Vancouver School of Theology - Iona Pacific Inter-Religious Centre

Iona Pacific Inter-Religious Centre

• Social Action • Research • Contemplative Practice

Mission

Iona Pacific is the inter-religious and multi-cultural context for Vancouver School of Theology’s core work of preparing leaders for tomorrow’s world. The Centre researches and implements new ways of facing critical local and global challenges to the well-being of the next generation of our shared communities. It draws upon the world’s wisdom traditions in order to foster a common sense of purpose, respect for differences, and socially engaged learning with academic and lay leaders, elders and youth, from North America and beyond.

Focus

Iona Pacific addresses how religious traditions can illuminate and enhance productive responses to complex social problems of this era, such as trans-generational urban and rural poverty, climate change and environmental degradation, alienation and despair among youth. Iona Pacific partners with First Nations and other ethno-religious, cultural, and secular communities, leaders, scholars, and institutions keen to pursue inter-religious social action and research. Iona Pacific models dialogical, constructive, and innovative research, learning and social engagement.

Programs

• innovative research projects

• research-driven, social action partnerships

• visiting scholar programs

• inter-communal forums

• workshops, seminars, courses (including degree courses)

• curricular resources

• print and new media publications for the academy and beyond

Director, Rabbi Dr. Robert Daum

Rabbi Dr. Robert Daum is the Director of Iona Pacific: Inter-Religious Centre for Social Action, Research and Contemplative Practice. He is also the Associate Professor of Rabbinic Literature and Jewish Thought. Dr. Daum holds a PhD in Near Eastern Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, an MA in Hebrew Literature from Hebrew Union College, and a BA magna cum laude from Tufts University. Most recently the Diamond Chair in Jewish Law and Ethics in the Department of Classical, Near Eastern, and Religious Studies and has been a Faculty Associate in the UBC Centre of Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of British Columbia, Dr. Daum has taught at both Vancouver School of Theology and Sonoma State University, and has also served as a Rabbi in congregations in the United States.