International Symposium on Spiritual Ecology Slated for June — Exploring New Connections Between Humanity and the Earth
"As global ecological degradation accelerates and the climate crisis is imminent, can humanity reconnect with the Earth by starting from the heart? The University for Life and Peace (ULP), in collaboration for the first time with the University of Passau in Germany, will host the international symposium "Spiritual Ecology: New Ways Toward an All-Encompassing Transformation" from June 4 to 5 at the Studio for Art Education and Visual Literacy. The symposium will explore how spirituality can serve as a vital inner force driving ecological transformation while offering fresh perspectives on the human–nature relationship through rich, interdisciplinary dialogue."
This symposium is not only a milestone in the collaboration between the two institutions, but also a collective turning point in how humanity thinks and acts in the face of crisis. Venerable Xian Yue, Steering Director of the University for Life and Peace, expressed hope that this international dialogue will serve as a catalyst, prompting reflection on the widespread dilemma of “knowing but not acting,” and encouraging breakthroughs in both spiritual awareness and cognitive understanding to overcome barriers to meaningful action.
Renowned Scholars Join Forces to Rethink the Spiritual Path Ahead for Humanity
Several internationally renowned scholars have been invited to deliver keynote addresses at the symposium, including Professor Michael von Brück, a scholar of religious philosophy at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, and Professor Anastasia Zabaniotou, a faculty member at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and a leading advocate for science and social innovation. Their talks will examine the tensions between faith and action in the face of ecological crisis, drawing from the perspectives of religious thought and sustainable practice. In addition, five professors from the University of Passau will present on spiritual ecology through the lens of their respective academic disciplines.
"Renowned neuroscientist Professor Ernst Pöppel will offer an inspiring analysis during the evening forum on June 4, addressing a fundamental question: Why do we often choose inaction, even when we know action is necessary? Drawing on research into the brain’s decision-making processes and behavioral motivation, he will explore the concept of "psychological barriers to action." On June 5, sustainability education scholar Professor Alexander Benz will lead a discussion—grounded in the framework of spiritual ecology—on new ways towards an All-Encompassing Transformation, joined by fellow scholars and symposium participants."
A Global Forum for Dialogue Bridging the Virtual and the Physical
The symposium will be held in a hybrid format, combining in-person and online participation, and is open to scholars, educators, youth, and individuals worldwide who are concerned with ecological issues. The University of Passau campus, itself a living laboratory for sustainability—from architectural design to campus governance—embodies the integration of environmental education and concrete action. As such, it offers a venue rich in both symbolic meaning and practical relevance for the symposium.
In a world marked by fragmented information and increasingly diverse—even divided—value systems, the symposium poses a vital question: “Can the heart still respond to the world?”
Amid interdisciplinary exchange, cultural dialogue, and spiritual reflection, the International Symposium on Spiritual Ecology seeks to chart a spiritual roadmap toward a future of symbiosis—guiding humanity from crisis to connection and awakening the power to act from the depths of silence.
This symposium is not only a milestone in the collaboration between the two institutions, but also a collective turning point in how humanity thinks and acts in the face of crisis. Venerable Xian Yue, Steering Director of the University for Life and Peace, expressed hope that this international dialogue will serve as a catalyst, prompting reflection on the widespread dilemma of “knowing but not acting,” and encouraging breakthroughs in both spiritual awareness and cognitive understanding to overcome barriers to meaningful action.
Renowned Scholars Join Forces to Rethink the Spiritual Path Ahead for Humanity
Several internationally renowned scholars have been invited to deliver keynote addresses at the symposium, including Professor Michael von Brück, a scholar of religious philosophy at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, and Professor Anastasia Zabaniotou, a faculty member at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and a leading advocate for science and social innovation. Their talks will examine the tensions between faith and action in the face of ecological crisis, drawing from the perspectives of religious thought and sustainable practice. In addition, five professors from the University of Passau will present on spiritual ecology through the lens of their respective academic disciplines.
"Renowned neuroscientist Professor Ernst Pöppel will offer an inspiring analysis during the evening forum on June 4, addressing a fundamental question: Why do we often choose inaction, even when we know action is necessary? Drawing on research into the brain’s decision-making processes and behavioral motivation, he will explore the concept of "psychological barriers to action." On June 5, sustainability education scholar Professor Alexander Benz will lead a discussion—grounded in the framework of spiritual ecology—on new ways towards an All-Encompassing Transformation, joined by fellow scholars and symposium participants."
A Global Forum for Dialogue Bridging the Virtual and the Physical
The symposium will be held in a hybrid format, combining in-person and online participation, and is open to scholars, educators, youth, and individuals worldwide who are concerned with ecological issues. The University of Passau campus, itself a living laboratory for sustainability—from architectural design to campus governance—embodies the integration of environmental education and concrete action. As such, it offers a venue rich in both symbolic meaning and practical relevance for the symposium.
In a world marked by fragmented information and increasingly diverse—even divided—value systems, the symposium poses a vital question: “Can the heart still respond to the world?”
Amid interdisciplinary exchange, cultural dialogue, and spiritual reflection, the International Symposium on Spiritual Ecology seeks to chart a spiritual roadmap toward a future of symbiosis—guiding humanity from crisis to connection and awakening the power to act from the depths of silence.