We aim to explore thoughts, experiences and research on chaplaincy and spiritual care in general society, and in hospitals/health care and in prisons.
In Norway and the rest of the Nordics, the overwhelming majority of chaplains are from the protestant churches with only a couple of Muslim and Secular Humanist chaplains. Pluralising chaplaincy in reflection of our society must be an important priority.
We believe that chaplaincy is an excellent lens to explore societies, and that chaplaincy and democracy is worth exploring from this angle.
We welcome participants from all relevant fields, including practitioners and faith and lifestance community leaders and representatives to an inspiring day of sharing and learning!
Program
- 08:30: Coffee and registration
- 09:00: Welcome
Anders Runesson, Dean Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo
Birte Nordahl, Secretary General, The Council for Religious and Life Stances
Communities in Norway - 09:30 - 12:15: Chaplaincy and Democracy, chair: Kaia Rønsdal
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Najeeba Syeed - Chaplaincy for Everyday Democracy
Najeeba Syeed is Endowed El-Hibri Professor of Interfaith Studies and Executive Director of the Interfaith Institute of Augsburg University. She has served as a mediator in conflicts, chief of staff to an elected official and led non governmental peacebuilding organizations. Syeed’s publications and research focus on religion, peacemaking, interfaith conflicts and restorative justice. -
Ruard Ganzevoort - Democracy and Chaplaincy: Responding to a Godless World?
Dr. Ruard Ganzevoort is professor of Lived Religion and Development and rector of the International Institute of Social Studies in The Hague, the Netherlands. Before he was dean of the Faculty of Religion and Theology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and president of the International Academy of Practical Theology and the International Society for Empirical Research in Theology. He published extensively on spiritual care, religious coping, trauma and sexuality. -
Panel discussion:
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Panelists: Najeeba Syed; Ruard Gaanzevort; Anne Hege Grung (TF); Birte Nordahl (STL)
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12:15: Lunch with best practice stations*
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13:35 - 17:00: Chaplaincy models, chair: Anne Hege Grung
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Naveed Baig - Decolonizing Chaplaincy at Public Institutions in the Nordics: State-Church Relations, the 'Deviating' Faith Communities and Democratic Norms.
Naveed Baig, PhD, is a guest researcher at the Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo, from which he holds his doctorate in the subject of Muslim chaplaincy and spiritual care. He was the first Muslim hospital chaplain in Denmark where he served for 15 years at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen. - Lindsay de Wal - Bridging Belief Systems: Integrating Non-Religious Perspectives within Faith-Based Chaplaincy
Dr. Lindsay de Wal is an accredited humanist chaplain and humanist celebrant, trained counsellor and humanistic coach, renowned for her pioneering work in inclusive pastoral care. As the first appointed Head of Chaplaincy in the UK as a humanist, Lindsay’s appointment made national and international headlines, marking a significant milestone in recognising non-religious pastoral support within healthcare. Lindsay recently completed her PhD from the Department of Psychology at Middlesex University, where her research focused on the lived experiences of non-religious chaplains working within faith-based healthcare chaplaincy teams. Her study into an under-researched field highlights the challenges and opportunities in integrating diverse belief systems within pastoral care, advocating for a holistic, inclusive approach that bridges faith and non-religious perspectives.With a career dedicated to advancing equity and holistic care, Lindsay’s leadership roles include Head of Spiritual and Pastoral Care at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Network Manager for the Non-Religious Pastoral Support Network with Humanists UK. She is passionate about fostering relational safety and person-centred care, both within healthcare settings and broader community contexts. - Panel Discussion:
- Panelists: Naveed Baig; Lindsay de Wal; Beret Bråten (FAFO), Lars-Petter Helgestad (HEF), Torbjørn Askevold (Hospital chaplain UNN), Birgitte Fredriksen (UIO)
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*During lunch there will be stations around the venue, where there will be presentations from chaplaincy practices in the Norwegian context:
- Station 1 – Health: Oslo University Hospital, hospital chaplain Camilla Oulie Eskildsen
- Station 2 – Universities: Livssynsåpent samtalesenter, University of Oslo, coordinator/leader Ellen Maire Tefre and Anne Anita Lillebø University Chaplain (Dnk) in Oslo.
- Station 3 – Armed forces: The Norwegian Armed Forces Chaplaincy, lieutenant colonel Nils Terje Lunde
- Station 4 – Prison: Kriminalomsorgen Innlandet, prison officer and coordinator for lifestance project in criminal care Innlandet Monica Stalheim
Register for the conference here!
If, in addition to the conference, you want to participate on a research workshop on 7th of May, please follow this link for information and registration to that day as well.
In addition to this conference and the research workshop there is also another conference on the 7th of May titled Chaplaincy på norsk. So, if you understand Norwegian and are interested in another day of chaplaincy, please follow this link for information and registration to that day as well.
