Power and Vulnerability: Narratives of Uncertainty in Global Dynamics

The contemporary world is undergoing a period of profound reconfiguration, marked by a paradox in the meaning of power: while conflictual intentions and technological capacities reach unprecedented levels, the sense of individual and collective vulnerability is becoming more acute. The international conference “Power and Vulnerability: Narratives of Uncertainty in Global Dynamics” proposes an interdisciplinary exploration of contemporary challenges that are redefining the human condition in a world marked by instability and rapid social transformations. This academic event aims to bring together diverse perspectives – theological, philosophical, political, psychological, and sociological – in order to examine three major phenomena that shape the uncertainties of the present: 1. The impact of global armed conflicts on the individual and on social structures, analyzing not only the immediate effects of violence and destruction, but also the long term consequences for the human psyche and democratic value systems. Topics such as collective trauma, post conflict identity reconstruction, and the redefinition of concepts such as security, integrity, peace, and dialogue will be explored. 2. The intensification of radical political ideologies that borrow and adapt religious narratives, examining how these movements exploit existential anxieties and the need for meaning in a time of uncertainty. 3. The awareness of an existential pressure generated by the unequal competition between the human biological and cognitive rhythm and the exponential acceleration of technological developments (artificial intelligence, digitalization, etc.), resulting in an experience of human powerlessness in the face of processes that are difficult to understand and regulate. This section will address ethical dilemmas, transformations of interpersonal relationships, as well as new forms of vulnerability and power generated by technological advancement. From a theological and philosophical perspective, the conference will analyze the role of religious traditions and philosophical paradigms in formulating credible responses to current crises, questioning the limits of power and re-signifying vulnerability not as weakness, but as a starting point for an ethic of solidarity and responsibility. From a political and sociological standpoint, it will examine the transformation of power relations, the emergence of new forms of radicalization, the weakening of democratic institutions, and their effects on human integrity and social cohesion. The psychological approach will explore the traumatic impact of fear, insecurity, and the indiscriminate use of technologies on identity and mental health. The conference encourages an integrative approach that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries, with the aim of offering a more nuanced understanding of the complex relationship between power and vulnerability. By bringing together varied perspectives, the conference seeks to contribute to a better understanding of the conditions that shape contemporary human experience. Its objective is to identify not only challenges, but also potential responses and strategies for resilience and adaptation at both individual and collective levels. We invite university professors, researchers, and doctoral students from relevant fields to contribute original perspectives and critical analyses on the new meanings of power and vulnerability in our time. The event will provide a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue, exchange of ideas, and the development of new academic networks.