy and diversity.
Reactions of Churches all over Europe to populist tendencies have been as various as the general discussion on populism. At the CEC Online Academy, participants are invited to widen their view and take into account each other’s position. The programme offers high-level keynotes as well as space for interactive exchange in order to deepen the understanding of the phenomenon of populism (possibly positive and negative sides!) and reflect on Churches’ options how to deal with these different aspects. Following the analogy of “salt of the earth”, the Online Academy will ask how Churches can become the “salt in the soup” to create a sense of community or how to use the “salt as an antiseptic” to heal wounds of division.
The focus will be on bringing people from various backgrounds and countries together and on creating a space for dialogue and learning together. Through case studies, good practices and sharing our own experiences, maybe we find together questions to simplistic answers and answers for simple questions!
Please find more information and the link to register on the CEC website here.
