Flexible Interfaith Education Programme
| Published: 8th March 2007 00:03 |
People active in Hillingdon's many communities will come together for the seven week Flexible Interfaith Education Programme, developing skills to bring together people from Christian, Jewish, Muslim and other faith communities. The aim is to build trust and reduce conflict in our multi-religious and multi-cultural society.
The programme, which includes e-learning and two seminars, is being piloted in London, Birmingham, Newcastle and Manchester and will develop participants' skills for improving their work, home and faith communities by applying a deeper understanding of interfaith issues. Hillingdon, the only London borough to pilot a programme, was chosen for its diverse population and the positive impact a programme could bring in supporting work with local faith communities, including developing Hillingdon's Interfaith Network and an ongoing activities programme delivered by the local branch of the Council of Christians and Jews.
Members from a cross section of Hillingdon's cultural, religious and professional groups including police, teachers, clergy, local government and members of different faith communities will develop their skills in interfaith dialogue. The participants will improve their understanding of encounters between the various faiths and dealing with difference in their community.
Trisha Kessler, who organised the programme for the Centre for the Study of Jewish Christian Relations, the Centre for the Study of Muslim Jewish Relations and the Council of Christians and Jews using Home Office funding says, "FIEP consists of educational courses which promote a sense of shared citizenship, tolerance and respect. By bringing together a diverse group from the community, they contribute to a greater understanding of and sensitivity to relations between the various faiths, which are essential in forming an identity as a citizen of the UK."
Duncan Struthers Chair of Hillingdon SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education) states: "This is a unique opportunity to bring people together from a range of professions and communities to explore the complexities of faith and understanding through dialogue and shared learning".
The programme is supported by the Connecting Communities Team at Hillingdon Council and Hillingdon SACRE, a statutory body for developing and promoting the religious education curriculum for schools. Both teams are working with members of many local faith communities to develop the Hillingdon Interfaith Network.
The programme starts on Tuesday 13 February and is open to all. Limited places are still available. To register or for more information about the Flexible Interfaith Education Programme, please call the Centre for the Study of Jewish-Christian Relations on 01223 742352 or visit www.cjcr.cam.ac.uk Contact Hillingdon's Connecting Communities team on 01895 277035 to find about more about Hillingdon's Interfaith Network.
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