International Conference on Children's Spirituality

Netherlands Day Event 2018

On Friday 26th January 2018, a one day event took place in Arnhem, the Netherlands, for Dutch speaking IACS members and other professionals interested in children’s spirituality. The theme: making space for the inner world of children was explored from different perspectives. In the morning, presentations were given by Liesbeth Vroemen and Steve Younger. In the afternoon there were four parallel workshops, one of them an outdoor activity. The workshops were very practical, giving participants a taste of a variety of methods for nurturing the inner world of children.

IACS CONFERENCE 2018

The 16th International Conference on Children’s Spirituality – Questioning relationships between children’s spirituality and traditions – hosted by Prof. Elaine Champagne, took place at Laval University, Québec city, Canada, from Tuesday 24 July – Friday 27 July 2018. The conference interested practitioners and researchers coming from a diversity of disciplinary, cultural, and professional backgrounds who are concerned with the spiritual well-being and development of children and young adults, from 0 to 20 years old. You will find all relevant information for the conference by following this link: https://www.chaire-spiritualites.ulaval.ca/dialoguer-et-diffuser/colloques-et-congres-2/iacs-conference-2018/. We enjoyed seeing you in Quebec City in July 2018!

IACS CONFERENCE 2016

The 15th International Conference on Children’s Spirituality – Spirituality and the whole child: interdisciplinary approaches, hosted by Dr Kate Adams, took place at Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln, from Tuesday 26 July – Friday 29 July 2016. Over seventy participants from thirteen countries explored children’s spirituality from a range of perspectives. The conference provided a forum for those engaged in education, social work, health care, counselling, psychology, chaplaincy, practical theology, the arts, humanities and anthropology amongst others to share their latest research and practice. The conference explored the ways in which spirituality is conceived in and across cultures, and how more connections between different disciplines could be made to advance understanding of this important element of children’s lives. International keynote speakers included:

• John (Jack) Miller, University of Toronto, Canada Equinox Holistic Alternative School: an integrated approach to learning
• Joyce Ann Mercer, PhD., LCSW, Professor of Practical Theology and Pastoral Care, Yale Divinity School, USA Restorative Spirituality: hope for traumatized children
• Jacqueline Watson, PhD., Visiting Fellow, University of Exeter and University of East Anglia, UK Every Child Still Matters: interdisciplinary approaches to the spirituality of the child

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UK day event 2014

Nurturing children’s spirituality in schools: challenges and opportunities…..

On Saturday 4th October, IACS hosted a day event for UK members and other professionals interested in children’s and young people’s spirituality. 35 delegates attended the event, held at Woodbrooke Study centre in Birmingham. The event was well received and it provided a great opportunity for networking and learning together. A selection of photos can be found in the member’s area. A personal reflection on the day can be read here.