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Religion in Peace and Con in Peace Religion Un and Interfaith Intercultural for Values Shared Education for Proceedings of the International Congresses of Education for Shared Values for Intercultural and Interfaith Understanding 28 November - 3 December 2004 fl ict: Responding to Militancy and Fundamentalism ict: Responding University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia Religion in Peace and Confl ict: Responding to Militancy and Fundamentalism 12 - 14 April 2005 Outlook International, Melbourne, Australia derstanding Outlook International, Melbourne, Australia 2005 Melbourne, Australia Outlook International, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia 2004 of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia University United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Division for the Promotion of Quality Education Division of Cultural Policies Division of Cultural Policies and Intercultural Dialogue and Intercultural Dialogue Interreligious Dialogue Programme Interreligious Dialogue Programme UNESCO - 1, rue Miollis, 75732 Paris Cedex France http:// www.unesco.org/culture/interreligious NGO Outlook International Compiled by Ms Joy De Leo Mr John Baldock Edited by Ms Cécile Parry Ms Paola Miranda L Education for Shared Values for Intercultural and Interfaith Understanding Education Towards Preventing Extremism and Terrorism Curriculum Design: Innovative and Effective Strategies 28 November - 3 December 2004 University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia Religion in Peace and Conflict: Responding to Militancy and Fundamentalism 12 - 14 April 2005 Outlook International, Melbourne, Australia The authors are responsible for the choice and the presentation of the facts contained in this book and for the opinions expressed therein, which are not necessarily those of UNESCO and do not commit the Organization. The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Published in 2005 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 7, Place de Fontenoy, 75352 PARIS 07 SP Composed and printed in the workshops of UNESCO © UNESCO 2005 Printed in France CLT-2005/WS/11 CLD 22742 Education for Shared Values for Intercultural and Interfaith Understanding Education Towards Preventing Extremism and Terrorism Curriculum Design: Innovative and Effective Strategies 28 November - 3 December 2004 University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia Message from Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, for the Conference on Education for Shared Values for Intercultural and Interfaith Understanding We live in difficult times when peace and human security are facing new challenges that could have very negative implications if we do not address them positively. Consequently, the theme of your conference “Education for Shared Values for Intercultural and Interfaith Understanding” could not be more relevant or timely. The outcomes of your meeting should be extremely helpful to UNESCO and its many partners as they address the threats posed by terrorism, fanaticism and intolerance. Education is a key dimension of the long-term process of building peace, tolerance, justice and intercultural understanding. However, the fact that there are increased tensions and growing insecurity in the world today requires us to acknowledge that education, as practised in schools, families and communi- ties, often does not contribute as it should to the promotion of mutual under- standing and civic responsibility. In these circumstances, the need to re-orient education so that it can help to create a better world is truly urgent. Your focus on content and curriculum, values, teaching and learning, and supportive learning environments is consistent with UNESCO’s vision of a holistic approach to quality. Moreover, your choice of culture and faith as key areas on which to build understanding through dialogue gets to the heart of the matter. The results of this conference, and its direct linkages with the Asso- ciated Schools Project Network in your region, will support efforts to mould education so that it becomes more conducive to the development of world citizens, proud of their identities and able to contribute to a sustainable and peaceful future for the world’s peoples. Please accept my best wishes for a constructive and productive confer- ence. Koïchiro Matsuura Message from the HON Alexander Downer MP Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs I am pleased to support this important UNESCO conference. The values of tolerance, universality, mutual understanding, respect for cultural diversity and the promotion of a culture of peace are central to UNESCO’s mission. Now more than ever, the threat of terrorism around the world and in our region has brought home to everybody the need to work tirelessly towards the goal of enhancing peace, security and tolerance. UNESCO is taking a leading role in this endeavour and its initiatives in education, including this conference, are to be commended. The main con- ference theme – strengthening values education - is important and topical. It will provide educators with practical tools to promote intercultural and inter- faith understanding through innovative curriculum and teaching approaches. It demonstrates also Australia’s commitment to working towards enhanced cul- tural diversity, peace and environmental stewardship. Australia is a culturally diverse society, tolerant and inclusive, a nation built by people from many different backgrounds and many faiths. Our people- to-people links play a pivotal role in increasing mutual understanding of each other’s culture and communities, and form part of Australia’s bilateral relation- ships in the region. These bridges of understanding need to be strengthened as we work together internationally to confront a terrorist threat that seeks to foment hostility between cultures and faiths. I congratulate the Australian National Commission for UNESCO and its partner agencies for bringing such a distinguished group together for this con- ference. I would like to welcome to Australia the eminent educators, commu- nity and faith leaders and others who have travelled from all around the region to participate. Please accept my best wishes for a constructive and productive conference. The Hon Alexander Downer MP Minister for Foreign Affairs Message from Mr Mike Rann Premier of South Australia Welcome, delegates – and especially our overseas guests – to Adelaide. We in South Australia are delighted to be hosting the Education for Shared Values for Intercultural and Interfaith Understanding conference, and my Government is honoured to be taking part. I am very impressed with the conference program. The breadth and cali- bre of your speakers are outstanding, and you have set down for discussion some of the most urgent and critical issues facing the world in 2004. War and global terrorism have dominated international affairs over the past three years, and much of this conflict can be sourced back to ignorance and intolerance of one another’s cultures and faith. In this environment, it is critical that we reinforce the universal value of education as a means of fostering understanding and harmony. Clearly, all of us – not just educators and students – have a role to play in this task. South Australia is a richly multicultural society, and we have long been considered an open, tolerant and socially progressive place to visit and live. My Government believes that this ethos does not simply develop of its own accord and persist without effort. It needs to be kept in good repair. And it needs to be discussed, explained and encouraged – especially among our young people. As part of a historically progressive education system in South Australia, the Government has in place a Human Rights Education Program (HREP) for primary and secondary school students. This is complemented by a human rights professional development pro- gram for teachers and early childhood educators. I am especially pleased that a number of Adelaide schools taking part in HREP will be hosting conference guests. We have learned a great deal through these programs, and we are happy to share our knowledge with visitors. Most all, however, we in South Australia are really looking forward to learning from Education for Shared Values. We see it as a superb opportunity to gain valuable insights from some of the world’s leading figures in the field and – as a result – to practically improve the standard of our own education. I am confident this conference will help us identify common human values and inculcate them among those who represent our strongest hope for the future – our young people. I hope the conference proves rewarding and stimulating, and that you have a wonderful time in South Australia. Mike Rann Premier of South Australia Message from Professor Ken Wiltshire AO Chairperson of the Australian National Commis- sion for UNESCO We are delighted to join with the UNESCO National Commissions of the Asia-Pacific region in hosting this very timely event. Ours is a region with a rich mosaic of cultural diversity, symbols, and beliefs, and we look forward to a fruitful dialogue on the important themes we will be addressing. In our turbulent world it is clear that we need to deepen our understand- ing about each other’s culture and faith in order to develop a consensus around shared values.