From Dialogue to Collaboration

Conferences focusing on the thought of Fethullah Gülen, especially the activitiesof the faith-based movement inspired by it, can nowadays be consideredcommon events. Indeed, by now the organization of such academic conferencescan rightfully be regarded as yet another regular field of activity of themovement, besides its major and relentless endeavors in interreligious dialogue,secular education, welfare, and the media. Whereas the major eventsof the last two years took place in Europe and the United States (London andRotterdam, 2007; Washington DC, 2008; and Potsdam, 2009), the AustralianCatholic University, the Australian Intercultural Society, and Monash Universityput Australia back on the map with this conference. Convened during 15-16 July 2009 at the Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, it was alsomeant to celebrate last year’s establishment of the university’s FethullahGülen Chair for Islamic Studies, held by Prof. Ismail Albayrak ...