Compassion: Thoughtful, Engaged, and Generous
A multi-faith, multidisciplinary conference for academics and activists
May 27 – 29, 2025
Vancouver School of Theology
Online & In-Person
Compassion can bridge social divisions, uplift people in distress, inspire collective action, and create resilient communities. It is the ability to recognize, empathize with, and respond to others. For many spiritual communities, compassion is both a core practice and an essential idea. Spiritual traditions say compassion affirms the connectedness of all being, grounds an imperative to care, or is an essential divine trait.
What should the spirituality and practice of compassion look like in our time?
Conference Highlights
Studies in Compassion: New Research
New research into the spirituality, theology, and sociology of compassion.
Scholars propose a paper here by March 1.
Compassionate Spiritual Community
Canadian mayors and religious leaders share models for building compassionate communities.
Ubuntu Workshop and Film Screening
Explore this African philosophy and practice of interconnectedness.
Spiritual Practices for Compassionate Capacity
Explore practices from three faith traditions with The Interfaith Amigos.
Compassionate Las Vegas
How U.S. interfaith activists built their city’s caring network of affordable housing, meal delivery, and medical services.
The Charter for Compassion joins the Vancouver School of Theology as a co-sponsor of the conference.
A Zoom link will be provided for online participants.
- $190 general/$90 students.
- Opens March 15.
- Financial aid available. Contact LDKaplan@vst.edu for details.
Questions?
Contact Conference Director Rabbi Dr. Laura Duhan-Kaplan LDKaplan@vst.edu or Conference Administrator Dr. Nicola Hayward, nhayward@vst.edu.
Accommodations
VST does not have on-campus housing. However, there are a myriad of options available for conference-attendees looking for short-term accommodations either on or off campus. Here are just a few of the resources available:
- Carey Hall – 2 blocks away from VST
- Triumf House – On UBC campus
- UBC Conferences Accommodations – A variety of options and prices
- UBC Suites – Various locations on campus
- UBC Commuter Student Hostel – Designed for weekday commuters
- UV Rent Line – UBC’s off-campus housing
- Airbnb