ARC’s 10th International Roundtable Saint John’s University, Thailand

The 10th International Roundtable of the Asian Research Center for Religion and Social Communication (ARC) with the theme Religious Communication in Multicultural Asia: Realities, Experiences, Challenges was held from 8 to 11 October 2018 at Saint John’s University (SJU), Bangkok, Thailand, the home of ARC. From numerous abstracts received, thirteen papers from fourteen scholars all over Asia were selected for presentation in this year’s roundtable.

On the first day, the participants were treated to a welcome dinner by Dr. Chainarong Monthienvichienchai, SJU Chancellor, at the SJU Mansion. They were also welcomed by Dr. Franz-Josef Eilers, svd, ARC Director and Dr. Anthony Le Duc, svd, ARC Deputy Director.

Over the course of three days, the participants presented their respective researches for discussion and reflection. A special presentation from Dr. Sikares Sirakan from Thailand Communication Network was also given.  

The participants were:  

Fr. Amornkit Prompakdee, MA (Roman Catholic Diocese of Suratthani Thailand): Signs and Symbols in Art and Architecture of Christianity and Buddhism in Thailand.  

Dr. Anthony Le Duc, svd (Saenghtam College, Bangkok; Asian Research Center for Religion and Social Communication Thailand): Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue in Asia in the Post-Truth Era.  

Dr. Binod C. Agrawal (Gujarat Vidyapith, India): Indigenizing Colonial Religion of Composite Civilization: A Fresh Interpretation of Sanatan Dharma in Democratic India.  

Mr. Leo-Martin Ocampo, MA (University of Santo Tomas, Philippines): Digital Expressions, Experiences and Challenges of and for Religions in Asia.  

Mr. Jose Destura, Jr., LPT, MA (De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute-Special Senior High School, Philippines): Resilience as a Growing Field of Communication Research—its Relation to Asian Religions. 

Mr. Nguyen Bang Nong, MA (Institute of Anthropology, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences Vietnam): Current Realities of Religion in the Central Highlands, Vietnam: Different Experiences Between State and Local People. 

Dr. Sebastian Periannan (St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute India): Social Media and Religious Communication in the Perspective of an Indian Scenario.  

Dr. Chandrabhanu Pattanayak (Institute of Knowledge Societies, Centurion University of Technology and Management, India): Ramayana as the Symbol that Bound Hindutva Together.  

Mr. Leslin Bastian, MA (Centre for Media and Entertainment Studies, MICA, Ahmedabad, India): Connecting with the Millennial: the Indian Christian Youths’ Music Experience.  

Fr. Stanislaus Irudayaselvam, MA (University of the Philippines-Los Baños, India): Religion in Development Communication: An Inexorable Concept. 

Dr. Shubha H. S. (Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India): Reinventing Religious Rituals in the Digital Age: Exploring the Daily Practices Among the Brahmins in Karnataka.  

Mr. Kenneth Rayco, MA (St. Jude Catholic School, Manila; Asian Research Center for Religion and Social Communication, Philippines): Religious Communication in Spanish era Philippines (1565-1898).  

Dr. Rico Jacoba and Dr. Jeramie Molino (St. Louis University, Baguio City, Philippines): The Role of Inclusive Language in Inter-religious Communication. 

Dr. Vinod Pandey (Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Gujarat Vidyapith, India): Religious Contributions of Communication in Bringing World Peace: Analysis of Ancient Texts of Hindu India. 

The 11th ARC International Roundtable is slated on 9-12 March 2020. Further details are to be released to the ARC Network and through the official ARC channels.