The theme of the Common Dreams Conference 2019 (A conference dedicated to progressive religious thought and action) is Sacred Earth: Original Blessing; Our Common Home and will take place at Newington College in Stanmore, Sydney, NSW and Pitt St Uniting Church, Sydney, NSW from 111-14 July 2019.
Sacred Earth:
Original Blessing;
Our Common Home
The fifth Common Dreams International Conference – “Sacred Earth: Original Blessing; Our Common Home” – will be held in Sydney 11 – 14 July, 2019.
The distinguished international speaker is Matthew Fox and the theme of the conference is based on his twelve principles of Creation Spirituality and the content of the keynote addresses and the electives will relate to one or more of these principles (see the Common Dreams website for full details on Matthew Fox & his concept of Creation Spirituality – http://www.commondreams.org.au/).
In addition to Matthew Fox, who will deliver two major public addresses and an interactive segment. Dr Anne Pattel-Gray will give a major public address on the Saturday evening of the conference. Anne is a recognised Aboriginal leader within Australia and internationally. She has dedicated her life to the struggle of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and she is a strong campaigner and lobbyist and deeply committed to seeking justice, equity and equal representation for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people.
Keynote addresses will be given by Prof Elaine Wainwright, Fr Rod Bower, Ro Allen, and Prof Norman Habel. Rev Dr Greg Jenks will open the conference.
There will be ten electives offered – workshops, presentations – on subjects relevant to the conference theme. Each elective will be offered twice.
The conference will place significant emphasis on how spirituality can be expressed through the arts and will feature many inspiring poets, musicians, performers, and artists coordinated by the conference Artist-In-Residence, Alexandra Sangster.
The venue is Newington College, a private boys’ school with excellent facilities for the conference, in Stanmore in Sydney’s inner West. The venue is within five minutes’ walk of Stanmore railway station which is on the Granville Line four stops from Sydney Central Station & the City Circle. It is also conveniently close to Sydney airport. The College will make available about 40 rooms in the school’s boarding house which is a modern facility with excellent rooms which will be offered at very reasonable rates. Stanmore House, a Salvation Army conference centre, is also nearby & provides accommodation at quite a low cost. Other accommodation options are available within easy reach of the conference.
COMMON DREAMS is an alliance of Australian and New Zealand kindred organisations which promote engagement with progressive Christian thought and practice, and with progressive developments in other religious and spiritual traditions.
It does this through the major “Common Dreams” conferences (Sydney 2007, Melbourne 2010, Canberra 2013, Brisbane 2016), and sponsorship of annual “Common Dreams on the Road” tours by international scholars to cities and communities across Australia and New Zealand.
FAQ AND CONDITIONS
- Student-full-time or unwaged part-time; ID check at event
- Early Bird (discount on Regular and Concession rates on & before 14 June, 2019)
- Concession (pensioners and those on unemployment or health benefits)
- Short Program (Friday night to Sunday)
- Cancellations received before 14 June, 2019 will be refunded in full. Thereafter a refund of 50% applies.
- Accommodation not included
- Packed lunch provided on Friday and Saturday only
- Dinner voucher provided Saturday evening only
- Morning and afternoon refreshments will be provided
- Registrations on-line close on 9 July, 2019.
