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The dawn of democracy in South Africa has challenged Christians
in various ways. One of these challenges concerns the question
about the participation of Christians in the public domain of
society. Christians struggle to state their views on public affairs
appropriately and to participate effectively in the pluralistic
public sphere. This unclarity on the place, role and style of
Christians in the pluralistic democratic South African society
consequently inhibits their influence in the public sphere. From
the micro (amongst others marriage, family, neighbourhood, schools,
local congregations) to the macro (amongst others the work place,
business, trade unions, local, provincial and national political
processes, various institutions of civil society like the media,
judicial and educational institutions, sports and cultural bodies,
denominational and ecumenical church and interreligious bodies)
levels of their lives, Christians are challenged to give account
of the hope that lives within them (1 Peter 3:15).
The moral degeneration in society with its complex etiology (the
transition from apartheid to democracy, the effects of the transition
from premodernism to modernism and even to postmodernism, moral
disorientation, the effects of globalisation, especially of the
global market economy, poverty and unemployment) and manifold
manifestations (violence in various forms, vandalism, crime, corruption,
a culture of dishonesty, the HIV/aids pandemic, uncertainty on
the right moral choices and action, hopelessness and social apathy)
makes an urgent appeal to Christians to fulfill their public responsibility.
Assisting Christians in fulfilling their public responsibility
in society serves as motivation for establishing a centre for
public theology.
Naming the centre after dr. Beyers Naudé is motivated
by his example of responsible citizenship and involvement in society
on the basis of Christian theological convictions, his courageous
quest for justice and life of dignity for all members of society,
his humbleness and docility which foster a culture of dialogue
and deliberation and his commitment to the cause of the poor,
the destitute, the wronged and the marginalised.
2. PURPOSE AND AIMS
The Beyers Naudé Centre for Public Theology (hereafter
referred to as the BNC), by means of (a) thorough research, (b)
education and training as well as (c) appropriate service initiatives,
strives to assist Christians (i.e. individual Christians in their
various personal and public roles, church leaders, congregations,
denominations, ecumenical bodies, interreligious organisations
etc.) in identifying, describing and fulfilling their responsibility
in the various public spheres of the democratic South African
society, namely in politics, economics, civil society and public
opinion.
By means of the abovementioned threefold task of research, education
and service in the areas of politics, economics, civil society
and public opinion, the BNS intends:
2.1 strengthening the public voice of Christians through the
development of creative ways of articulating religious, specifically
Christian, moral positions in the pluralistic public spheres;
2.2 enabling Christians to effectively participate with partners
from various religious and nonreligious traditions in pluralistic
public moral discourses;
2.3 providing space where public themes can specifically be discussed
from Christian perspectives;
2.4 enhancing national and international moral deliberation on
themes of public importance amongst Christian scholars and opinionmakers
from various confessional, socio-economic and ethnic affiliations;
2.5 deepening the quality of existing public discourses;
2.6 initiating discourses on important themes which are not addressed;
2.7 providing room for marginalized discourses.
3. ETHOS AND STYLE
The BNC adheres to the following values and principles:
3.1 scientific reflection;
3.2 interdisciplinary cooperation;
3.3 ecumenicity;
3.4 interfaith dialogue and cooperation;
3.5 honest and open dialogue;
3.6 teachability (docility);
3.7 tolerance;
3.8 hospitality;
3.9 room for and prominence of voices from the margin;
3.10 partnerships;
3.11 contextuality.
4. ENVIRONMENT
With regard to her emphasis on thorough research, publications
and education programmes on the participation of Christians in
the public sphere, which involves cooperation with various disciplines
at institutions of higher education and with people in various
sectors of society (politics, economics, civil society, public
opinion), specifically also marginalised people, the BNC makes
a unique contribution. The BNC, however seeks cooperation with
other institutions in South Africa that focus on the public sphere,
e.g. The Ecumenical Foundation for Southern Africa (EFSA), The
South African Council of Churches (SACC), The Ecumenical Service
for Socio-economic Transformation (ESSET), The South African Catholic
Bishops Conference (SACBC), the Public Policy Liaison Services
of the SACC and various churches at national parliament, Industrial
Ministry in South Africa (IMSA) as well as the departments for
public witness and social affairs of various churches.
The BNC also establishes appropriate continental and international
partnerships.
5. LEGAL PERSON
In terms of the Constitution of the BNC the University of Stellenbosch
serves as legal person of the BNC.
6. OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT
OF FUNDS
6.1 Finances
The Chief Director: Finance and Services of the University of
Stellenbosch administrates, in consultation with the Director,
the funds of the BNC.
Funds are raised, in compliance with the regulations of the University,
by means of donations, sponsors, bequeathals, compensation for
products, specific projects, courses and other services.
6.2 Advisory Boards
Besides the Governing Committee and the Executive of the Governing
Committee which are described in the Constitution, the following
bodies are established for the sake of the optimal functioning
of the BNC: The Advisory Board for the Director and the Advisory
Boards for Programmes.
6.2.1 Advisory Board for Director
The Advisory Board for the Director advises the Director of the
BNC on:
6.2.1.1 important developments in the public sphere;
6.2.1.2 priorities for the BNC;
6.2.1.3 various appropriate matters;
6.2.1.4 evaluation of the aims and programmes of the BNC.
6.2.2 Advisory Boards for Programmes
Each programme of the BNC is advised by an Advisory Board on:
6.2.2.1 important developments in the specific field;
6.2.2.2 priorities for the specific programme;
6.2.2.3 various appropriate matters;
6.2.2.4 evaluation of aims and activities of the programme.
7. FOCUS AREAS
The BNC focuses on the four areas into which modern social theorists
divide the modern public, namely the political and economic spheres
as well as the spheres of civil society and public opinion.
7.1 Public Theology and Politics
This area focuses on themes relating to the relationship between
theology and amongst others the state, government, political power
and the control and regulating of public life.
7.2 Public Theology and Economics
This area focuses on themes relating to the relationship between
theology and amongst others the so-called autonomous market-economy,
globalisation, ecology, science and technology.
7.3 Public Theology and Civil Society
This area focuses on themes relating to the relationship between
theology and amongst others the institutions, organizations, associations
and movements of civil society which, independently from the state
and economy, strive to enhance the quality of life, satisfy the
needs and foster the interests of people, change the nature of
society and build the common good, that is a life of quality for
all.
7.4 Public Theology and Public Opinion
This area focuses on themes relating to the relationship between
theology and the pluralistic public discourse on amongst others
the nature of society, common foundational values for society,
common challenges and common priorities for society. The ensuing
public opinion paves the way for jointly striving towards the
common good.
8. PROGRAMMES
Various themes are attended to in the program of the BNC. They
are constantly revised in the light of related developments. The
research, education and service of the BNC with regard to these
themes take place within the framework of the four aforementioned
focus areas. Currently the BNC concerns itself with the following
themes.
8.1 Anthropology and Identity
This programme focuses on the very important themes of anthropology,
identity, culture, gender and faith in the 21st century. Problems
in public life cannot be adequately understood and addressed without
attending to these themes. Research on these themes has become
more urgent in the light of dramatic historical developments,
amongst others transition from premodernity to modernity and also
to postmodernity (especially in new democracies like South Africa),
the process of globalisation, the changing international scene
after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the 11 September 2002 attack
on the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington
DC, the formation of the African Union in 2002, the growth of
multi-religious and highly cosmopolitan communities and the position
of women in society, especially in societies on the African continent.
8.2 Human Rights and Responsibility
The dawning of a democracy based on a Constitution with a Bill
of Rights has not brought about a morally good society in South
Africa. This programme focuses on the challenge of building a
human rights culture which will pave the way for a society that
adheres to the noble principles entrenched in the Bill of Rights.
Issues like the violation of rights on the one hand and the constructive
creation of a culture of human rights in which citizens take up
their moral responsibility on the other hand, as well as the enhancement
of the optimal utilization of democratic processes by all citizens
will be addressed.
8.3 Economy and Justice
This programme will focus on issues of economic justice in relation
to the context of globalisation. Themes to be addressed are amongst
others an analysis of the effects of globalisation on South Africa
and other so-called developing countries, poverty and its consequences,
ecojustice as well as HIV/aids. From the perspective of the BNC
the matter of vocation within the world of work and economy receives
a central focus.
8.4 Faith and Science
The focus in this programme is on the faith and science debate
that is also gaining new momentum in the South African context.
In the modernizing and secularizing South African society that
is simultaneously part of the African continent with its high
level of religiosity this theme needs thorough investigation.
9. PROJECTS
Within the framework of the programmes of the BNC the following
projects will be undertaken:
9.1 BNC Community Leadership Series
This project provides room for marginalised voices to be heard.
Findings and results of these speeches and discussions will be
disseminated by means of publications.
9.2 BNC Public Lecture Series
A Beyers Naudé Public Lecture Series by either national
or international speakers will be staged. These lectures will
also be published.
9.3 BNC Distinguished Dialogue Series
This project focuses on the establishment of discussion forums
for a diversified group (in terms of viewpoint, gender, ethnicity,
religion and vocation) of experts in a specific field. Although
the focus is primarily on dialogue, findings of these dialogues
might be made available to appropriate role players.
9.4 BNC Distinguished Speakers Series
A conference with distinguished national and international speakers
are to be held regularly and preferably in cooperation with appropriate
partners.
9.5 BNC Book Projects
This project assembles approximately 10 to 12 contributors to
a book. Contributors write various chapters of the book. Regular
meetings are held where contributions are tabled and critically
discussed. Two persons serve as editors of a book. The BNC invites
an expert in the specific field as second editor.
9.6 BNC Research Projects
This project focuses on research on a specific theme that the
BNC conducts. This might be done in partnership with and even
on request of various role players. The results of this research
will be disseminated in appropriate ways.
9.7 Research Seminars
In order to develop research skills, especially amongst people
from disadvantaged communities, research seminars that focus on
both methodology and themes pertaining to the programmes of the
BNC, are held on a regular basis. The Center assembles delegates
from the broad spectrum of society and in particular people from
sectors of society whose voices are not usually heard in such
encounters.
10. LOCATION
The BNC is currently situated in the Faculty of Theology, but
will eventually also be based in the Institute for Advanced Research
at the University of Stellenbosch (SIGNA). The buildings of SIGNA
are currently under construction.
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6.1 Finances
