The aim of the Obergurgl Governance Symposia (the name refers to the location of the conference centre of Innsbruck University in the scenic Alpine resort of Obergurgl) is to advance contemporary debates about governance both theoretically and practically. Theoretical debates stood in the centre of the first conference, which took place in October 2007 and was dedicated to the topic "Governance: Multi-level or post-democratic". This year's symposium tackled a practical field of governance, which has only recently moved into the horizon of social and political science debates: the relationship between politics and religion.--> GovernanceThe theme of governance is a central concern in contemporary political and social sciences. It refers to the study of political processes and actors in political systems that are characterized by multi-level national and international political structures rather than a centralized model of government. Not one centralized political entity is in the focu
