'The power of hope' is VU Amsterdam's academic theme for 2024/2025. The theme is inspired by the interdisciplinary hope-driven research programme led by economist and theologian Jan Jorrit Hasselaar. In the research programme, partly financed by the National Growth Fund, there is intensive collaboration with the Dutch infrastructure sector on hope as a way to deal with real uncertainty in the transition to a future-proof living environment.
Investing in hope
In a time of growing uncertainty, people increasingly appear to be looking for hope that does not disappoint. This is also evident from the fact that Pope Francis has given the Jubilee Year 2025 the theme 'Pilgrims of Hope'. The Jubilee has been held in the Roman Catholic community for centuries once every 25 years, as a year of reflection, and starting over. Even now that Pope Francis has died, the Jubilee Year will continue.
During the international hope symposium VU Amsterdam joins forces with University of the Free State (South Africa), the Vatican and various international academic and social partners. The official opening will be provided by VU rector Jeroen Geurts, Archbishop Salvatore Fisichella (ultimately responsible for the Jubilee Year) and Dutch ambassador to the Vatican, Annemieke Ruigrok. The opening lecture will be given by Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, Desmond Tutu's successor.
Hope train
Participants in the symposium travel by 'hope train' from Utrecht to Rome as a form of stillness and contemplation (pilgrimage). See this wonderful video.
For more information, please contact Jan Jorrit Hasselaar.
Public lecture Hope in Turbulent Times, by Willie Jennings
Interested in the subject, but prefer something closer to home? Then come to the free public lecture Hope in Turbulent Times by Yale theologian Willie James Jennings on June 3. Inspired by the life and learnings of Martin Luther King Jr., for whom hope was never a given. With an aftertalk and great music from the G-roots Black gospel band.