A debrief of the 22nd annual debate of the Jerusalem and Athens Forum. Students will discuss their experiences researching, collaborating on, and participating in the debate, as well as general thoughts on the topic.
We have diverse students majored in literature, economics, environmental science, and international affairs who will discuss the questions below: 1. Is beauty necessary for justice, or can justice exist without beauty? 2. Who gets to define justice on a global scale? On what basis (e.g. cultural, national, institutional, etc.)? 3. Are government systems capable of upholding justice, or do they require moral guidance? 4. Is justice primarily about equality, or about protecting human dignity? 5. How do societies preserve beauty (e.g. culture, art, traditions) amidst economic/political crises. 6. Does globalization create more justice, or does it deepen inequality between nations? 7. Should Wealthy countries be responsible for addressing global poverty and climate change? 8. Are democratic systems necessary for justice, or can justice exist under different political systems? 9. Do international institutions (UN, IMF, World Bank) actually promote justice, or reinforce power structures? 10. Can technological progress (AI, automation, cryptocurrency) create a more just world? What are some challenges we might face related to inequality?
The questions are formulated to draw out conversations derived from cross-cultural experience and classroom knowledge on global operations.
IJM and the Social Welfare Club hope to host a faculty panel discussing the role of systems in God's redemptive purposes. Both IJM and SWC advocate for justice for the most vulnerable, understanding a holistic vision for the part Christians play in bringing it forth. Through this panel, we aim to explore how broken systems can be transformed into avenues of redemption, reflecting both truth and grace. Drawing from faculty across disciplines such as social work, political science, and theology, the conversation will invite interdisciplinary insight into how justice is pursued within complex institutions. This topic grows out of students’ curricular and co-curricular engagement at Gordon, particularly through coursework on social systems, ethics, and global justice, as well as involvement in service, advocacy, and IJM initiatives. Ultimately, we hope to cast a vision of justice that is not only about confronting the failures of systems but also about restoring beauty in individuals, communities, and institutions.
A post-performance panel discussion on Gordon's recent production of Twelfth Night the Musical. Come learn about what went into creating the show and bring your own thoughts on Twelfth Night!
