Public Education about Religious Diversity: The Wider Context of the EC REDCo project

1. Public Education about Religious Diversity: The Wider Context of the EC REDCo project St. Petersburg September 2007 Robert Jackson Warwick Religions and Education Research Unit

2. EC REDCo Project – religion, education dialogue & conflict • ‘Religion in Education: A Contribution to Dialogue or a Factor of Conflict in Transforming Societies of European Countries’ • EC Framework 6 Project 2006-9 • 10 European universities including St Petersburg- • Other universities are from Germany, Norway, France, England, Spain, the Netherlands & Estonia

3. Religion and Education: Global Political and Social Context Events related to religion – global, regional and local • September 11, 2001 in USA • Afghanistan and Iraq wars/occupations • Bali, Casablanca, Jakarta, Istanbul, Madrid, London, Mumbai etc • Inter–religious Israel/Palestine, Balkans etc & intra- religious conflicts (Ireland, Iraq) • Civil disorder in N. UK towns in 2001 and France in late 2005 • The ‘Cartoons’ affair 2006 – Denmark etc • Positive ‘social capital’ – Desmond Tutu, Dalai Lama, religiously based movements for peace and justice, interfaith networks etc

4. International Institutions and the study of religions in schools • UN • Alliance of Civilizations – ‘Religious leaders, education policymakers, and interfaith civic organizations should work together to develop consensus guidelines for teaching about religions’ (HLG Report 2006) • UNESCO • Delors report (1996) – learning to know, to do, to live together and to be … ‘developing an understanding of others and their history, traditions and spiritual values’ • Interreligious Dialogue Programme – to promote interchange and understanding between religions or beliefs, including education (in) interreligious dialogue

5. International Institutions and the study of religions in schools • EU(26 states) • European Council (heads of state and the president of the EC) - teaching materials reflecting Europe’s cultural, ethnic and religious diversity to combat racism and xenophobia • EC REDCo Project – religion, dialogue and conflict – 10 European universities including St Petersburg • Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe(OSCE) (56 states including Russian Federation) • Council of Europe(47 states including Russian Federation)

6. OSCE Toledo Guiding Principles 2007 Toledo Guiding Principles on Teaching about Religions and Beliefs in Public Schools • to contribute to an improved understanding of the world’s increasing religious diversity and the growing presence of religion in the public sphere • to assist OSCE participating States in promoting the study and knowledge about religions and beliefs in schools, particularly as a tool to enhance religious freedom and increase tolerance Underlying principles: • respect for everyone’s right to freedom of religion and belief • teaching about religions and beliefs can reduce harmful misunderstandings and stereotypes

7. Council of Europe Projects • Intercultural Education and the Challenge of Religious Diversity and Dialogue 2002-2007(DG IV) Ministerial Policy Declaration September 2007; book in Russian translation 08 • Interfaith Dialogue and Human Rights2000-2006 (ongoing)(Kazan seminar Feb 2006: Commissioner for Human Rights) • Move towards a European Centre for Human Rights and Citizenship Education, including religion(2006 onwards)

8. Council of Europe - Religious Diversity & ICE: a Reference Book for Schools2007 • Integrates ideas from intercultural, citizenship and religious education • Active, collaborative learning • Range of pedagogical approaches and methods • Ministerial recommendation with principles for dealing with religion in public education

9. Volga Forum Declaration • Final document of the International Council of Europe Conference ‘Dialogue of Cultures and Inter-Faith Cooperation’ (Volga Forum) Nizhniy Novgorod, 7-9 September 2006 • Held within the framework of the Russian Federation's chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe ‘a milestone in efforts to foster intercultural dialogue’ • To promote effective intercultural and interfaith dialogue and cooperation at local, national and international levels – including education

10. Volga Forum Declaration • The participants rejected the idea of a ‘clash of civilisations’ being at the heart of present-day instability • One way of responding to these challenges…is to promote effective intercultural and interfaith dialogue – including education • the participants expressed their support for setting up, in the framework of the Council of Europe, a Centre of excellence on human rights and democratic citizenship education, taking into account the religious dimension

11. Types of religious education in Public Education Systems • Educating into religion • a single tradition is taught by insiders • Educating about religion • religion is taught from a descriptive and historical perspective • Educating from religion • pupils relate learning to issues of personal (and social) concern

12. Diversity of Policy for Religion & Education: Contextual Factors • Historical tradition • history of Church/State relations • the nature and degree of ‘multiculturalism’ in society • Geographical position • Socio-political/economic systems • International/global influences • Move by international bodies towards including ‘teaching about religions and beliefs’

13. Reasons for studying religions in public education Citizenship & human rights arguments • to promote tolerance/respect/recognition of others/peace • to respect/protect the human rights of all to freedom of religion or belief • to counter misunderstandings, stereotypes, and caricatures • to promote community cohesion – ‘societies in which the diversity of people’s backgrounds and circumstances is appreciated and valued’