2020 Student Conference on Religion in the Public Sphere

We’re are pleased to share this information about an upcoming conference on Religion in the Public Sphere at Brigham Young University that may be of interest to our student members. The theme for the 2020 conference is focused on religion and ecology and includes keynote speaker Norman Wirza.

 

This annual student conference on religion in the public sphere (SCRIPS) brings together university students from across the country for a lively and exciting exchange of ideas at the scenic Aspen Grove retreat. Student delegates will select a roundtable that focuses on a specific aspect of the theme and is directed under the leadership of an expert in that field. In a series of roundtable discussions, delegates will have the opportunity to discuss pre-assigned readings, analyze their subtopic, and develop relevant policy recommendations. On the final day of the conference delegates will present their roundtable’s recommendations to the keynote speakers, roundtable chairs and their peers. The conference will be held at the Aspen Grove retreat, near the BYU campus.

The registration deadline is Friday, January 24, 2020. For more information and registration, follow this link.

Students can choose from 6 roundtables in which they will focus on a sub-theme and, under the tutelage of a first-rate scholar, develop a project or policy recommendation to be presented to the whole group on the final day of the conference.

Past participants say:

I feel like it’s rare to have a group this large work to complete an assignment that is in-depth… But the impactful part wasn’t just the group working together, it was that we were working towards something feasible. Something that COULD actually be implemented and change our world, not just a graded assignment or another factual presentation.

I was delighted by how authentic, interesting, and deep the conversations we shared were. In addition, it was very cool to be in an atmosphere where conversation of faith and beliefs was so commonplace, rather than taboo or too personal. I learned a lot from the other participants and roundtable chairs and know that those lessons and conversations will last with me for a long time.

This was the most effective, fun, and satisfying group project/presentation that I have ever been a part of. I really enjoyed the whole process of brainstorming together and each using our unique gifts to produce something we were excited about. Thank you for creating an experience that challenged and blessed me in this way.

If you have any questions, please contact us at .