Religion & The Cities We Need Call for Papers / Presentations / Meetings

Thank you for your interest in submitting a paper, presentation, or meeting proposal to present in our international gathering Religion & the Cities We Need where we invite global leaders to gather and collaborate on how religious communities can contribute to co-creating just, sustainable, and resilient cities for all—that is the cities we need.

Our gathering will take place in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, from 4—7 November 2025.

Topic Suggestions

Sacred Shelter: Faith-Based Solutions to the Urban Housing Crisis

• Examine how religious institutions are addressing housing insecurity through land stewardship, development partnerships, and advocacy.

Faith and the Urban Commons: Building Shared Spaces for Public Good

• Explore how faith communities contribute to the creation, stewardship, and protection of inclusive public spaces in the city—parks, plazas, community centers, and beyond.

Religious Actors in Urban Policy: Bridging Local Governance and Moral Authority

• Analyze the role of faith-based organizations in shaping city policy, fostering participatory governance, and co-producing urban solutions in partnership with municipal institutions.

Theological Perspectives on Cities We Need

• Theological frameworks on spatial justice, placemaking, neighborhood renewal, etc.

Faith-Based Land Use: Religious Property as a Catalyst for Urban Transformation

• Adaptive reuse, land trusts, and faith-led development strategies.

Spiritual Ecology and Urban Climate Resilience

• Sacred traditions supporting green infrastructure and ecological justice.

Covenantal Pluralism in the City

• Interfaith models for civic engagement and building flourishing cities for all.

City as Sanctuary: Faith and Urban Migration

• Religious responses to displacement, migration, and belonging.

Youth, Faith, and the Right to the City

• Youth-led, faith-rooted civic activism and creative placemaking.

Paper Presentation Guide

If you are submitting a paper please submit both an abstract of your paper and the paper itself.

Presentation / Meeting Guide

If you are submitting a presentation proposal please submit the following information:

• Title of Presentation or Meeting:

• Presenter / Meeting Facilitator Name, Title, & Organization:

• Presentation / Meeting Objective: (300 words max)

• Presentation / Meeting Description: (600 words max)

• Proposed Learning Objectives: (List and describe 3—5 in 300 words max)

• Additional presenters names, titles, organizations.

  
  

Deadline for Submissions Extended from Aug. 31 to

30 Sept. 2025

Acceptance Notifications

10 October 2025 (or Sept 20 if submitted by the 1st deadline)