Through “Spiritual Exemplars: A Global Project on Engaged Spirituality,” the Center for Religion and Civic Culture (CRCC) at the University of Southern California has had access to interviews with 104 humanitarians, conducted by researchers and journalists. These interviews about humanitarians’ life stories, work, spiritual practices and beliefs shed light into how engaged spirituality inspires and sustains their action in the world.
In this panel, CRCC’s research team will share how we defined “spiritual exemplars” and what we are learning about such individuals. What spiritual practices help them persevere in the face of great challenges? What are the shadow sides of humanitarianism? If exemplars are people that we admire and emulate, what can we learn from them as we confront issues from poverty to climate change to war?
