Scholars seeking virtuous economy convene

(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - May 14, 2010) Scholars, activists and faith leaders from throughout the world will come together at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks from June 6 through 10 to discuss the search for a virtuous economy.

The ninth annual international Globalization for the Common Good Conference is titled "In Search of the Virtuous Economy: A Plea for Dialogue, Wisdom and the Common Good."

Panel discussions will explore an ecological political economy, the role of business education in creating morally responsible prosperity, engaging youth spirituality for positive social change and many other topics.

Representatives with Switzerland-based Globethics.net, the New York-based Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, and the Bank of Thailand will talk about ethical investments for a sufficiency economy. A panel on "Mass Media, Financial Crises and Social Responsibility" will feature professors from Purdue University, the University of Southern California and Erasmus University in the Netherlands. Participants in a spiritual intimacy panel include a swami, a philosophy professor, a pair of filmmakers and a representative of the Southern California Committee for a Parliament of the World's Religions.

The conference will begin with the founder of Globalisation for the Common Good, the director of the Faith and Globalisation Programme at Durham University, the CEO of Ciudades Luz (For a Life with Dignity) in Guatemala, and CLU philosophy professor Nathan Tierney providing an overview on the need for a virtuous economy. The panels conclude with a discussion of Ventura County's social justice movement titled "The Democratization of Philanthropy: Positive Alternatives to Traditional Ways." Hans Köchler, president of the International Progress Organization in Austria, will deliver the keynote address.

The annual conference grew out of a life-changing discovery that Iranian-born Kamran Mofid made after 20 years of teaching economics at universities. He regretted that he had not gone beyond the mathematical models and theories to discuss compassion, solidarity and spirituality with his students. He had told them about scarcity and competition, but not about abundance and cooperation. He had covered free trade, but not fair trade. Now, each year, Mofid invites people to come together with a global focus on the common good.

CLU's Center for Leadership & Values is sponsoring the 2010 conference as part of its 50th anniversary celebration. Past conferences have been held in Russia, Australia, Turkey, Kenya, England and Dubai. The next conference will be held in Egypt.

Registration for the full five-day program is $180. Single day registration is $50. For more information or to register, go to http://www.callutheran.edu/CLV/gcg or contact Jamshid Damooei at damooei@callutheran.edu or (805) 493-3357.