27th International Congress Renovabis

Review of the 27th International Congress Renovabis

on this site: Review in pictures
Summary of the speeches and discussions

Topic of the congress: „Freedom as I understand it ... Europe in the Realm between a New Awakening, Disillusionment and Threat“

The social and ecclesiastical developments in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe over the past three decades - that was the focus of this year's International Congress Renovabis. As Renovabis is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023, it made sense to focus on the topic of freedom and the hopes and expectations associated with it at the beginning of the 1990s. In doing so, an arc was drawn from the initial spirit of optimism through increasing disillusionment and scepticism towards Western models to the threat to freedom in Europe posed by authoritarian tendencies and the war against Ukraine. The congress took stock of what has been achieved so far. It also looked at the challenges and tasks facing society, politics and churches today and in the coming years, also in view of the changed geopolitical situation in Europe. In addition to presentations and panel discussions, there was a dialogue forum that gave all congress participants the opportunity to actively contribute their ideas, suggestions and questions.

Impressions from the congress

Among other things, the congress focussed on the challenges and tasks facing society, politics and churches today and in the coming years, also in view of the changed geopolitical situation in Europe.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — Among other things, the congress focussed on the challenges and tasks facing society, politics and churches today and in the coming years, also in view of the changed geopolitical situation in Europe.
Source: Renovabis

View of the auditorium: more than 200 participants took part in the International Congress at the Munich School of Philosophy.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — View of the auditorium: more than 200 participants took part in the International Congress at the Munich School of Philosophy.
Source: Renovabis

In addition to presentations and discussions in the plenary session (photo), a dialogue forum with seven individual discussion groups took place in the afternoon. This gave all congress guests the opportunity to actively contribute their ideas, suggestions and questions.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — In addition to presentations and discussions in the plenary session (photo), a dialogue forum with seven individual discussion groups took place in the afternoon. This gave all congress guests the opportunity to actively contribute their ideas, suggestions and questions.
Source: Renovabis

Renovabis' Chief Executive Officer Prof Dr Thomas Schwartz spoke about the great challenge of our time: How must freedom be rethought socially, politically and socially so that love can continue to shine through in freedom in the future?<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — Renovabis' Chief Executive Officer Prof Dr Thomas Schwartz spoke about the great challenge of our time: How must freedom be rethought socially, politically and socially so that love can continue to shine through in freedom in the future?
Source: Renovabis

Gudrun Sailer moderated the morning of the first day of the congress. She is an Austrian Vatican journalist, author and TV presenter.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — Gudrun Sailer moderated the morning of the first day of the congress. She is an Austrian Vatican journalist, author and TV presenter.
Source: Renovabis

Prof. Dr Andreas Heinemann-Grüder from the International Centre for Conflict Studies in Bonn gave the first keynote speech on „Social development in Central and Eastern Europe after the end of communism“.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — Prof. Dr Andreas Heinemann-Grüder from the International Centre for Conflict Studies in Bonn gave the first keynote speech on „Social development in Central and Eastern Europe after the end of communism“.
Source: Renovabis

Q&A session after the keynote speeches on Wednesday morning: here Dr Gerhard Albert, former Managing Director of Renovabis.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — Q&A session after the keynote speeches on Wednesday morning: here Dr Gerhard Albert, former Managing Director of Renovabis.
Source: Renovabis

Sister Prof Dr Helen Alford OP during her keynote speech on the subject „‚Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom‘ (2 Cr 3,17) – Church Developments in Central and Eastern Europe“.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — Sister Prof Dr Helen Alford OP during her keynote speech on the subject „‚Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom‘ (2 Cr 3,17) – Church Developments in Central and Eastern Europe“.
Source: Renovabis

Prof Dr Klara-Antonia Csiszar during her keynote speech on the topic „‚Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom‘ (2 Cr 3,17) – Church Developments in Central and Eastern Europe“.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — Prof Dr Klara-Antonia Csiszar during her keynote speech on the topic „‚Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom‘ (2 Cr 3,17) – Church Developments in Central and Eastern Europe“.
Source: Renovabis

In the afternoon of the first day of the congress, seven different working groups were organised on topics suggested by the guests.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — In the afternoon of the first day of the congress, seven different working groups were organised on topics suggested by the guests.
Source: Renovabis

Second day of the International Renovabis Congress. The topic of „Threatened freedom in Europe? Challenges for society, politics and churches“ was discussed by Knut Abraham MdB (right), Dr Yauheniya Danilovich (2nd from right), Bishop Dr Petar Palić (left) and Sofija Todorović (2nd from left), moderated by Dr Maria-Luise Schneider (centre).<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — Second day of the International Renovabis Congress. The topic of „Threatened freedom in Europe? Challenges for society, politics and churches“ was discussed by Knut Abraham MdB (right), Dr Yauheniya Danilovich (2nd from right), Bishop Dr Petar Palić (left) and Sofija Todorović (2nd from left), moderated by Dr Maria-Luise Schneider (centre).
Source: Renovabis

The panel discussion focussed in particular on the situation in the Balkans, Belarus and the war of aggression in Ukraine. In the second hour, the discussion was opened up to the plenary.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — The panel discussion focussed in particular on the situation in the Balkans, Belarus and the war of aggression in Ukraine. In the second hour, the discussion was opened up to the plenary.
Source: Renovabis

Dr Petar Palić is Bishop of the Diocese of Mostar-Duvno, Mostar/Bosnia and Herzegovina and Apostolic Administrator of Trebinje-Mrkan in Bosnia and Herzegovina.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — Dr Petar Palić is Bishop of the Diocese of Mostar-Duvno, Mostar/Bosnia and Herzegovina and Apostolic Administrator of Trebinje-Mrkan in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Source: Renovabis

Sofija Todorović holds a bachelor's degree from the Faculty of Law at the University of Belgrade and currently works as a project coordinator for the Belgrade BIRN Hub (Balkan Investigative Regional Reporting Network).<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — Sofija Todorović holds a bachelor's degree from the Faculty of Law at the University of Belgrade and currently works as a project coordinator for the Belgrade BIRN Hub (Balkan Investigative Regional Reporting Network).
Source: Renovabis

Knut Abraham is a member of the German Bundestag, spokesman for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid and a member of the Executive Committee of the Pan-European Union Germany.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — Knut Abraham is a member of the German Bundestag, spokesman for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid and a member of the Executive Committee of the Pan-European Union Germany.
Source: Renovabis

Dr Yauheniya Danilovich studied Orthodox theology in Minsk/Belarus and completed her doctorate in religious education at the Protestant Theological Faculty of the University of Tübingen. She teaches at the Protestant Theological Faculty of the Westphalian Wilhelms University of Münster.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — Dr Yauheniya Danilovich studied Orthodox theology in Minsk/Belarus and completed her doctorate in religious education at the Protestant Theological Faculty of the University of Tübingen. She teaches at the Protestant Theological Faculty of the Westphalian Wilhelms University of Münster.
Source: Renovabis

Dr Maria-Luise Schneider is Deputy Director of the Katholische Akademie in Berlin and responsible for the topic area of Politics & Society. She moderated the closing panel on the last day of the congress.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — Dr Maria-Luise Schneider is Deputy Director of the Katholische Akademie in Berlin and responsible for the topic area of Politics & Society. She moderated the closing panel on the last day of the congress.
Source: Renovabis

Programme booklet for the International Congress Renovabis. Most of the presentations and discussions could also be followed online via livestream.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — Programme booklet for the International Congress Renovabis. Most of the presentations and discussions could also be followed online via livestream.
Source: Renovabis

Joachim Sauer is responsible for the Renovabis congresses and is in charge of organising the event.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — Joachim Sauer is responsible for the Renovabis congresses and is in charge of organising the event.
Source: Renovabis

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Ceremonial act on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Renovabis

At the start of the congress, on 12 September 2023, the solidarity initiative Renovabis celebrated its 30th anniversary with a vespers service at 5 p.m. in the church of St. Sylvester, followed by a festive event at the Katholische Akademie in Bavaria (both in Munich). Joachim Gauck, former President of the Federal Republic of Germany, gave the keynote speech. Afterwards, the Bavarian state government hosted a state reception.

Impressions of the Ceremonial act

The ceremony in the Katholische Akademie was preceded by vespers in the neighbouring church of St. Sylvester. The sermon was given by the Archbishop of Munich and Freising, Reinhard Cardinal Marx.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — The ceremony in the Katholische Akademie was preceded by vespers in the neighbouring church of St. Sylvester. The sermon was given by the Archbishop of Munich and Freising, Reinhard Cardinal Marx.
Source: Renovabis

„Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and persevering in prayer“ - that was the Cardinal's wish for Renovabis.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — „Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and persevering in prayer“ - that was the Cardinal's wish for Renovabis.
Source: Renovabis

The event hall at the Katholische Akademie in Munich was packed with over 300 participants.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — The event hall at the Katholische Akademie in Munich was packed with over 300 participants.
Source: Renovabis

A short film clip gave an insight into the work of the aid organisation.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — A short film clip gave an insight into the work of the aid organisation.
Source: Renovabis

Renovabis' Chief Executive Officer Prof Dr Thomas Schwartz welcomed the guests and introduced the evening's programme.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — Renovabis' Chief Executive Officer Prof Dr Thomas Schwartz welcomed the guests and introduced the evening's programme.
Source: Renovabis

Minister of State Dr Florian Herrmann MdL gave a welcoming address on behalf of the Bavarian state government.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — Minister of State Dr Florian Herrmann MdL gave a welcoming address on behalf of the Bavarian state government.
Source: Renovabis

Moderator Irene Esmann spoke with Father Dr Hans Langendörfer SJ and Wolfgang Klose (ZdK) about the founding history of Renovabis.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — Moderator Irene Esmann spoke with Father Dr Hans Langendörfer SJ and Wolfgang Klose (ZdK) about the founding history of Renovabis.
Source: Renovabis

The music group „bazár dilo“ from Munich played songs and rhythms from the Balkans.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — The music group „bazár dilo“ from Munich played songs and rhythms from the Balkans.
Source: Renovabis

View of guests in the front row.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — View of guests in the front row.
Source: Renovabis

Presenter Irene Esmann spoke to the President of Caritas Ukraine, Tetiana Stawnychy, about the situation in Ukraine and the challenges of Caritas' work.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — Presenter Irene Esmann spoke to the President of Caritas Ukraine, Tetiana Stawnychy, about the situation in Ukraine and the challenges of Caritas' work.
Source: Renovabis

Former Federal President Joachim Gauck gave the keynote speech at the ceremony to mark the 30th anniversary of Renovabis.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — Former Federal President Joachim Gauck gave the keynote speech at the ceremony to mark the 30th anniversary of Renovabis.
Source: Renovabis

Discussion with Prof. Dr Klara-Antonia Csiszar, pastoral theologian at the KU Linz and former Renovabis scholarship holder, former Federal Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, spokesperson for the ZdK Committee on Sustainable Development and Global Responsibility, Archbishop Reinhard Cardinal Marx and Dr Irina Scherbakowa.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — Discussion with Prof. Dr Klara-Antonia Csiszar, pastoral theologian at the KU Linz and former Renovabis scholarship holder, former Federal Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, spokesperson for the ZdK Committee on Sustainable Development and Global Responsibility, Archbishop Reinhard Cardinal Marx and Dr Irina Scherbakowa.
Source: Renovabis

Dr Irina Scherbakowa - winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and co-founder of the human rights organisation Memorial.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — Dr Irina Scherbakowa - winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and co-founder of the human rights organisation Memorial.
Source: Renovabis

Music, buffet and socialising at the Bavarian State Government's state reception in the garden of the Katholische Akademie in Bayern.<br><small class="stackrow__imagesource">Source: Renovabis </small> — Music, buffet and socialising at the Bavarian State Government's state reception in the garden of the Katholische Akademie in Bayern.
Source: Renovabis

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