NZ Diversity Forum 2007: Discussion Forum on Religion and Schools
This Forum is being held at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell, Auckland
Hosted by the Auckland City Council, the Victoria University Religious Studies Programme and the Human Rights Commission, as part of the New Zealand Diversity Forum.
You are warmly invited to a discussion forum on Monday 27 August on Religion and Schools. The forum will provide a meeting point for faith and interfaith groups, parents, teachers, school trustees, and education policy makers. The issue is topical because:
The 2006 census revealed the increasing religious diversity of New Zealanders, with significant increases in the number of Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs, and also in the number of people who profess no religion.
The recently completed Statement on Religious diversity calls for schools to teach an understanding of different religious and spiritual traditions in a manner that reflects the diversity of their national and local community.
New Zealand delegates to the Asia Pacific Interfaith Dialogue at Waitangi in May called for the new school curriculum to include provision for education about diverse religions as well as diverse cultures, and for a subsequent more detailed curriculum statement and supporting educational resources. They urged Government, Ministry of Education, teachers, Boards of Trustees and faith communities to participate in this forum on Religion in Schools to advance the discussion.
Provisions relating to religious instruction and observance in schools have been the subject of complaints to the Human Rights Commission and the Commission is developing advice for Boards of Trustees on the subject.
The programme will consist of:
An introduction by Professor Paul Morris, Professor of Religious Studies at Victoria University and principal author of the Statement on Religious Diversity
A panel discussion on teaching about religion and the new curriculum, introduced by Secretary for Education Karen Sewell with commentators representing religious and state schools on teaching about religion and the new curriculum
A panel discussion oneligious instruction and observance in schools, introduced by Auckland University Law Professor Paul Rishworth and Human Rights Commission Principal Policy Analyst Sylvia Bell, with commentators representing the School Trustees Association and teachers.
Other events of interest to faith communities and to the education community are an interfaith service and social event at Holy Trinity Cathedral on Sunday evening 26 August at 7.30 pm hosted by Auckland City Council and the Auckland Interfaith Council, a forum on teaching about diversity and global citizenship hosted by the Global Education Centre on Monday morning, and other Diversity Forum events.
The New Zealand Diversity Forum and associated events run from 25 August to 28 August, culminating in a plenary session. For more information go to: www.hrc.co.nz/diversityforum
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