International Network in Advanced Theological Education (INATE)

Statement of Co-operation

Gurukul, Chennai (Madras),

INDIA, August 1997 (Revised Edition 25. November 1997)

1. Aim of co-operation

1.1. The signatories of this statement agree to establish an international network for the study and development of a contextual theology, which will foster the interchange of students at advanced level (i.e. master's degree or equivalent studies together with different forms of postgraduate studies, continuing education and other creative expressions of theological formulations related to the emerging subaltern peoples' theologies), as well as co-operation between teachers, students and church-related organisations world-wide in areas such as curriculum development, research and publication.

1.2. The aim of this network will be the promotion of cross-cultural interchange and understanding of theology in our different contexts and thereby improving the role of theological education in church and society by making them better able to respond to the concrete needs of the local and global communities. (Cf. Letter of Intent, Oslo Aug. 1996, "Preamble").

2. Areas of co-operation

2.1. Exchange of students at advanced level

2.1.1. The network partners agree to foster the exchange of students for periods of 1/2 to 1 year's duration, based on Master's programmes or equivalent studies at home institutions; or the whole Master's programme at the host-institution. 2.1.2. The Network institutions aim at giving mutual recognition to the academic standard and level of each other's programmes in advanced theological education. The basic principle for mutuality will be related to student workload measured in time. 2.1.3. The recognition of studies realised at host institution as an integrated part of one particular study programme at home institution, is dependent on prior acceptance by home institution. 2.1.4. The medium of instruction is English. Network institutions that are presently not offering classes in English, are encouraged to take the necessary steps in this direction. 2.1.5. Rules of procedure for the exchange of students in the network: 2.1.5.1 Each institution may send two students (under the network quota) for studies at one of the other Network institutions each year. This number may vary according to interests, needs and available funding. 2.1.5.2 Each institution presents its candidates for exchange to the Co-ordinator, taking into account the Network's commitment to gender justice as well as ecumenical, social and cultural inclusiveness, by February 1^st and August 1^st. A preliminary budget for the interchange should be attached. 2.1.5.3 The Co-ordinator presents a proposal to the Network institutions through their respective members in the Network Committee. A decision should be made by April 1^st and October 1^st. 2.1.5.4 The Network will aim at financing travel costs for the exchange students. For this purpose a Network Exchange Fund will be established. However, the participating institutions will first seek other funding, where available. 2.1.5.5 Study fees, living costs and other costs will normally be sought to be covered within the principle of mutual hospitality between the Network institutions, or by way of other arrangements. Where this turns out to be difficult, financial support for living costs and other needs may also be sought from the Network Exchange Fund. 2.1.5.6 Practical arrangements are dealt with bilaterally between home and host institutions. 2.1.5.7 Upon return to home institution, the exchange student should send a report to the Co-ordinator containing a brief evaluation of the interchange experience (approx. 2-5 pages), as well as a copy of any term paper, thesis or dissertation produced during the interchange. An evaluation from the student's tutor should also be included. These documents may be shared throughout the Network. 2.1.5.8 Unresolved issues should be communicated to the Co-ordinator. Solution should primarily be sought on a bilateral level between host and home institutions. 2.1.6. Planned level of activity: Maximum 12 students per year in the whole network.

2.2. Exchange of staff

2.2.1. The network will promote and support the exchange of teachers / professors for combined educational and research purposes. 2.2.2. The network institutions agree to facilitate and give priority to study visits made by teachers and professors from the other network institutions to their institution. 2.2.3. Planned level of activity: 2-3 teachers per year in the whole network, dependent on requests and budget.

2.3. Curriculum planning

2.3.1. The network institutions agree to co-operate in the development of curricula for an ecumenical, contextual and cross-cultural theological education at advanced level. 2.3.2. This objective will be achieved by: 1) strengthening each other in the development of local curricula for a contextual theology 2) searching for and addressing common concerns in the development of a contextual and global approach to theological education. 2.3.3. Planned level of activity: 3 consultations, in 1997, 1999 and 2001.

2.4. Co-operation in research and publication

2.4.1. The network institutions agree to co-operate in research and publication to the extent which is practically possible and of mutual benefit.

2.5. Establishment of computer links and information exchange

2.5.1. The network institutions agree to establish computer links and promote the exchange of information to the extent which is practically possible and of mutual benefit.

3. Regulations and organisation

3.1. About the partners in the network

3.1.1. The following institutions participate in the network: Escola Superior de Teologia in São Leopoldo, Brazil, School of Theology at the University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Centre in Chennai, India; Lutheran Theological Seminary in Hong Kong, China; and Evangelical-Lutheran Theological University in Budapest, Hungary, Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo, jointly with The Seminary of Practical Theology, University of Oslo and the Diakonhjemmet College, Oslo.

3.2. Mutual recognition between the Network partners

3.2.1. The Network is based on the principle of mutual trust and confidence between the participating higher education institutions. 3.2.2. The mutual recognition upon which this co-operation rests, is to be understood as follows: a) There is a mutual recognition of each other as theological institutions. b) There is a mutual recognition of the academic standard and level of each other's academic programmes in advanced theological education. c) In terms of content and adaptation into a particular study programme, student exchange depends on a prior authorisation from home institution. This can be formalised e.g. by the use of study contracts for each exchange student, to be signed by both host and home institutions, as well as by the student her- / himself. 3.2.3. In order to reinforce this mutual trust and confidence, and make the interchange of students in advanced education as operational as possible, the Network institutions agree to keep one another informed of courses available, their content and workload.

3.3. About other organisations and agencies in support of the network

3.3.1. Norwegian Church Aid and Christian Mission to Buddhists are supporting partners to the Network, having contributed to the foundation of this Network. 3.3.2. Other educational institutions, mission organisations and Church bodies, funding agencies and ecumenical organisations that share the vision of the Network, are also invited to be in support of the Network. These may participate in the Network Consultations in the capacity of consultants.

3.4. About the organisation of the network

3.4.1. The Network is made up of six independent theological institutions or groups of co-operating institutions, mentioned in 3.1. 3.4.2. The overall strategies, rules and procedures for the network are decided upon in biannual Network consultations. 3.4.3. Between the consultations, the activity of the network is governed by the Statement of Co-operation. 3.4.4. The network has a Network Committee consisting of a contact person from each institution or group of co-operating institutions together with the Co-ordinator. The Network Committee oversees and facilitates the work of the Co-ordinator, and carries overall responsibility for the activities of the Network. Unresolved issues within the Network shall be referred to the Network Committee. 3.4.5. The consultation asks one of the member institutions to take on the co-ordination of the network for a period decided by the Network Consultation. Oslo is asked to take the responsibility of the co-ordination for this present period, until the Consultation set for 2001. 3.4.6. The co-ordinating institution appoints a Co-ordinator. The Co-ordinator is responsible to the Network institutions through the members of the Network Committee. The tasks of the Co-ordinator will be i.a. the following:

promotion of the aims and activities of the Network