First International Symposium
May 14-17, 2026
Sankt-Wenzeslaus-Stift Meeting Center
Markersdorf, Germany
Symposium Schedule
A Call for Transformation
We live in troubled times. The interlocking trends of massive disruption — ecological, political, economic, and other systems — have already been subsumed under the “polycrisis” umbrella term. Such critical times necessitate urgent reexaminations of our foundational assumptions and worldviews. We need a different story to frame our understanding of the radically transformed reality.
“When we are alone on a starlit night; when by chance we see the migrating birds in autumn descending on a grove of junipers to rest and eat, when we see children in a moment when they are really children… at such times the awakening, the turning inside out of all values, the ‘newness,’ the emptiness and the purity of vision that make themselves evident, provide a glimpse of the cosmic dance.”
Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation, 296-297.
Our Vision
Inspired by the prophetic wisdom of Thomas Merton, we create spaces for dialogue that transcend traditional boundaries. Our network brings together thinkers, contemplatives, activists, and all those seeking to build a more just and sustainable world. We extend our understanding of kinship beyond human relationships to embrace the complex web of life that makes our planet whole.
- Ecology and Interreligious Dialogue
- Ecology and Education
- Interreligious Dialogue and Education
- Prof. Dr. Luce Lopez-Baralt
- Prof. Dr. Vasudha Narayanan
- Prof. Dr. Jung Eun Sophia Park
- Prof. Dr. Meena Sharify-Funk
- Prof. Dr. Marcela Raggio
- Prof. Dr. Cristobal Serran-Pagan y Fuentes
In the heart of Upper Lusatia, where Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic meet, Sankt-Wenzeslaus-Stift provides our gathering place. Nestled in the thousand-year-old village of Jauernick-Buschbach, this historic setting offers:
- Contemplative spaces for dialogue
- Family-friendly accommodations
- Access to swimming facilities
- Natural surroundings for reflection
- Proximity to sustainable and historic sites
During the symposium, explore:
- Ostritz St. Marienthal: Experience one of Europe’s most sustainable towns
- Herrnhut: UNESCO World Heritage site and home of the Moravian Brothers
- Upper Lusatian Landscape: Gentle hills and historic villages
Join Our Community
“We believe that our future will be made by hope and love, not by violence or calculation. The Spirit of Life that has brought us together, whether in space or only in agreement, will make our encounter an epiphany of certainties we could not know in isolation.”
Thomas Merton, Raids on the Unspeakable, 156.