The conference took place on 17 and 18 December 2025 in Münster and focused on the topic of environmental protection and sustainability in the context of religious studies on Christianity and Buddhism. Presentations were given in German and Japanese facilitated an intercultural and interdisciplinary dialogue on environmental issues.
„Religiöse Pluralität im globalen Horizont erkunden. Kritische Perspektiven aus Religionswissenschaft und Interkultureller Theologie“
On Wednesday, 26 November 2025, at 4.00 pm , Professor Dr Simone Sinn gave her inaugural lecture in Lecture Theatre F2 (Fürstenberghaus), followed by a reception at the Faculty of Protestant Theology.
Conference: The Role of Islam and Christianity in Public Space
Perspectives from Indonesia and Germany
26. – 28. September 2025
Location: JO1, Johannisstr. 4, Münster
Thematic Panels:
Role of Religion in Public Space
Religion and Democracy
Religion and Ecology
Religion and Gender
Religion and Education
Interpreting the Bible and the Qur’an Today
Interreligious Relations in Academia and Civil Society
Public lecture by Rev. Dr Karen Georgia Thompson
On 13 November 2024, Church President Dr Karen Georgia Thompson will be a guest at the Faculty of Protestant Theology at the University of Münster. She is the first woman and the first Black woman to hold this leadership position in the United Church of Christ (UCC) in the United States of America. Prior to this, she served for eight years as head of the church’s Department of Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations. At an international level, she was a member of various committees of the World Council of Churches, including the Commission on Theological Education.
“Public Theology in Intercultural and Ecumenical Perspectives” is the topic of Dr Kenneth Mtata’s public lecture. Kenneth Mtata served as General Secretary of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches during politically challenging times and has engaged extensively with the question of the role of the Church and theology in the public sphere. Since 2022, he has been Programme Director for Public Witness and Diakonia at the World Council of Churches in Geneva. We are delighted to have secured the services of such a highly committed and knowledgeable speaker from the international ecumenical movement for a lecture in Münster. We warmly invite you to attend this event!
From 2009 to 2023, Perry Schmidt-Leukel held the Chair of Religious Studies and Intercultural Theology at the Faculty of Protestant Theology, University of Münster. As part of the ceremony marking his 70th birthday, Perry Schmidt-Leukel will be honoured as an innovative and prolific researcher and academic teacher.
Laudation: Alan Race (World Congress of Faiths, London);
Keynote address: Prof. Dr Thomas Cattoi (Professor of Christian Theology and Interreligious Relations, Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, Rome)
Speakers: Alan Race (World Congress of Faiths, London) and Prof. Dr Thomas Cattoi (Professor of Christian Theology and Interreligious Relations, Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, Rome)
The third Campus Earth Day – the University of Münster’s annual sustainability day – took place on 8 October 2024.
To mark this day of action, the Department of Religious Studies and Intercultural Theology organised a workshop entitled „Wozu nachhaltig Leben? – Impulse aus Christentum und Buddhismus“ , which was led by Prof. Dr Simone Sinn, Jun.-Prof. Dr Markus Rüsch and Lara Axtmann.
Prof. Dr. Simone Sinn bei der Globethics Doctoral School in Yogyakarta, Indonesien
From 24 September to 5 October 2024, Globethics, in partnership with Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, organised its first Doctoral School for PhD candidates from around the world. The 12-day-long research-oriented programme focused on the topic Ethics of Inclusive Peace and Responsible Governance. Prof. Dr. Simone Sinn was invited to join the scientific committee, serve as mentor. She gave a presentation on "Interactive Pluralism and Mutual Toleration. Reflections on key terms in dealing with diversity"
