Virtual: ‘The Global Challenge of Religious Freedom’

Join Carolina Public Humanities and the General Alumni Association for a two day lecture series on March 5 and March 6. A variety of speakers will examine religious freedom within a global context, teasing out some of the challenges that complicate the quest for this ideal.

Although religious freedom is widely touted as a fundamental human right, debates churn on about what it ought to look like, how it should be achieved, and what its limitations should be. How does the policing of religion intersect with culture, race, and nationalism? What does it mean for a state to be truly secular, and is this a necessary prerequisite for religious freedom? What impact do religious protections have on the non-religious? Join our speakers as they explore case studies in religious freedom on a global stage.

On Friday, March 5, Joanna Sierks Smith, associate director for state outreach and strategic partnerships at Carolina Public Humanities, will speak on freedom of, for, and from religion in America. Following this discussion, Arianne Ekinci, lecturer in history at UNC-Chapel Hill, will examine China as a defender of faith, examining power, rhetoric, Islam, and Uyghur “rights” in the country. 

On Saturday, March 6, Maximilian P. Owre, teaching assistant professor of history and executive director of the Carolina Public Humanities, will discuss the secular state and its discontents in France. To conclude this series, all of the speakers will participate in a panel to discuss what role religion should play in modern multicultural communities.

This webinar is a virtual event. Tuition is $50, which includes “admission” to the webinar in real-time (with live Q&A) as well as access to the recorded talks to watch at your leisure for up to 2 weeks after posting. Register here or call us at 919.962.1544.