God and the Natural Science

On 23 June 2010 Steven Ames presented the Yarra Institute for Religion and Social Policy with a constructive conversation on the topic of God and the Natural Science with special comments on the Atheist Convention.

Please click HERE to listen to the lecture.

 

A New Hope for Africa

April 19 2010 Social Policy Connections, in association with Act for Peace, welcomed Revd. Dr. Andre Karamaga to the Study Centre of Yarra Theological Union on April 19 2010.

Dr Andre Karamaga is a Rwandan Presbyterian minister. He is currently General Secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches, which represents 173 churches and Christian organisations from 40 African countries, with 140 million adherents.
 
This wss Dr Karamaga’s first visit to Australia, where he has been presenting talks on the issues facing Africa, and the response of All Africa Conference of Churches. His talks include the issues of climate change and aid effectiveness, as well as the church’s role in peacekeeping on a continent where many countries are still in the grip of civil war.

Please click HERE listen to Dr. Karamaga's lecture delivered to Social Policy Connections.

Reflections on Pope Benedict’s encyclical Caritas in Veritate

In November, jointly with SPC, the Yarra Institute, arranged a public forum on Pope Benedict’s encyclical, Caritas in Veritate, with Anglican Archbishop Dr Philip Freier; Dr Rufus Black, Master of Ormond College; and Ms Julie Edwards, CEO of Jesuit Social Services. The ABC taped proceedings for its ‘Encounter’ program aired on in 28 March 2010.

Click HERE for the broadcast on the ABC Encounter program on Radio National on 28 March 2010.
Click HERE for the full talks.

First Annual General Meeting

Report by Rev Dr Stephen Ames (chair of the Board of Directors).

We are delighted to report that the siting at YTU has proved excellent, with YTU offering us an office next to that of Social Policy Connections, as well as access to their facilities. The new study centre offers an excellent venue for forums and lectures, as well as for our regular Board meetings. We are most grateful for the support YTU has given us, along with the administration of Melbourne College of Divinity. We are particularly pleased to have attracted such a strong Board of Directors. Bruce Duncan has assumed the role of Director of the Institute.

Launch Review

Former Deputy Prime Minister, Professor Brian Howe AM, on 23 April 2009 launched the ecumenical Yarra Institute to focus on the role of religious beliefs and values in the shaping of public policy in Australia. The work of the Institute will centre on research and postgraduate teaching.