Today, hundreds of young leaders from countries and cultures on every continent will converge at Liverpool Hope University to discuss the future of their world at a week-long congress called The Big Hope.

“There has been nothing like this before,” says Gerald Pillay, the university’s Vice-Chancellor. “The idea is for young people to share their vision of a humane global society, where every faith is respected, and to explore the role of the individual in shaping this worldwide village. One of the key issues is integrity in public life.”

The event, drawing speakers from across the world, is in line with the ethos of the university and its vice-chancellor. Liverpool Hope, one of Britain’s newest universities, developed from three older teacher training colleges, one Church of England and two Roman Catholic. They came together when the Anglican Bishop, the Right Rev David Sheppard, and the Catholic Archbishop, the Most Rev Derek Worlock, were advocating ecumenism after years of division. The name Hope was later chosen as a nod to the name of the street linking Liverpool’s two cathedrals.

In 2005, Hope was granted full university status and Gerald, who was already rector, became vice-chancellor. “It’s the only ecumenical foundation of its kind in Europe,” he says. “It’s high on the list of Liverpool’s achievements. We have a commitment to ensure that no one with plans and prospects is disadvantaged by race, creed or gender. We have 7,500 students and we’re open to all, including those without faith, but we do espouse strong Christian values.”

Gerald, a theologian, was born in South Africa and raised a Christian. His parents were Indian immigrants who settled in KwaZulu-Natal, only to be disenfranchised by apartheid. Gerald grew up during its height: “I went to university, but even universities were segregated. Both religion and education led the change and I became very involved in that. It was a brutal, evil regime: many theologians stood up to it and it was a wonderful day to see its abolition.”

He was a lecturer at universities in Durban and Pretoria before being appointed to head the theology department at the University of Otago in New Zealand. “There, I became a New Zealander, and I still am,” Gerald says, “even though I have no plans to leave Liverpool. I have never lived anywhere with my bags half-packed. I like being fully engaged with the community.”

Gerald’s PA, Pat Kemble, who is also the university proctor, feels the same: “It means dealing with student discipline,” she explains. “It’s rarely anything serious — we have more than 1,000 students in our halls of residence and problems are usually something fairly minor, such as noise. I also offer pastoral support, helping students with emotional difficulties. It’s a real community here, and a privilege to be part of it.”

Pat was previously a police constable in Liverpool for ten years: “It was interesting and challenging. I never thought about it being dangerous or unpleasant, even though I walked the beat in some pretty rough areas and dealt with sex offenders.”

Pat took a career break to have children, then studied IT and the environment at the former Liverpool Institute of Higher Education, which is now part of Hope University. “I graduated in July and started here in the August as a technician,” Pat says. “It was very strange working alongside people who had been my lecturers but were now my colleagues. I gradually moved into a student support role and I’ve been here 14 years.”

Pat was working in the registry when Gerald recruited her: “Pat’s experience and gifts are so important. In her proctor role, she is both firm and empathetic. We prefer redemption to discipline and Pat helps our students to succeed. People meet Pat before me and hear her voice before mine. She does both her jobs in an exceptional way.”

A Catholic, although not a churchgoer, Pat believes in everything that Hope stands for: “This is such a special place, with a great sense of family. Professor Pillay is an easy boss. He has a busy schedule but is always calm and even-tempered, and commands universal respect.”

www.hope.ac.uk/thebighope

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