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

John Keast, Athens, 8 October 2007

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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


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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


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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


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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


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Education also part of solution

Neither quick nor easy

Diverse cultural and educational issues

Variety of European historical & educational contexts


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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


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Reference Book Contents Theoretical

Pedagogical

Practical- Whole school issues

- Examples of current practice


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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


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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


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

Plurality and pluralism

Culture, race, nationality

Multiculturalism, stereotyping


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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


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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


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Reference Book - Part 3: whole school issues

Ethos Governance and management School life and activities Curriculum


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

Reflect on own practice Develop own practice

further


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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?

??


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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


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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”


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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...

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