Bosco Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Public Theology

Bosco Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Public Theology (BIRCPT)

BIRCPT (Bosco Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Public Theology) aims at studying the effectiveness of educational and social centres in serving youth today, and more specifically verifying and promoting the effectiveness of the goals set by the Christian/Salesian Formal Educational Institutions (like colleges, polytechnic colleges, schools, study centres, etc.) at the service of adolescents and youth in Tamil Nadu, India.

As a centre for Public Theological Research, we aim at verifying and promoting the effectiveness of the educational goals that can be shared with others in the pluralistic religio-cultural context:

firstly, with reference to the Formal Educational Institutions in the public sphere;

secondly, with reference to the Informal Educational-social institutions in the public sphere;

thirdly, regarding the formation of the laity in the ecclesial sphere, who need to engage in the public sphere of employment, socio-political life, cultural promotion and communication;

fourthly, inclusive approach to public social sphere could enrich the theological reflections and offer a stronger basis for policy advocacy and lobbying across education, child protection, social welfare, labour, and human rights sectors.

Goals of Education in the Public Sphere

Promoting goals significant to religious and cultural pluralism:

Human dignity, welfare, and wellbeing

Human rights, responsibility and advocacy

Common good, social harmony

Integral development, youth empowerment

Framing and revising child protection and safeguarding policies

Sustainability, environmental care

Cultural and scientific progress

Religious and ethical development

Transformational leadership