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International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry
European Regional Conference



Centre and Periphery: navigating the situatedness of youth ministry 

Leuven, Belgium        -         7-10 April 2027

Call For Papers:
Open May 2026 - closes on 2 October 2026



Conference Theme:

Church was once the centre of society across Europe but is now, generally, in decline and is therefore increasingly situated on the edge. This may position Christian youth in the periphery of society and even marginalise young people themselves in their social groups. What is more, youth ministry has not been the centre of attention in most churches. While it can take up a central role there are many ways in which youth ministry can be treated as a peripheral part of ministry. On the other hand, youth work as a vital part of a democratic society seems to be more necessary than ever.

Youth ministry experiences this ambiguity of being sometimes in the centre and sometimes at the periphery. The 2027 European Conference seeks to address these experiences of (de)centring.

  • How does positionality enable or hinder youth ministry?
  • Where is epistemic authority located for youth ministry professionals? For youth?
  • In what ways is the tension between centre and periphery felt?
  • What is the dynamic in your region with urban and rural youth ministry?
  • In what way is youth ministry in your church in the centre (normative) and/or marginalized?
  • What is the role of youth organizations outside of a formal church framework?
  • How can the relationship and the differences between youth work and youth ministry be described?
  • In which ways does Christian youth ministry contribute to the goals of youth work in Europe (cf. link; link; link)?



Page is still under construction

Submit an Abstract:

Open April 2026 closes on 2 October 2026
We will confirm paper proposals by the 9th of November

Proposals are invited in one of three categories: research papers; a dialogue, workshop, or roundtable discussion; or an emerging research paper.

• Research Papers present new research that is ready to be presented and critically engaged by a formal respondent as well as group discussion. Research Papers will be chosen by the academic committee to be presented as a keynote address or in an elective session.

• Dialogue, workshop, or roundtable discussions present a topic that will benefit from interaction from diverse perspectives. These sessions are most often presented by a team of scholars who have worked together to frame the dialogue. Dialogue, workshop, or roundtable discussions may be chosen by the academic committee to be presented as a keynote session or in an elective session.

• Emerging Research sessions provide an opportunity to share ‘works-in-progress’ and developing thoughts as well as completed ideas not yet established in a formal paper. These sessions provide an opportunity for new or emerging researchers (whether engaged in formal study or as a thoughtful practitioner) to receive feedback in a constructive environment, or for seasoned researchers to road-test preliminary project ideas. Emerging research will be presented in elective sessions.

Abstracts for presentation proposals are due by Friday, 2 October 2026 using this submission form: XXX

The academic committee will provide notification of paper acceptance by Monday 9 November 2024.

Full-text papers will need to be submitted by 22 February 2025. Presenters are requested to ensure that your paper meets the author instructions for the Journal of Youth and Theology: https://brill.com/fileasset/downloads_products/Author_Instructions/JYT.pdf

Academic Committee: XXX

Download the Call for Papers as a PDF here: XXX

Conference program


Short paper sessions


Registration


Accomodations / Travel


Travel to Leuven

The simplest way to Leuven is by train, whether you arrive in Belgium via airline or by train.

From Brussels Airport Zaventem , take the -2 floor level to access the Belgian Rail system (SNCB). There are two direct trains each hour which take you to Leuven in about 15 minutes. Train tickets may be purchased online before arriving via their website or at kiosks in the station. Taxis and ride shares are also available.

From Brussels South Charleroi Airport, the easiest way is to take the TEC bus (Line A1) to Charleroi-Central (SNCB) train station, which takes about 20 minutes. From there, you will see the trains headed to Leuven (about 1 hour and 5 minutes travel times). Tickets for the buses are available via vending machines; tickets for the trains are available at the station or via the Belgian Rail system (SNCB) website.

If you arrive in Belgium by Thalys or the Eurostar, you will arrive at Brussels South (Brussel Zuid/Bruxelles Midi). From Brussels South, there are several trains each hour which take you to Leuven (30 minutes). Most trains to Leuven run in the direction of Tongeren/Tongres, Eupen, Welkenraedt, Landen, Genk and Luik/Liège Guillemins.

Warning: Please note that Louvain-la-Neuve is NOT the same place as Leuven/Louvain. For further details at the rail stations, you can consult the yellow posters in the railway station or visit Belgian Rail for timetables.

If you arrive in Belgium by train from the Netherlands or from Germany, you should visit the websites for Dutch Railways (NS) or German Railways (DB).

Various methods of transport which are possible in Leuven can be found on the university’s website or on Leuven city's official website.

From the train station to the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies

The Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies is a 15 minute walk from the station. Our address is:
Sint-Michielsstraat 4
3000 Leuven
Belgium

It is also possible to go by bus (Bus 2 direction Heverlee Campus De Lijn). Depart the bus at the third stop: Leuven Sint-Michielskerk (about 7 minutes). The fare for any stop within Leuven is about 3 EUR, with pre-payments on app or at a kiosk preferred).

Restaurant Guide

The faculty has a guide to Eating i Leuven.


Contact

For practical info about the conference please contact Amy Casteel.



Centre and Periphery:
navigating the situatedness of youth ministry

Leuven, Belgium
7 (15.30) - 10 (16.30) April 2027


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