The ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the long-festering climate change crisis have together brutally exposed deficiencies in our existing developmental paradigm and forcing us to confront new uncertainties and insecurities in our everyday lives like never before. Our collective security and shared well-being of humanity are facing threats on many fronts. We are facing challenges of saving lives and livelihood today while having to safeguard the pillars of security for tomorrow.
While people are seeing the devastating consequences of under-prepared health systems, at many places they are also having to simultaneously confront urban floods, cyclonic storms, heatwaves, and other extreme climate events with increasing regularity. There is no denying the fact, that almost all health shocks and climate shocks hit the poorest and most vulnerable sections of society the hardest. Pandemic and climate crises act as poverty multipliers. At least half the world’s population does not enjoy full coverage for the most basic health services. When disasters hit – global inequality is sustained and reinforced and paid for with the lives of the poor and marginalized.
The risks that we are facing are diverse in nature and character. The level of trust in public institutions is eroding in regions where people feel that authorities had not addressed the pandemic effectively or been transparent about its impact. As existing grievances and vulnerabilities become more entrenched, the potential for violence only grows. also highlighting an alarming spike in gender-based and domestic abuse. In several regions across the world fragile peace has come under threat with the rise of terrorist and violent extremist groups. On the other hand, several regions are also witnessing the rise of authoritarianism, limiting space for civic engagement and free expression.
There is a pressing need to go beyond the present business as usual development paradigm and take a more ethical value-based, compassionate, and sustainable approach for the betterment of our collective future. During this crisis of COVID compassion is more relevant – compassion as ‘BEING WITH’ in times of struggles. The humanity is facing one of the biggest challenges and to be with people in need is the noblest and humane attitude that one can think of. Compassion and empathy can help develop our world more beautiful in this era or New Normal.
In order to stimulate the minds of the young students in this regard, the Centre for Humanities and Compassion at XIM University is organising a series of webinars on the topic – Compassion in Crisis Times. We would like to hear from leading thought leaders, academics, and activists on this issue. It is expected that each session would be between 60-to 90 minutes in duration, having one distinguished person as keynote speaker (30 to 45 minutes), and two or three panelists (5 to 10 minutes) to carry forward the discussion and Question-Answer time of (15 to 20 minutes) to engage the audience.
Webinar on Compassion in Crisis Times Programme Structure
Date: September – 22 September 2021
Time: 90 mins. 6-30 to 8-00 PM
Note: Students/ Staff/ Faculty from XIM University are permitted to participate. So, kindly log in using your university email ID only.
Welcome to the talk and theme introduction: Prof. Dr. T. Chatterji, Coordinator CHCS, XIM University
Welcome and Opening Remarks: Dr. Fr. Antony R. Uvari, S.J., Vice-Chancellor, XIM University
Introduction of the Keynote Speaker – Fr. E. A. Augustine S.J, Registrar XIM University
Keynote address – Justice Kurian Joseph (Retd. Justice Supreme Court of India and Former Chief Justice HP High Court)
Reflections on the keynote – Discussant 1 – Fr. Dr. Binoy SJ, Director LIPI Kochi
Reflections on the keynote – Discussant 2 – Fr. Dr. Somy Mathew SJ, XLRI Jamshedpur
Q & A – Moderator / Keynote speaker / Discussant 1 & 2
Vote of Thanks – Fr. E.A. Augustine SJ