Meaning of Universal Basic Income from Catholic, Protestant, and Buddhist Perspectives

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] A discussion forum is generating attention as it will interpret the meaning of universal basic income from various religious perspectives—including Catholicism, Protestantism, and Buddhism—which have previously been analyzed only from institutional and policy angles in economics and welfare.

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 23rd that a special session with the theme "Universal Basic Income from a Religious Perspective" will be held at 2 p.m. on the first day (28th) of the International Universal Basic Income Conference, one of the side events of the '2021 Korea Universal Basic Income Expo' opening on the 28th.

The special session will be chaired by Professor Emeritus Yun Seok-san of Hanyang University's Department of Korean Language and Literature, who previously served as director of the School of International Culture at Hanyang University and head of the Seoul Archdiocese of Cheondoism. Presenters will include Father Park Sang-hoon, director of the Jesuit Center for Human Rights Solidarity, representing Catholicism; Professor Chung Mi-hyun of Yonsei University's Graduate School of Union Theology, representing Protestantism; and Professor Yu Seung-moo of Dongguk University's Department of Buddhist Sociology, representing Buddhism.

On the day, Father Park Sang-hoon, director of the Jesuit Center for Human Rights Solidarity, will present on "Universal Basic Income and Catholic Social Thought," explaining the relationship between Catholic social thought and universal basic income.

Catholic social thought—the official teachings of the Catholic Church on social life, politics, economics, and ecology—includes tenets such as "all people should contribute to and benefit from the common economy" and "support redistribution policies that contribute to poverty alleviation."

Director Park will examine the similarities between Catholic social thought and universal basic income.

Professor Chung Mi-hyun of Yonsei University's Graduate School of Union Theology will present on "Universal Basic Income from the Perspective of Swiss Reformation Spirit and Feminist Theology," applying the theology of Swiss Reformation figure Ulrich Zwingli to the concept of universal basic income.

Professor Chung presents the view that from a feminist theology perspective, universal basic income can help raise awareness and facilitate transformation regarding women's labor conditions and inequality structures, including issues of unpaid domestic work and low-wage care work.

Professor Yu Seung-moo of Dongguk University's Department of Buddhist Sociology will introduce "Guaranteeing Basic Rights to Practice as a Sangha-Type Universal Basic Income."

Professor Yu argues that amid a situation where the religious community has been affected by the Fourth Industrial Revolution and COVID-19, the religious order needs to adopt a Sangha-type universal basic income system to guarantee basic rights to practice.

The explanation is that the Buddhist order should provide a certain income to all practitioners to resolve inequality, privatization, and secularization within the Sangha while ensuring stability of practice.

Following the presentations by each speaker, discussions will continue with Father Park Dong-ho, chief priest of Seoul Imun-dong Church and an active member of the Association of Korean Priests for Justice, Professor Emeritus Kang Won-don of Hansin University's Department of Theology, and Yu Jeong-gil, executive chairman of the Buddhist Environmental Movement Alliance.

The International Universal Basic Income Conference will be held over two days, on the 28th and 29th, with the theme "From the Corona Catastrophe to a New Great Transformation: Universal Basic Income," bringing together 68 domestic and international scholars and experts for spirited policy discussions conducted online.

Meanwhile, the main event of the "2021 Korea Universal Basic Income Expo" will be held for four days from the 28th to the 30th at KINTEX Hall 1.