The International Study Commission on Media, Religion, and Culture is a group of scholars and practitioners who have gathered to consider the shape and direction of both productive and reflective work in these three intersecting fields. It is part of the wider ongoing process of reflection and study which is being conducted currently by various organizations and individuals throughout the world. It is intended to facilitate continuing dialog and to stimulate and support both scholarship and media production in the area. The first meeting was held in 1996. Shortly thereafter a core group formulated four core issues for study and these will comprise the scope of the study commission's interest. It is intended that the study group will engage a widening circle of scholars, practitioners, and church leaders, both clergy and lay, in an ongoing process of study, reflection, and action. In keeping with the overall movement of which it is a part, the Commission has received the cooperation of the Uppsala Group, a scholarly collegium dedicated to research and scholarship on media, religion, and culture, the directors of the Conference on Media, Religion, and Culture, and of the Centro Interdisciplenare Sulla Communicazione Sociale in Rome. It is the intention of the Commission to solicit collaboration and endorsement from other related initiatives and agencies as its work progresses. Further activities and projectsthe contexts and challenges facing the churches in the emerging religious climate of are intended to pursue the goal of an assessment of the media age. Such activities may include, but will not be limited to: conferences, seminars and consultations, commissioning of specific research; cooperative support of related research projects; cooperation in related conferences, projects, and initiatives; support of creative work of various kinds, and; preparation and presentation of findings in a variety of forms and contexts. The composition of the Commission will also evolve and develop over the course of its work. A variety of specialists will be asked to sit with the Commission from time to time, and additional members may be asked to join the core group as needs and interests develop. The term of the Commissions' work is projected to be eight years by which time it will either have completed its tasks, or it will have established plans for whatever ongoing means may be necessary to address its findings and learnings. The Commission may find that its goals can best be met at that time through existing agencies and initiatives, or it may propose new ones. That remains to be seen. The Commission considers its work to now be underway, and invites reflection, cooperation and support from any and all interested individuals and groups. The questions and challenges are large and broad ones, and there is much to be done. The work will be conducted in as open a manner as possible, and this website will include, resources, ideas, and findings in order to promote ongoing dialog with comment, the wider community of interest. |