The CBD-based Cornerstone Institute, in partnership with the Centre for African Studies at UCT, hosted a dialogue titled “Religion, spirituality and social justice: Considerations toward ethical leadership” at the Artscape Theatre on Thursday July 4.
The dialogue, held on the first Thursday of every month, aims to provide a space for people to speak about issues in society.
Organiser Janine Carlse said the topics for the dialogues are chosen by looking at current news relating to South Africa and relating them to social justice. “One of Cornerstone’s values in teaching is social justice for all, so that is the main theme of our dialogues.”
The CEO of Cornerstone, Noel Davids, quoting Artscape CEO Marlene le Roux, said the space was for topics which were difficult to discuss.
Dr Darlene Miller, who is a lecturer at Wits School of Governance, spoke on how alternative women-centred approaches to power and governance could offer conceptions of ethical leadership, while Reverend Berry Behr, of the Interfaith Initiative Cape Town, spoke of the Charter for Compassion (a document
that urges the peoples and religions of the world to embrace the core value of compassion),
and how it can be used in leadership.
To conclude, Dr Chrystal Jennicke said the common language spoken in the dialogue were hope, inspiration, and peace, reconnection to the earth, and the dispersion of power, and encouraged a further discussion on the topic.
The next dialogue will take place on Thursday August 1 with the topic “The social impact of racism”, at the District Six Museum in Buitenkant Street at a time to be confirmed.