The Prolife Center at the University of St. Thomas and the VITA Research Center at Universidad del Istmo (UNIS) invite scholars to participate in an international conference dedicated to examining the anthropological foundations of civil law in light of the Christian understanding of the human person.
Celebrated on the Feast of St. John Paul II, this conference takes inspiration from his profound contribution to theological anthropology, human dignity, and the relationship between truth and freedom. At a moment when civil law is increasingly shaped by contested views of the person—particularly in matters of sexuality, biotechnology, family life, and human rights—this gathering seeks to recover and articulate a coherent account of the human person grounded in reason and illuminated by faith.
Faithful to the Catholic intellectual tradition and open to ecumenical and interdisciplinary dialogue, the conference will explore how law both reflects and forms society’s understanding of the human person. We welcome contributions that draw upon Scripture, Thomistic and personalist philosophy, natural law theory, Catholic social teaching, and related traditions.
GUIDING QUESTIONS
• What is the nature of the human person, and how should this truth shape civil law?
• How does the Christian understanding of embodiment, relationality, and complementarity inform legal norms?
• Can civil law remain truly neutral with respect to competing anthropological visions?
• What becomes of human rights when they are detached from a robust understanding of human dignity?
• How should legislators respond to technological developments that challenge the givenness and integrity of the human body?
CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
Workshop I
Human Rights and the Anthropological Basis of Law
Workshop II
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights: Function and Jurisprudence in the Protection of Human Life
Workshop III
Human Dignity as the Ontological Excellence of the Human Person
Workshop IV
Revisiting Natural Law: Foundations, Challenges, and Contemporary Relevance
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Scholars wishing to present a paper are invited to submit:
• An abstract of 500–750 words clearly presenting the thesis, methodology, and principal arguments of the proposed paper.
• A brief curriculum vitae (2–3 pages).
• Institutional affiliation and complete contact information.
IMPORTANT DATES
Submission Deadline
July 15, 2026
Notification of Acceptance
August 15, 2026
Full Draft Deadline (for commentators)
September 15, 2026
SUBMISSION INFORMATION
Submissions should be sent in PDF format to:
PUBLICATION OPPORTUNITIES
The organizers anticipate pursuing the publication of selected papers in an edited scholarly volume and/or a peer-reviewed academic journal consistent with the themes of the conference.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS
Prolife Center
University of St. Thomas (Minnesota)
Rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition, the Prolife Center is dedicated to integrating faith and reason in the formation of legal professionals and public leaders committed to the defense of human dignity and life.
VITA Research Center
Universidad del Istmo (UNIS)
A Natural Law Center for Human Flourishing, dedicated to advancing research on the dignity of the human person and its implications for law, culture, public policy, and social development.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Professor Teresa Stanton Collett
Director, Prolife Center
Professor of Law
University of St. Thomas (Minnesota)
tscollett@stthomas.edu
Jary Méndez Maddaleno, Ph.D.
Vice Dean, Faculty of Law
VITA Research Center
Universidad del Istmo (UNIS)
jmendez@unis.edu.gt