Effective Altruism for Christians 2022 Annual Conference

Time and Place

Saturday 23th April | 100% Online | Free Admission

11 AM - 4 PM US Eastern | 4 PM - 9 PM BST

Purpose

Our conference brings together Christians who are passionate about using reason and evidence to tackle the world’s most pressing problems.

Opportunity

This event is a great chance for Christians to:

  • Learn from other inspiring Christian students, professionals, academics and entrepreneurs.

  • Discover high-impact giving and career opportunities.

  • Network with EA-minded Christians from all over the world.

Community

We believe in the value of our global community.

This conference helps you form connections with Christians in EA via:

  • Speed meetings

  • Workshops

  • 1-1s (via our forthcoming Attendee Profile Sheet)

Keynote Speaker: Bruce Friedrich

Bruce Friedrich at EA for Christians

Bruce Friedrich

Bruce Friedrich is the founder and CEO of the Good Food Institute. With more than 140 full-time team members across the globe, GFI is accelerating the production of plant-based and cultivated meat in order to bolster the global protein supply while protecting our environment, promoting global health, and preventing food insecurity.

 

Scheduled Activities

Seminar Talks

  • Keynote: EA Christianity & the Case for Alt Proteins

    What are alternative proteins and why are they so exciting for a Christian in EA? How can we grow the Christian EA movement?

    Delivered by Bruce Friedrich.

  • The Biblical Case For Radical & Effective Giving

    What does the Bible say about stewardship? Can Christians be even more radical than secular EAs in their giving?

    Delivered by Jason Dykstra.

  • Using RCTs in Christian charity evaluation

    Is it possible to measure the effectiveness of a Christian charity program using randomized controlled trials (RCTs)? A look into ICM’s exciting research.

    Delivered by David Sutherland.

  • Why Christians Should Care About Wild Animal Suffering

    Is there a Christian case for working to prevent the suffering of wild animals? What is this case, and what can be done?

    Delivered by Dustin Crummett.

  • Research in Effective Altruism and Christianity

    What are the key research areas in the intersection of EA and Christianity? How can I get involved?

    Delivered by Vesa Hautala.

Fireside Chats, Panels and Workshops

  • Fireside chat with Katie Fantaguzzi

    Katie has experience working as a consultant and an advisor at a Givewell top charity. She is also a Christian and spent one year with the Community of St. Anselm’s.

    We ask her about her journey and what she has learned from her unique experiences.

  • Fireside chat with Joy and Sam

    Joy Bittner and Samuel Dupret are both Christians working in the effective mental health and wellbeing space.

    We ask them: “what’s it like? How does Christianity influence your idea of well-being?”

  • Panel: “Is Effective Altruism too utilitarian for Christians?”

    EA is often perceived as utilitarian or consequentialist in its ethics. Is EA too utilitarian for a follower of Christ?

    A panel discussion with philosopher Harriet Baber and author Leah Libresco.

  • Panel: Earning to Give

    We ask three Christians with experience earning to give: “What advice would you offer to Christians interested in this? Should you give now or later? Should EA emphasize earning to give more?”

    A panel discussion with Sydney Filler, Sondre Rasch, and Michelle Taylor.

  • Workshop: Promoting altruism and effectiveness among Christians

    How can we best share effective altruism with Christians? What are the most recent and effective resources for that.

    Led by Asia Wiaterek

  • Workshop: Prayer

    Participants are welcome for ecumenical prayer in their choice of five breakout rooms. Each room prays for one of five causes: the global poor, animals and the environment, great power conflicts (Ukraine), the Church, and the Effective Altruism movement.

    Led by JD Bauman

  • Speed Meetings

    At various points throughout the conference, attendees will have the opportunity to meet other Christians in EA from all around the world, via structured speed meetings.

    Gathertown will be open for spontaneous meet-ups during the entire conference.

What People Are Saying

 

“Overall, 10/10 conference! I'd love to attend another in future!”

— Jody Pan

“I also thought the virtual nature was great for what is quite a global community. It’s really exciting having people from all over the world. “

— Tom Grand

“Seriously, this conference was just the right length of time, and used that time really well. Much better than expected, and perhaps the best virtual conference I've been to since the pandemic started. Well done!”

— Jess Riedel

 

New to Effective Altruism?

 

We’d love to introduce you to these transformative concepts and this wonderful global community.

Last Year’s Talks

(Or see here for a full recap of last year’s conference)

Amplifying capital flows to people in extreme poverty

Paul Niehaus - Co-founder of GiveDirectly.

 

How Should Christians Think about Existential Risk?

Brian Green - Director of technology ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics.

 

Why should Christians care about animal welfare?

David Clough - Profesor of Theological Ethics at the University of Chester.

 

Fireside Chat with Joan Gass

Joan Gass - Executive Director at the Centre for Effective Altruism.

 

Faith, EA and the Climate Emergency

Dominic Roser - Senior lecturer at the Interdisciplinary Institute for Ethics and Human Rights.

 

Fireside Chat with Jason Dykstra

Jason Dykstra - Doctor (MD) and board-certified radiologist.