2024-25 Notre Dame Forum Theme Announcement
Dear Members of the Notre Dame Community,
I hope you are enjoying the summer.
As you may know, when Fr. Jenkins became president of the University in 2005, he established the Notre Dame Forum, designed to invite campus-wide dialogue each year about an issue of importance to the University, the nation, and the wider world. I intend to carry forward this wonderful tradition, and I am writing to you today to share the theme for the 2024–25 Notre Dame Forum.
Around the world, many observers are alarmed about a collapsing sense of community as fewer and fewer people feel a responsibility to care for others. For this year’s Forum, we invite the Notre Dame community to reflect on this theme: What Do We Owe Each Other? With a growing and often welcome emphasis on individual rights and freedoms, how should we—individually and collectively—think about our responsibilities to one another? In a world where ideological and cultural divisions seem to have deepened and wars in Ukraine, Israel/Gaza, and elsewhere have caused such terrible suffering, how can we bring people together to face the challenges of our times? How can Catholic social thought help us engage in fruitful dialogue with those whose perspectives are different from our own, bridge social divides, and promote healing in the midst of suffering, division, and injustice?
The principles of Catholic social thought provide context for our consideration of questions concerning these subjects:
- Life and Dignity of the Human Person
- Call to Family, Community, and Participation
- Rights and Responsibilities
- Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
- The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
- Solidarity
- Care for God's Creation
I invite each of us to consider how we might participate in the exploration of this year’s Forum theme, whether in the context of the classroom, through informal conversations with fellow students and colleagues, or by hosting or attending a Forum event.
As has been our practice, my office will host a series of keynote events related to our Forum theme, including a special keynote event on September 12 in connection with the Presidential Inauguration. We have convened a faculty advisory committee to guide the planning of these events, and we will share more information in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, if you or your department, club, or organization are planning an event that relates to this year’s Forum theme, please let us know by emailing forum@nd.edu.
May these coming weeks afford each of you opportunities for relaxation and refreshment. I look forward to seeing everyone back on campus this fall. Until then, know that you and your loved ones are in my prayers.
Sincerely Yours in Notre Dame,
Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C.
President
Sent on June 4, 2024