On November 6th SWF was delighted to organise and facilitate a one-day seminar and roundtable discussion on ‘Challenging the Extractive Economy’, a conversation between economics and theology, seeking ways to serve the flourishing of all. The event was supported by USPG and we were also pleased to host a display by Operation Noah.
We were delighted to joined virtually by Revd Dr Hector LaPorta, a theologian and anthropologist from Peru, and by Dr Anupama Ranuwana, political economist and theologian. In the room we had Prof Steven van den Heuvel of the Institute of Leadership and Social Ethics at ETF Leuven, and Prof Lans Bovenberg, economist at Tilburg University, and former winner of the Spinoza prize. We were pleased too that some of the Roehampton DTh theology students were able to join us for part of the afternoon as well as many visitors.
The seminar was capably chaired by Hannah Fremont-Brown, who works in the area of poverty and justice for the Methodist Church.
The wide-ranging and heart-felt discussion shared both problems and ways forward, developing our understanding of the challenges facing those in precarious situations throughout the world as well as in the United Kingdom. It provided a rare and well-curated opportunity for interdisciplinary learning and sharing of stories and perspectives, and we look forward to continuing the conversation.
