Human Culture and Research to be Explored

FAIRFIELD, Conn.— Sacred Heart University recently hosted Catholic university leaders from around the world for a four-day conference Oct. 20-23.

The conference, titled "The Center for Coordination of Research (CCR) Memories for the Future," will draw together scholars and delegates from more than two dozen nations and five continents to mark the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of the Center within the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU).

Researchers and collaborators from around the globe will discuss research and culture, perspectives for a "New Humanism" and developmental challenges related to poverty, drug abuse, deprived adolescence and other topics. The languages of the conference will be English, French and Spanish with simultaneous translation. 

“There are those who hold that scholarly research should maintain a separation from the life and perspective of faith. The understanding of the Catholic intellectual tradition offers a contrary perspective,” stated Anthony J. Cernera, Ph.D., Sacred Heart University president and vice president of IFCU for Research.

According to Dr. Cernera, the source of human understanding about human culture should be guided by research, which in turn, must be informed by culture to be genuinely human research.

Questions that will be explored at the conference include:

• What should be the focus of research emanating from the Center for Research?
• What are the focus and trends of the current age that inform that focus of research?
• What is the effect of rapid globalization on research?
• What is the effect of cultural pluralism on research?
• What is the effect of observed poverty, violence or abuse on research?
• What do the current political realities suggest regarding research?
• How do Catholic universities reflect their missions in their research?

Based in France, IFCU was created in 1949 to address specific issues of common concern and has consultative status with the United Nations and the Commission on Human Rights in Geneva. It comprises about 200 universities and institutions of higher education throughout the world.

The CCR coordinates research and cooperative projects within the IFCU community primarily working in the fields of social research and intervention, historical and prospective research and training and development for universities in developing nations.

Each participating university strives to teach, research and serve in ways that honor their academic, cultural and spiritual commitments.

Click here to see photos from the event

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