Santa Clara University Hosts Hans Kung, Catholic Theologian and Scholar; Kung to Open the World Religions Exhibit and Address Symposium on Global Human Responsibilities

Business Wire, March 14, 2005

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Catholic theologian and philosophy scholar Hans Kung will open the Global Ethic Foundation's "World's Religions: Common Ethical Values" exhibit at Santa Clara University. The exhibit has been shown at the United Nations Plaza, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank.

The World Religions exhibit, at SCU's Arts and Sciences Building, runs through June 2005. The opening reception is scheduled for March 31, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Kung's lecture on commonalities between Hinduism, Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam will begin at 6.30 p.m. in the Mayer Theatre.

Kung will also participate in a symposium on Human Rights and Responsibilities on April 1. The symposium (8:30 a.m.-4.30 p.m. in SCU's Recital Hall) is sponsored by the Global Leadership and Ethics Program of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, in cooperation with the InterAction Council. Other speakers include Malcolm Fraser, former Prime Minister, Commonwealth of Australia, and Bertrand Ramcharan, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The InterAction Council has proposed a Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities to complement the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Declaration on Human Responsibilities suggests an approach for balancing freedom with responsibility. The symposium will explore ways in which these two concepts can reinforce one another.

Kung is the author of the proposal of the InterAction Council for a Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities, starting with the Fundamental Principals for Humanity, article 1, "Every person, regardless of gender, ethnic origin, social status, political opinion, language, age, nationality, or religion, has a responsibility to treat all people in a humane way."

Born in Switzerland in 1928, Kung studied in Rome and in Paris, coming into contact with top theologians of his time. He was appointed chair of Fundamental Theology at Tubingen University, and later served as director of the Institute for Ecumenical Research for the university. He was a noted spiritual advisor to the second Vatican Council (1962-65) and is one of the 20 co-authors of the manifesto for the U.N. "Crossing the Divide: Dialogue among Civilizations."

Kung's recent emphasis has moved from theology to the global responsibilities of Christians. He calls for every faith to self-reflect, since, as he says, none has access to absolute truth. He hopes that a global ethic will emerge out of the interaction between religions.

"Hans Kung has been the most articulate champion of the need for a global ethic, drawing on the ethical beliefs of all religions," said Kirk O. Hanson, executive director of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. "We are honored to have him speak at Santa Clara University on this critical topic."

Both events are free and open to the public.

For a complete list of symposium speakers or symposium agenda, or for a copy of the Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities, contact Almaz Negash at 408-554-7890 or anegash@scu.edu.

TO SCHEDULE AN INTERVIEW, PLEASE CALL BRONWYN HOGAN AT 408-554-5126.

About the Markkula Canter for Applied Ethics

Founded in 1986, the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics has grown into one of the four most active university-based ethics centers in the United States. The center at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, Calif., is a nationally recognized resource for people and organizations that want to study and apply an ethical approach to decision-making. The center supports research, assists faculty in integrating ethics into their courses and helps businesses, schools, hospitals and other organizations put ethics to work. Ethics center programs include: biotechnology and health care ethics; business ethics; K-12 character education; philosophical questions in applied ethics, public policy and government ethics; and emerging issues in ethics. For more information, see www.scu.edu/ethics.> About Santa Clara University

Santa Clara University, a comprehensive Jesuit, Catholic university located in California's Silicon Valley, offers its 8,213 students rigorous undergraduate curricula in arts and sciences, business, and engineering, plus master's and law degrees. Distinguished nationally by the second-highest graduation rate among all U.S. master's universities, California's oldest higher-education institution demonstrates faith-inspired values of ethics and social justice. More information is online at www.scu.edu.