ISVS LECTURES AND DEBATES PROJECT 2026-2027

Project description: The Values and Spirituality in Context (VSC) Project aims to organize a series of invited lectures, discussions, and debates as a platform for investigating the meanings and roles of spirituality in a fast-changing world. The challenges of geopolitical and social uncertainty, along with new trends in lifestyle, are the premises for a new awareness of the role of spirituality, especially of the spiritual practices. The emergence of interactions through technological means and the growing impact of AI are raising new questions and dilemmas about the meaning of life and how to navigate the changing world. The project will be a forum for presenting and evaluating how today’s values relate to both old and new spiritual practices.

Project investigators: Dan Chițoiu, Corina Domnari

Project management: Corina Domnari

Project timeline: January 2026 – December 2027

Project activities

Under the VSC Project, the Institute will organize:

• In English, under the topic Values and Spirituality in Context, online and onsite invited lectures gathering contributions from scholars around the world, offering a globalview of new challenges and evolutions of the relationship among values and spirituality in a particular cultural context.
• In Romanian, invited lectures online and onsite, on the topic Valori și spiritualitate în context românesc, aim to enhance understanding of the dynamics of values within Romanian spirituality in its various forms. The goal is to promote a better understanding of how Romania’s rich cultural and religious traditions are viewed today amid the evolving social landscape and mental frameworks.
• Discussions and debates in English and Romanian aim to raise awareness about the challenges of the new world and the role of spirituality within the evolving set of values, in political, cultural, and social contexts today.

Activities:

• January 30, 2026 – Gabriel Hasmasuchi, Vasile Avram: percepția sacrului si ritmurile existenței – (https://instvs.org/vasile-avram-perceptia-sacrului-si-ritmurile-existentei/)
• February 28, 2026 – Osman Bilen, Spiritual Values of Nature in the Sufi Wisdom – (https://instvs.org/spiritual-values-of-nature-in-the-sufi-wisdom/)
• March 20, 2026 – Jove Jim Aguas, Bahay Kubo: Enduring Symbol of Filipino Culture and Values – (https://instvs.org/bahay-kubo-enduring-symbol-of-filipino-culture-and-values/)