Engaging with faith-based communities – campaigning for non-violent childhoods

Engaging with faith-based communities – campaigning for non-violent childhoods Chris Dodd Churches’ Network for Non-violence (CNNV)

Main points • Reflect from the point of view of how to engage faith groups in giving constructive messages supporting non-violent childhoods. • What evidence and knowledge from behaviour change communication can guide campaigning for non-violent childhoods in relation to faith groups? • What are the good examples of engaging faith groups as influential actors in a constructive dialogue?

Faith-based action towards prohibition, elimination and implementation includes: • Raising awareness • Raising the status of the child • Developing prevention strategies towards non-violent childhoods • Countering faith-based justification for corporal punishment of children • Developing strategies for advocacy and action in partnership with multi-religious communities and other sectors • Taking a lead in the movement towards legislative reform and implementation of the law. • Contributing towards the UPR process

Work with religious leadersthrough existing roles and functions • Pastors and spiritual leaders • leaders of faith-based organisations • teachers and scholars • preachers and leaders of worship • community leaders and activists

Models for engagement with religious communities

Engagement and dialogueKyoto Declaration • A Consultation of religious leaders and experts gathered in Toledo, Spain in 2006 to develop a religious response to the UN VAC Study and to make a commitment towards ending violence against children.

Statement of unity We find strong consensus across our religious traditions about the inherent dignity of every person, including children. This requires that we reject all forms of violence against children and protect and promote the sanctity of life in every stage of a child’s development.

A Multi-Religious Commitment to End Violence against Children – Kyoto Declaration Kyoto Declaration - Article 6 “We call upon our governments to adopt legislation to prohibit all forms of violence against children, including corporal punishment, and to ensure the full rights of children, consistent with the Convention on the Rights of the Child” 8th World Assembly of Religions for Peace Kyoto, Japan, August 2006

Religious leaders speak out after consultation “Religion does not accept any form of violence against humans, especially against children. All Muslims are duty bound to raise awareness, but for religious leaders it is their job. We should highlight the role of religion regarding this issue” Ayatollah Sayed Mousavi Bojnourdi, Qom University, Iran – speaking at a UNICEF press conference about the Kyoto Declaration

The religious and moral imperative to end corporal punishment of children Key message Corporal punishment of children is incompatible with universal and religious values of respect for human dignity, compassion, justice, equality, peace and non-violence.

Examples of religious actionBhutan’s Buddhist Values place the child at the centre of policy-making

Canadian Truth and ReconciliationTheological Symposium (2017) • Apology from churches for inter-generational harm caused by corporal punishment in indigenous schools • Universities and theologians convene a theological symposium • Theologians confront interpretations of scripture used to justify corporal punishment • “Our values should shape our laws and our laws should represent our values. If we want a less violent society and peace in our world, we must end the legality of corporal punishment and treat our children with gentleness, love, compassion and respect”

Canada’s theological statement “We in the church call upon our government to ensure the full protection of children including the repeal of section 43 of the Criminal Code, which permits the assault of children by the adults who should protect them” A Book, based on the principles of the theological statement will serve as a roadmap for advocacy and action (2018)

Church of Scotland General Assembly voted to prohibit corporal punishment (2016)

Christian leaders in the Caribbean support legislation to end corporal punishment of children “Corporal punishment has for too long been a common part of our tradition and culture. Through working with others and honouring children’s right to equal protection under the law, we can put our faith into action and make significant progress towards a less violent society”(2014) towards violence. The factors are interconnected and include structural, political, historical, generational and traditional factors in the communities where children live, learn, work and play. “Multi-Country Study on the Drivers of Change” Unicef 2016 As Christians our primary role model is Jesus Christ... The way of Jesus is non-violence.As Christians our reading of the Bible must always be done through the lens of Christ’s teaching and life. It is inappropriate to take texts out of their ancient cultural context, and out of the broader context of scripture to justify violent punishment of children. Such texts need to be read in the light of the way Christ responded to children, placing them in the middle of the group with respect and care, as in Mark 9:37” This is a moment for our values to shape our laws and the future of our nation. This is a moment to make a positive difference. We believe repeal of section 59 provides an expression of hope, and we wholeheartedly support it.” Ending the legality of violent punishment of children is key towards raising children’s status in society. It is fundamental to creating peaceful, non-violent societies.” As Christians our primary role model is Jesus Christ... The way of Jesus is non-violence.As Christians our reading of the Bible must always be done through the lens of Christ’s teaching and life. It is inappropriate to take texts out of their ancient cultural context, and out of the broader context of scripture to justify violent punishment of children. Such texts need to be read in the light of the way Christ responded to children, placing them in the middle of the group with respect and care, as in Mark 9:37” “Physical punishment of children demeans and devalues children and it should be ruled out. Jesus believed children were not just an asset for the future or a commitment to be undertaken for the sake of society. They were of infinite value as children.” Dr Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales We will be about 25 participants with representatives from Ministries, Ombuds-offices and (I)NGOs. It would be excellent if you can reflect from the point of view of how to engage faith groups in giving constructive messages supporting non-violent childhoods. What evidence and knowledge from behaviour change communication can guide campaigning for non-violent childhoods in relation to faith groups? What are the good examples of engaging faith groups as influential actors in a constructive dialogue? It would be perfect if you could keep a 20 minutes introduction with pp on this issue – and please sort it as you feel works better and according to your experiences. Corporal punishment is manifested differently in every society depending on the power dynamics across gender and age and the multiple factors which affect the status of children and societal tolerance and attitudes towards violence. The factors are interconnected and include structural, political, historical, generational and traditional factors in the communities where children live, learn, work and play. “Multi-Country Study on the Drivers of Change” Unicef 2016 As Christians our primary role model is Jesus Christ... The way of Jesus is non-violence.As Christians our reading of the Bible must always be done through the lens of Christ’s teaching and life. It is inappropriate to take texts out of their ancient cultural context, and out of the broader context of scripture to justify violent punishment of children. Such texts need to be read in the light of the way Christ responded to children, placing them in the middle of the group with respect and care, as in Mark 9:37” This is a moment for our values to shape our laws and the future of our nation. This is a moment to make a positive difference. We believe repeal of section 59 provides an expression of hope, and we wholeheartedly support it.” Ending the legality of violent punishment of children is key towards raising children’s status in society. It is fundamental to creating peaceful, non-violent societies.” As Christians our primary role model is Jesus Christ... The way of Jesus is non-violence.As Christians our reading of the Bible must always be done through the lens of Christ’s teaching and life. It is inappropriate to take texts out of their ancient cultural context, and out of the broader context of scripture to justify violent punishment of children. Such texts need to be read in the light of the way Christ responded to children, placing them in the middle of the group with respect and care, as in Mark 9:37” “Physical punishment of children demeans and devalues children and it should be ruled out. Jesus believed children were not just an asset for the future or a commitment to be undertaken for the sake of society. They were of infinite value as children.” Dr Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales

The religious leaders’ partnership for protecting children from violence and harmful practices Cairo (2016) Al-Azhar University and the Coptic Orthodox Church, Cairo in cooperation with UNICEF launched three publications by religious scholars.

The Islamic perspective on protecting children from violence and harmful practices, prepared by the International Islamic Centre for Population Studies and Research (IICPSR). • The Christian perspective on protecting children from violence and harmful practices, by the Bishopric of Public, Ecumenical and Social Services (BLESS). • Peace, Love, Tolerance - Key Messages from Islam and Christianity on protecting children from violence and harmful practices.

Santa Domingo – prayer breakfast for the prohibition of corporal punishment in the family setting The Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) and the Coalition for Children in the Dominican Republic marked the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children with a prayer breakfast to engage with religious and spiritual leaders. Interreligious declaration: “We reject all forms of violence against children and adolescents, including corporal punishment, and commit to taking the lead in working with other sectors of society and Congress..... to ban corporal punishment of children in all settings.”

Inter-Religious Council of Tanzania (IRCPT) contributes to Multi-Sector National Plan of (2016) IRCPT signed a pledge to end physical punishment of children. The pledge includes: • a commitment to promote children’s rights • building networks to respond to children at risk of violence • providing safe havens for children who have been mistreated • promoting inter-religious cooperation to prevent violence against children • using religious teachings as good examples to influence behavioural change

The EVAC Joint Learning Hub on Faith and Local Communities End Violence Against Children (EVAC) is dedicated to better understanding the role of religion and faith-based actors in protecting children against violence.

Building an evidence base 84 per cent of people are religious – they influence behaviour for better or for worse. They often have more influence and reach than any organisation or state But there is a lack of substantial evidence to indicate the multiple roles that faith-based actors play in preventing and responding to violence against children.

The scoping study – inter-faith approaches • A gender lens to EVAC is central to the process. • Inter-faith collaboration is an important part of strengthening the voices of those who work towards ending violence against children. Children’s voices and perspectives and how they see faith communities contributing to the elimination of violence against children.

Religious leaders demonstrate respect for children during washing of feet ceremony “Physical punishment of children demeans and devalues children and it should be ruled out. Jesus believed children were not just an asset for the future or a commitment to be undertaken for the sake of society. They were of infinite value as children” Dr Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales

Engaging with faith-based communities – campaigning for non-violent childhoods