wfn.org | [WCC] Worldwide Survey Launched on Interfaith Education

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Worldwide Survey Launched on Interfaith Education

News Release

For immediate release

HARTFORD, CT (October 19, 2005) -- Learning about, from and with peoples of 
other faiths is increasingly being recognized as a vital aspect of 
education in faith communities and education systems.  A newly launched 
web-based survey on interfaith education aims to discover examples of good 
practice across the world.

The World Council of Churches' Education and Ecumenical Formation program 
and Hartford Seminary, USA, have created the interactive survey on 
interfaith education to catalogue what is taking place in international 
communities.  The survey is part of the larger Interfaith Education Project 
(IEP) sponsored by the two organizations.

Taking seriously the diversity of religious faith and practice to build 
positive understanding and attitudes, the IEP is a contribution to 
reflection and action on education in the ecumenical movement. The project 
has two objectives - (1) to survey and analyze the global field of 
interfaith education; (2) to produce a resource based on the results of 
that survey which would assist educators in faith communities and education 
systems develop interfaith education appropriate to their context.

Project Coordinator Christy Lohr said, "The IEP is a noteworthy endeavor 
that recognizes the importance of religious diversity around us today.	The 
launch of the survey is really exciting as it provides a means for 
individuals from around the world to be involved and provide input on ways 
to shape future resources to support educational outreach."

Ms. Lohr, along with Heidi Hadsell, president of Hartford Seminary and 
members of the EEF Commission, will discuss initial findings of the survey 
in a workshop during the World Council of Church's 9th Assembly in Porto 
Alegre, Brazil, in February.

Both Hartford Seminary and the World Council of Churches have a long 
history in fostering quality interfaith relations.  Hartford Seminary is a 
non-denominational graduate-level theological educational institution that 
is committed the understanding of religion and spirituality as they are 
played lived out in today's multifaith world.  With a strong program in 
Christian-Muslim relations, it is also the only Christian seminary in the 
United States to offer an Islamic chaplaincy certification.

The WCC brings together more than 340 churches, denominations and church 
fellowships in more than 100 countries and territories throughout the 
world, representing 400 million Christians and including most of the 
world's Orthodox churches and denominations.
If you are someone who is actively involved in interfaith endeavors, the 
World Council of Churches and Hartford Seminary invite you to share the 
good news of your work. Please fill out the survey by logging onto 
http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB224NRA5G9EM.

For more information, please visit 
http://www.hartsem.edu/events/news_HSWCCprogram.htm
or contact Christy Lohr, christylohr@hartsem.edu.