Mission and Memory:
Documenting World Christianity in the 21st Century

Balaton, Hungary, 18-23 August 2008

Organized by the Documentation Archives Bibliography and Oral History Study Group (DABOH) of the
International Association for Mission Studies (IAMS)
in conjunction with the 12^th IAMS Assembly:
Human Identity and the Gospel of Reconciliation:
Agenda for Mission Studies and Praxis in the 21^st Century

Introduction:

The purpose of the Consultation is to bring together institutional representatives and historians to explore the issues and strategies for documenting world Christianity in the radically changed geopolitical and ecclesiastical contexts in the 21^st century. This Consultation takes place in the parallel group sessions in the IAMS 12^th Assembly. One extra half-day, Saturday 23 August 2008, is devoted to this Consultation.

The Consultation gathers around three themes:

(1) Survey of key depositories - both geographical and virtual - in documenting world Christianity. What are their priorities and policies?

(2) Issues and Strategies for Extending Access. What are the issues in documenting and interpreting Christianity in the present-day geopolitical contexts? How can we empower historians outside of Western Europe to write and own their own histories? Why is this important? Who own and control the documents? Who are empowered and disempowered?

(3) Issues and Strategies for establishing national and regional partnership. How can churches outside of Western Europe and America develop their own resources in documenting Christianity? Why is it important to develop regional and international cooperation in documenting Christianity? Can we identify some emerging models for such endeavours?

Design group members:

Andrew Walls, Gerald Anderson, Rosemary Seton, Paul Stuehrenberg, John Roxborogh, Jon Bonk, Michael Poon (Convener)

How can I participate?

You should register with the 12^th IAMS Assembly The Secretariat, Nijmegen Institute for Missiology (NIM) Postbus 9103 6500 HD  Nijmegen, The Netherlands, Email: IAMS@omsc.org , http://www.nim.kun.nl . For further information on registration with IAMS Assembly, please visit the IAMS 12th Assembly webpage.  Please contact Michael Poon, DABOH Convener for further information.  Please note that on Tuesday 19 August -- the day reserved for exposure trip -- DABOH participants will visit the Central and Eastern European Institute for Mission Studies at Budapest, and hold a full day consultation there.

All presenters should bring their papers to the Consultation for distribution to participants. 

Click here for the list of participants, and their profiles.

Update:

26 May 2008: Registration to IAMS Assembly is now closed.  For those who have registered and wish to attend the DABOH Consultation, please inform Dr Jan van Butselaar, IAMS General Secretary, and Dr Michael Poon, DABOH Convener soonest.   Please note wireless internet connection is available at the Balaton venue hotel rooms free of charge to participants.

12 July 2008:  There is no internet access at the meeting venues.  LCD projector is available.  Presenters are encouraged to bring their own laptop computers.  (Please note the wall outlet plug configuration in Hungary.)  Please write the Local Organizing Committee for information on the overall IAMS Assembly and any changes to travel plans. E-mail: Szkárosi Niké,  szkarosi.nike@kre.hu.

6 August 2008: Wifi internet connection available for the Tuesday 19 August  afternoon sessions at Budapest.  Lunch arrangements for Saturday 23 August:  cold lunch packs (35 ordered).  Those receiving DABOH subsidy please bring your receipts and settle claims with Ms Briony Seymour during the Conference.

7 August 2008:  Practical arrangements on transportation between Budapest and Balaton, and local information from the Local Organizing Committee.

12 August 2008.  Please refer to the Local Organizing Committee weblog for latest news on the IAMS Assembly.

Programme (Group Photo)

Papers presented at Balaton 2008

IAMS homepage + DABOH