About the conference:
Religion has returned forcefully both as a subject of academic debate, as a lived reality in contemporary societies and as a renewed challenge for secular systems of governance. The Conference will examine the relationships between “Law, Religion and Education”, addressing the accommodation of religious diversity as well as the content and meaning of education, notably religious education, in a human rights context.

The topic addressed and examined over two days is full of tensions and complex issues. It is also extremely newsworthy. In the Lautsi case at the European Court of Human Rights it was recently held that the presence of crucifixes the classroom at State schools was contrary to the State’s duty of neutrality and violated the plaintiff’s right to freedom of religion under Article 9 of
the Convention.

In  a  comparative  and  multidisciplinary  perspective,  this  extremely  timely  project  will  study  the  key  concepts  of  laïcité, discrimination and religious freedom; it will present the different models of religious regulation adopted in Europe, and different models of Church-State relations. General sessions will be followed by case studies targeting topical and controversial issues raised in various European jurisdictions under three different headings: defining religious beliefs, defining teaching content and religious symbols.

Who should attend?
The conference will be attended by academics, legal practitioners, NGOs and policy advocates in the fields of law, religion and education. This conference is directly relevant to legislators and policy makers given ongoing discussion on bills before the French and British parliaments.

Conference venue:
Maison Française d’Oxford, 2-10 Norham Road, Oxford OX2 6SE

View the programme and booking form here.

More information:
Maria Keeley               UCL Faculty of Laws
Direct telephone:         +44 (0)20 7679 1478
Direct fax:                   +44 (0)20 7679 1424
Email:                        m.keeley@ucl.ac.uk