The second presentation in the SVD Australia Province’s online lecture series for this year, exploring the theme, ‘Integral Human Development in a Fragmented World’ will take place on Thursday, July 16.

Exploring the theme from the Magisterial and Interreligious Perspectives, the presentation will feature distinguished scholars, Fr Sebastian M. Michael SVD and Fr Wilibaldus Gaut SVD.

The series is an initiative of the Province’s Mission, Education and Research (MER) team, which aims to promote education and research for mission.

The first lecture, held in May, explored Integral Human Development from the Biblical and Mission perspective and other upcoming presentations will consider the theme from the perspectives of Contemporary Concerns (September 2026), and Formation of Youth and Religious (November 2026).

“By providing these foundational insights for free and without registration, the MER team intends to foster an inclusive environment for public dialogue that bridges academic research with practical ministry,” said the Chair of the MER team, Fr Anthony Le Duc SVD.

The first of the speakers in the July 16 presentation will be Fr Sebastian M. Michael, who is Emeritus Professor and Adjunct Faculty of Cultural Anthropology at the University of Mumbai, and Director of the Institute of Indian Culture.

A distinguished scholar, he has successfully guided 21 PhD researchers and serves on various university Research Committees. Dr Michael has authored and edited numerous influential books, including Dalits in Modern India and his latest 2026 volume, Effects of Digitalisation on Marginalised Communities in India.

Beyond academia, he serves as Secretary to the Bombay Archdiocesan Commission for Inter-Religious Dialogue and is a Consultor to the Pontifical Council for Culture at the Vatican.

Fr Wilibaldus Gaut SVD, known as Fr Willy, was born in Manggarai, Flores, Indonesia. He joined the Society of the Divine Word in 2003 and was ordained a priest in 2013. He holds a doctoral degree in Systematic Theology from KU Leuven, Belgium. He has published books, book chapters, and articles in international journals. He currently teaches theology courses and serves as Head of the Postgraduate Program in Theology at the Ledalero Institute of Philosophy and Creative Technology in Maumere, Indonesia. Additionally, he is currently Editor-in-Chief of Ledalogos: Jurnal Filsafat.

The online lectures are free to attend and no registration is required.

Event Details:

Date: July 16, 2026

Time: 4PM — Bangkok (BKK); 5 PM — Manila; 7 PM — Sydney

How to Join: Click the link below or use the Zoom credentials to enter the lecture hall directly:

Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3875344942?pwd=ZrUyi9JAK68f8AQdNsUKDJgsShb6oc.1&omn=86462323094

• Zoom ID: 387 534 4942
• Passcode: MER.AUS26