AULRE (Association of University Lecturers in Religion and Education) Conference
‘Religion, Education and Dialogue’
Current issues concerning religion, education and dialogue were discussed at the University of Exeter by academics from the UK, Australia, Canada and the USA. The annual conference for the Association of University Lecturers in Religion and Education (AULRE) was hosted by Dr Karen Aylward and Dr Rob Freathy. Conference presentations focused on issues concerning community cohesion, inter-faith dialogue, and the relationship between religion and spirituality. Many presenters addressed key questions, such as:
- How can people of different religions live and work together in a multi-faith society?
- How can schools best prepare children to encounter people from different religious and cultural backgrounds?
- Which model of religious education is most appropriate in today’s world?
- Can the principles of inter-faith dialogue be applied in faith schools and religious education classrooms?
- Is it possible to hold onto one’s own beliefs whilst at the same time genuinely engaging with the beliefs of others?
The conference was opened by Annika Small, Director of Education for the Tony Blair Faith Foundation which has recently launched its ‘Face to Faith’ global education programme. This helps schools prepare children to talk to each other about their cultural identities and beliefs. Keynote speakers included Professor Robert Jackson, University of Warwick and Professor Andrew Wright, King’s College, London.
This is the first time that the annual AULRE conference has been held at the University of Exeter. Holding the conference reflects the expertise and research profile of Spirituality, Religion and Education research group within the Graduate School of Education.
For further information about the Association of University Lecturers in Religious Education please see their website:
The International Seminar on Religious Education and Values (ISREV) held their AGM as part of the conference. For further details please see their website at:
Documents
- AULRE 2009 Registration Form (doc, 65kb, 05/05/09)