| |
Aim: The aim of the biennial conference is to explore the links between spirituality, religion, health and wellbeing. The program will focus on findings of quantitative and qualitative research.
Definition of Terminology: To facilitate a meaningful dialogue throughout the proceedings, the planning committee has adopted the following meaning of terms;
Spirituality – the human quest for ultimate meaning, purpose, relationship, hope and transcendence;
Sacred – concepts of God, the Divine, the Transcendent or Ultimate Reality;
Religion – the convictions and characteristic practices of a community of faith;
Health - a balance of physical, emotional, social, spiritual and intellectual wellbeing.
In the context of spirituality and health research, there is a general consensus that religion and spirituality represent related rather than independent constructs. The sacred is the common denominator by which the themes of the conference are distinguished from other discussions and phenomena. The presentations and proceedings of the conference should seek to avoid a polarisation of religion and spirituality into institutional and individual domains, or implications that spirituality is good and religion is bad. Such views do not reflect current trends in research and do not take into account the fact that most people experience spirituality within an organised religious context and that all forms of spiritual experience, traditional or non traditional, are fostered in a social milieu.
Who Should Attend: Health care professionals, allied health practitioners, chaplains and clergy, ethicists, academics, administrators and policy makers, researchers and students.
| |
