Organized by the Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Split, Faculty of Theology, University of Ljubljana and the Department of Religious Pedagogy and Didactics, University of Passau, the International Scientific Conference "To Incite Creativity. Learning and Teaching Challenges in the Context of Pandemic and Migration" took place on Friday, September 10. 29 heads or members of 10 religion, pedagogy and catechesis departments attended the symposium, coming from six countries and nine cities: Passau, Krakow, Innsbruck, Graz, Ljubljana, Mostar, Zagreb, Zadar and Split.
The scientific community and whole society are looking for a solution to the global crisis caused by the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. Economic, social and political migrations of the population are also changing Europe’s social structure. Will this crisis be temporary, after which we will return to "normal" life? How will it affect the learning and teaching processes and the Church’s pastoral role? These are just some of the questions to which the assembled experts answered, presenting latest scientific findings and possible perspectives.
On behalf of the symposium’s Organizing Committee at the beginning, those present were greeted by prof. Jadranka Garmaz Ph.D., Head of Department of Religious Pedagogy and Catechesis, saying that everyone present wants to open space for dialogue, cooperation, exchange of research on education, learning and teaching faith and quality of life during pandemic and migrations.
Participants were also addressed by assoc. prof. Janez Vodičar Ph.D., Faculty of Theology in Ljubljana’s dean, prof. Mladen Parlov Ph.D., KBF’s dean, University of Split, prof. Goran Kardum Ph.D., Vice-Rector for Teaching - on behalf of the University of Split and its Rector prof. Dragan Ljutić Ph.D., finally Msgr. Dražen Kutleša, KBF in Split’s Grand Chancellor and Archbishop’s coadjutor (assistant) in the Split-Makarska Archdiocese, who concluded that, long ago, Aristotle taught that there were three reasons why men pursue science: the most important is the search for truth, next is moral action, and finally the power or ability to make something, that is technique or an applied science, today we would call the field STEM. The modern world turned Aristotle upside down. That is why gatherings like this are important to remind us of human creativity and responsibility in all life circumstances. Apart from that, they remind us that God did not forget us, as he calls on us today to be creative and, together with him, overcome difficulties and troubles we are facing - concluded Msgr. Kutleša when he opened the symposium.