GIC+ Summer Programme

Objectives

The GIC+ Summer Programme at Regent’s Park College, Oxford University, aims to create a space for senior religious leaders and faith representatives where they can discuss with each other, hear from leading academics and engage with other senior religious leaders who have grappled with matters relating to sexuality and gender identity.  The purpose is to create a safe and confidential environment in which these highly sensitive issues might be discussed in private, recognising that they are creating pastoral challenges for all religions. The Programme will involve world leading speakers in their field, a chance to engage with significant religious and political figures In the UK and worldwide.

Management

Summer Programme Host: Rt Revd David Hamid

Project Director: Prof Dr Freya Baetens, Regent’s Park College, University of Oxford (GIC+ Project Director)

Nominations Board:

Most Revd Jeremy Greaves, Archbishop of Brisbane, GIC+ Co-Chair (Chair)

Revd Dr Anthony Clarke, Regent’s Park College (Vice-Chair)

Rt Revd Dr David Hamid, GIC+ Programme Host

Dilwar Hussain MBE, GIC+ Co-Chair

Rabbi Mike Moskowitz, Congregation Beith Simchat Torah

Pritpal Bhullar, Sikh LGBT+ Inclusion

Rev Derrick McQueen, Ph.D., Associate Director of CARSS, Columbia University

Jayne Ozanne, GIC+ Project Consultant

Prof Dr Freya Baetens, Regent’s Park College, University of Oxford (GIC+ Project Director)

Academic Board:

Prof Sir Malcolm Evans KCMG, Principal of Regent’s Park College (Chair)

Revd Dr Anthony Clarke, Regent’s Park College (Vice-Chair)

Revd Canon Rosie Harper, Chair, Ozanne Foundation

Dilwar Hussain MBE, GIC+ Co-Chair

Thomas Lawrie, OUDCE

Prof Roger Dalrymple, Regent’s Park College and OUDCE

Rt Revd Dr David Hamid, GIC+ Programme Host

Jayne Ozanne, GIC+ Project Consultant

Prof Dr Freya Baetens, Regent’s Park College, University of Oxford (GIC+ Project Director)

Safeguarding

Creating a space of trust

How we occupy shared space with those who differ from us is as important as the matter under discussion. The following protocols should govern conversations convened under the auspices of the GIC+ Summer School. Participants will be invited to consent to working within these guidelines.

Protocol One – Respect for the Space

We seek to create a safe space where all feel welcome and respected.

We seek to be an inclusive space where all views are heard and diversity encouraged.

We offer space which is private but not secret.

Protocol Two – Shape the Conversation

We invite participants to give careful attention to each other and therefore:

• Listen actively to those speaking.
• Acknowledge what others say before moving on to have our say.
• Separate people from the problem, the personality from the argument.
• Tell our stories to share about ourselves.

We commit to a process in which we:

• Accept how we and others feel and the legitimacy of our feelings.
• Become mutual and interdependent participants.
• Concern ourselves with shared interests and not defined positions.
• Develop sensitivity to the views and perceptions of others.

We acknowledge our responsibility to:

• Recognise others have a stake in the outcome.
• Remain open to the future we must share.
• Retain our curiosity in the other person.

Protocol Three – Share the Learning

We encourage participants, when possible, to openly share knowledge and understanding gained from being part of this space.

We expect participants to be free to use any information received, but neither the identity nor affiliation of the speaker, nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.

We require that participants refrain from exploiting others with whom they have shared this space by misuse of what has been learnt.

Funding

The Programme is funded by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.