UNESCO Chair in Inter-Religious Understanding and Relations in New Zealand and the Pacific (866), established in 2010 at the Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand)

Fields / Disciplines

Religious studies, theology, Pacific studies, Samoan studies, anthropology, public policy and history.

Objectives

• To engage with governments on the impact of religious and cultural change and the need to explore new models of social cohesion and new public policies aiming at fostering peace and security in the region;
• To foster links between scholars in the region and enhance the existing network on interreligious dialogue for intercultural understanding in order to pool expertise and support research on religions in and the Pacific and hence, develop the North-South and North-South-South cooperation;
• To develop and maintain a regional database of religious groups and communities, including research resources and turn it into a platform for the development of new research about inter-religious issues.

Host Institution

Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand)

UNESCO Sector / Office responsible for the Chair/Network

Culture, UNESCO Apia Office

Contact

Prof. Paul Morris, UNESCO Chairholder

Victoria University of Wellington
PO Box 600

Hunter Building 214

Wellington-6140

New Zealand

Phone: +64-4- 463 5037