John Keast, Athens, 8 October 2007 1 1st Regional Debate on “The religious dimension of...

transcript

John Keast, Athens, 8 October 2007

1st Regional Debate on “The religious dimension of intercultural education” Athens, 8- 9 October 2007

“The Religious dimension of intercultural education”

The main outcome of the Council of Europe project: “Religious Diversity and Intercultural Education: a Reference Book for Schools”

- its purpose, nature and useJohn Keast, UK

Purposes of presentation

Disseminate information about the Reference Book

Identify issues concerning religion, education and dialogue in the book

Consider the examples of current practice in the Reference book

Background to CoE project The rise of religious dimension 9/11 and other events New thinking on intercultural education ‘Building stable and cohesive societies’ programme,

and leading to Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008

Project realised the need to examine

role of religion and religions in Europe their contribution to intercultural education

and dialogue

- not just as problems of tension and conflict

- but as part of the solution

Education also part of solution

Neither quick nor easy

Diverse cultural and educational issues

Variety of European historical & educational contexts

Athens Declaration 2003

European ministers agreed to: Make arrangements to take

ICE into account

Identify models of good practice

Build understanding by introducing … inter-religious dialogue … as major contribution to shared goals

Reference Book Contents Theoretical

Pedagogical

Practical- Whole school issues

- Examples of current practice

Reference Book: Part 1 - theoretical underpinning (1)

Religion as a cultural phenomenon

Religious, philosophical and cultural convictions and the public sphere

Manifestations of religious diversity

Reference Book: part 1 - theoretical underpinning (2) Aims

Tolerance (strong sense)- respect for others

Reciprocity- grant to others the same asone would like for oneself,

Civic mindedness- capacity to stand back- moderation

Reference Book: part 1 - theoretical underpinning (3) Other

Plurality and pluralism

Culture, race, nationality

Multiculturalism, stereotyping

Reference Book Part 2 - Pedagogical Conditions

Cooperative approach - everyone to learn together to achieve a common goal

Safe space and distancing - for pupil self-expression and dialogue

Empathetic communication - capacity to gain better knowledge of ourselves and others

Reference Book Part 2 - Pedagogical approaches

Phenomenological- promote knowledge and understanding

Interpretative- representation, interpretation & reflexivity

Dialogical - sharing “the same umbrella”

Contextual - real life experience and context

Reference Book - Part 3: whole school issues

Ethos Governance and management School life and activities Curriculum

Reference Book - Part 4 Examples of current practice (1) Varied

Reflect on own practice Develop own practice

further

Questions are included

to enable practitioners to reflect on their own practice. Examples:

Could I use this example in my own school? If not, why not?

How could I modify this example to suit my own situation?

How could I get the resources to make this example work for me?

Reference Book - Part 4 Examples of current practice (2) Dialogue Commonality and diversity Respect Texts Festivals Music Arts International Week Visits to places of significance Exchanges

The Challenge of Intercultural Education today: Religious diversity and dialogue in Europe

Not the last word Beginning of development of better practice “From little acorns mighty

oaks grow”

The Challenge of Intercultural Education today: Religious diversity and dialogue in Europe

Implementation policy training Practice

Recommendations to go forward

John Keast, Athens, 8 October 2007 1 1st Regional Debate on “The religious dimension of...

Documents