From October 28 to 31, 2024, prof. Ondrej Štefaňák from Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra visited the Faculty of Theology at the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow as part of the Erasmus+ program. His visit aimed to foster knowledge exchange and establish new academic connections in the fields of sociology of religion, morality, and values. This was a historic event, marking the first time a lecturer from Nitra had conducted lectures at our university's Faculty of Theology within the Erasmus+ Program.

During his visit, prof. Štefaňák delivered a series of lectures presenting his research findings on the religiosity and morality of Slovak youth, as well as the general state of personal and social values in contemporary Slovakia. The lectures offered participants insights into the evolving attitudes of young Slovaks, particularly their approach to religion and moral values, while also providing a comparative perspective with research conducted in Poland. Professor Štefaňák emphasized the challenges of empirical research methodology in the sociology of religion and morality, sparking an engaging discussion with UPJPII students and faculty. This was also an opportunity to exchange experiences on data collection and comparative analysis of youth and societal attitudes.

As part of his visit, prof. Štefaňák met with the UPJPII International Cooperation Office, where they discussed future cooperation opportunities between the two universities. Accompanied by Fr. Prof. Bogdan Zbroja from the Faculty of Theology, he also toured the University Library, a unique place that houses rare works associated with the university’s patron, St. John Paul II. This visit not only showcased the library's rich resources but also inspired potential future collaborative research projects.

Professor Štefaňák expressed his gratitude for the warm hospitality and highlighted the importance of such meetings for the academic and cultural development of mutual understanding between academic communities of different countries. His visit was an excellent opportunity to expand the network of international contacts in the field of sociology of religion and morality research.

You can also read about the visit on the website of the Faculty of the University of Constantine the Philosopher in Nitra.

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