International Conference “Religion, Economy and ASEAN Community”

Attending the workshop, (i) on the side of relevant agencies were Mr. Duong Ngoc Tan (Deputy Head of the Government Propaganda Department), Dr. Le Ba Trinh (Former Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front), Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh (Head of the Religious Affairs Department, Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front); (ii) on the side of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities were Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh (Principal of the University), Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim (Vice Principal of the University), Prof. Dr. Do Quang Hung (Head of the Research Group on Religion & Rule of Law), along with many scientists, managers, religious dignitaries, representatives of relevant central agencies.

Conference scene

Speaking at the workshop, Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh emphasized the importance of the workshop theme, which is the role of religion in economic development as well as the close relationship between these two factors. This theme not only attracts the attention of scientists and scholars but also arouses the attention of businessmen, religious dignitaries, and policy makers. This workshop is also organized from the perspective of the ASEAN Community. In the context of the ASEAN Economic Community being established for nearly 2 years (December 2015 - October 2017), ASEAN needs to ensure the harmony between economic development and the fields of politics, society, and religion. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh believes that the workshop will bring valuable experiences and lessons to policy makers in ASEAN in the process of building a common community.

Sharing the same view with Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh, Prof. Brett G. Scharffs (Deputy Director of the Center for the Study of Law and Religion, Brigham Young University Law School) affirmed that a healthy and dynamic economy is closely related to a country's response to religious issues. If there is religious repression or discrimination, the economic growth of that country will be significantly damaged. He said that there are currently two common views on religion: the first is to see religion as a problem that needs to be solved and dealt with, the second is as an opportunity to contribute to development. While acknowledging the existence of both views, he emphasized national policies in the second direction. For ASEAN in particular, this is a region with a rich diversity of religions, including three major representatives: Islam, Buddhism and Christianity. To achieve its full potential, the ASEAN community needs to create religious harmony, which means treating all religions fairly and positively. Especially when there are still religious conflicts within and between ASEAN countries.

Professor Brett G. Scharffs speaks at the conference

On behalf of the strong Research Group on Religion & Rule of Law, Prof. Dr. Do Quang Hung said that the idea of ​​organizing a conference on religion and economics in Southeast Asia has been formed for a long time. According to him, new terms have appeared in the research community such as "economic-religious capital", "economics of religion". That proves that religion plays a role in business activities. Therefore, this conference aims to delve deeper into the relationship between these two factors. Another special feature of the conference is that in addition to scientists, managers, and businessmen, there is also the participation of religious dignitaries such as Venerable Thich Bao Nghiem of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and Grand Knight of the Holy Cross Le Duc Thinh. This is an additional voice in the exchange between the two sides of economics and religion.

Prof. Dr. Do Quang Hung speaks at the conference

The workshop will take place over two days, October 23-24, 2017, with 6 sub-committees.

Subcommittee 1:Religion and Economics: Approaches

Subcommittee 2:Religious Economics in Southeast Asia Today

Subcommittee 3:Businessmen, religious people, politicians, researchers: Religious social harmony in ASEAN Community development

Subcommittee 4:Religion and Law in Southeast Asia: Dependent and Independent Variables

Subcommittee 5:Religious Economics in the Sociopolitical Context of Southeast Asia

Subcommittee 6:Religion, Economics in Southeast Asia: Problems and Prospects