Workshop outline:
The workshop focuses on the significance of values (religious as well as non-religious) within school communities shaped by (increasing) socio-cultural diversity. The topic will be approached from different perspectives - mainly related to practice through workshops with experienced trainers from a broad variety of institutions.

The following questions shall guide the workshop:
 
How can one connect the very individual focus on identity to the broad context/macro level of
school culture? In what ways can teachers deal constructively with a plurality of values among
pupils, colleagues and the school community as a whole? How can teachers and the school
community support pupils in their individual values development process? What values (of a
school’s culture) should be the basis of intercultural learning at school in connection with
citizenship education? How to become aware of and how to develop a school community and a
school profile?
 
How can schools contribute to the education of responsible democratic citizens sensitive to
socio-cultural diversity and be capable of intercultural dialogue? Why is religious education or
the study on religions linked to citizenship education? What does the study of religion have to
do with a dialogue and agreement upon common values?
 
During the workshop, a special focus will be given to the instrument of dialogue, which forms a potential basis for the democratic development process of a school’s culture or ethos.

The workshop is a joint cooperation between Council of Europe, the University College of Teacher Education in Upper Austria, Private University College of Teacher Education of the Diocese of Linz, Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, Arts and Culture, and the European Wergeland Centre.

Prof. Robert Jackson and Dr. Claudia Lenz from the European Wergeland Centre will contribute to the workshop by presenting the findings of a European comparative research project: Religion in Education. A contribution to Dialogue or a factor of Conflict in transforming societies of European Countries (REDCo).

REDCo explored young people’s views of religion, religious diversity and possibilities for dialogue, as well as of classroom interaction and teacher-strategies.

Click here to view more detailed information and the workshop's draft program. If you are interested in joining the workshop, please apply via your National Liaison Officer.