Center for Interreligious Studies | Zentrum für interreligiöse Studien

A platform for interreligious research and teaching and interreligious space of encounter at the University of Innsbruck

Initiators
The Center for Interreligious Studies was founded by Martina Kraml, professor at the Institute for Practical Theology of the Catholic-Theological Faculty, and Zekirija Sejdini, professor at the Institute for Islamic Theology and Religious Pedagogy.

Occasion
Interreligious cooperation in teaching and research at the University of Innsbruck has been in practice at the University of Innsbruck since 2014, the Catholic-Theological Faculty, the Faculty for the Education of Teachers and the Institute for Islamic Theology and Pedagogy of Religion, founded in 2017, playing a major role. In order to institutionalize the cooperation, the Center for Interreligious Studies was founded in 2020 with the objective to render interreligious work visible and to offer a platform for cooperation to similar initiatives.

Target Groups

  • Staff of the University of Innsbruck and other universities interested in interreligious cooperation.
  • Institutions outside the university, in particular educational institutions.
  • Anyone interested in interreligious topics

Objectives

  • Creation of spaces of encounter and networking opportunities for those engaged in interreligious work
  • Enhancing of interreligious and intercultural skills through interreligious and interdisciplinary research and teaching as well as reflection of approaches
  • Further development of multi-perspective, divergence- and contingency-sensitive methodologies for interreligious research and teaching
  • Intensifying networks of plurality-competent theological approaches in the fields of religious pedagogy and didactics of religion
  • Strengthening plurality and heterogeneity competences in educational institutions and society by offering interreligious education, continuing education and further training
  • Demonstration and putting into effect of interreligious education for a society that is plurality-competent.

Topics

  • Interreligious and intercultural work
  • Research and teaching in the interreligious field
  • Interdisciplinarity – networking and cooperation
  • Scientific methodology and its advancement
  • Third Mission – contributions to a society proficient in plurality

Duration
The Center opened in 2020 for permanent operation and continuing development.

Activities

  • Panel discussion at the opening of the Centre
  • Interreligious talk series
  • Lectures and conferences
  • Courses on interreligious religious pedagogy, systematic theology and interreligious project development
  • Research project: “Interreligious Education as a Contribution to a Plurality-Competent Society with 'ability to plurality'"

Form of Organization
At the University of Innsbruck, „Centers“ designate initiatives without a specific form of organization. They may take on a different organizational form in the future.

Funding
Activities are generally funded by the University as well as by third party funds raised. The research project is sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs (BMEIA).

Products

Website | Social Media | Contact

www.uibk.ac.at/zirs/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Zentrum-für-Interreligiöse-Studien-104625454953252
YouTube-Channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UCTgh85nY0QkmqH0LCPcQ8zQ

Zentrum für Interreligiöse Studien
Universität Innsbruck
Karl-Rahner-Platz 1, Zi. E 04
A-6020 Innsbruck

T: +43 (0)512 507-8535/-8536
E-mail: zirs@uibk.ac.at

 

Prof. Zekirija Sejdini
T: + 43 512 507 4329
M: + 43 676872543290 (Neu)
E-mail: zekirija.sejdini@uibk.ac.at

Prof. Martina Kraml
T: +43 512 507 8660
M:+43 676 872 586 620
E-mail: martina.kraml@uibk.ac.at


editor: ew 2022