In an era marked by intensifying religious contestation and the resurgence of nationalist ideologies, the concept of civilizational identity offers a compelling lens through which torethink human belonging. While modern political discourse often treats religion and nation as primary markers of identity, historical and philosophical traditions suggest that civilizational frameworks frequently transcend these boundaries, shaping shared ethical vocabularies, cultural memory, and intellectual exchange across regions and communities.

 

This roundtable panel discussion seeks to explore how civilizational identity operates beyond the confines of religious affiliation and national belonging. Instead of viewing civilizations as rigid, monolithic entities, the symposium will emphasize their porous, dialogical, and evolving nature. Civilizations have historically been constituted through encounters with trade, translation, migration, and intellectual borrowing, resulting in layered identities that resist simplistic categorization.

 

The central question guiding this discussion is: Can civilizational identity provide a framework for understanding human belonging that surpasses the divisive frameworks of religion and nation-state politics?

 

Format

● Mode: Online (closed, invitation-based)​

● When: 1st week of June, 2026

● Participants: 6–7

 

For further details, write to Monika - mnolast@bu.edu