2025 IRC website_updated

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

Register Now! propose a paper

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
Co-sponsor
Registration
Accommodations

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. 

Register Now!

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: