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Aims

Accordingly, InSpiRe aims to:

• Promote reconciliation within individuals

Our aim is to pursue the goal of developing the whole individual by taking seriously what it means for human beings to be 'spiritual'. Our resources will be available to spiritual seekers from all traditions and in dialogue with other faith, psychological and philosophical traditions, especially Islam and Judaism.

• Promote reconciliation between individuals and communities in British society and globally

By exploring the sources of conflict we will endeavour to understand its causes, and means whereby peaceful resolution can occur. In pursuing this aim we want to explicitly acknowledge the role of faith in transforming and promoting reconciliation between people, especially between the three Abrahamic faiths.

• Promote environmental reconciliation

In the face of the disastrous effects that humanity is having on the earth we feel that the imperative for people of faith to seek reconciliation between humanity and the earth is now more urgent than ever.

Activities

The Institute will promote these aims through the following means:

Research: It will sponsor regular international conferences on themes connected to spirituality and reconciliation. It will promote the highest levels of excellence in research and scholarship in the areas of spirituality and reconciliation through recruiting research students and developing educational programmes in the area.

Resource: It will offer a resource to national and international networks seeking insight into the role of faith within conflict resolution. We have already forged links with St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace and the Centre of Religions for Reconciliation and Peace at Winchester University. Likewise the methodology of dialogue - its principles and practice - will be part of InSpiRe's provision.

Realisation: The Centre will host public lectures, colloquia and conferences that disseminate the fruits of academic and scholarly research to a wider public. It will promote dialogue between different traditions, as well as reflect on the practice and principles of dialogue. It will promote individual transformation and knowledge transfer through short courses and retreats held both at St Mary's and further afield, including visits to centres of spirituality and reconciliation throughout the world. Finally, it will be available as a resource to all faith communities, especially the Christian churches, wanting to understand the role of Christian spirituality at the service of reconciliation.