Values, Human Rights and Religious Education: Contested Grounds

This volume explores the challenges and opportunities in values education, religious education, and human rights education, presenting twenty-one key contributions from a global perspective.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 396 pages
Publication date: 27 November 2018
Publisher: Peter Lang International Academic Publishers

This comprehensive volume addresses three critical and contentious domains that educationalists encounter within schools, colleges, and universities: values education, religious education, and human rights education. By fostering a dynamic dialogue between these three areas, we aim to shed light on the challenges and opportunities they present.

The International Seminar on Religious Education and Values, a renowned international association dedicated to religious educators and values educators, played a pivotal role in exploring these core constructs. The seminar brought together a diverse group of experts from various religious and secular traditions, fostering a rich exchange of ideas.

This volume presents a collection of twenty-one insightful contributions made during the seminar, encompassing both conceptual and empirical perspectives. These contributions are rooted in both religious and secular traditions, offering a unique international perspective on the interrelated themes of values, human rights, and religious education.

Values education plays a crucial role in shaping individuals and societies by promoting ethical and moral principles. It encompasses the cultivation of virtues such as empathy, respect, and integrity, which are essential for building harmonious relationships and fostering social cohesion. Religious education, on the other hand, provides a framework for understanding and interpreting religious beliefs, values, and practices. It helps individuals develop a deeper understanding of their own faith and promotes interfaith dialogue and understanding. Human rights education, meanwhile, aims to empower individuals with knowledge and skills to advocate for their rights and promote social justice. It encompasses the recognition of human dignity, the abolition of discrimination, and the protection of fundamental freedoms.

The contributions in this volume explore a wide range of topics, including the role of values education in promoting social cohesion, the challenges of integrating religious education in secular contexts, and the impact of human rights education on promoting gender equality. They also address the ethical implications of religious and secular education, the role of teachers in fostering values education, and the role of parents and communities in supporting human rights education.

By bringing these three areas into creative dialogue, we hope to contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between values, human rights, and religious education. We aim to inspire educators, policymakers, and individuals to work towards creating inclusive and equitable educational environments that promote the development of well-rounded individuals who are committed to promoting justice, peace, and social harmony.

In conclusion, this comprehensive volume offers a valuable resource for educators, policymakers, and individuals interested in exploring the interrelated themes of values, human rights, and religious education. It provides a rich collection of insights and perspectives, fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities that these areas present. By engaging in a dynamic dialogue and promoting collaboration, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable world that values the diversity of its cultures and traditions.

Introduction:
Education plays a vital role in shaping individuals and societies, and the domains of values education, religious education, and human rights education are particularly significant in this regard. These areas encompass fundamental aspects of human development and are intertwined with each other, presenting both challenges and opportunities for educationalists.

In this comprehensive volume, we bring together three key and contested areas facing educationalists within schools, colleges, and universities: values education, religious education, and human rights education. By fostering a dynamic dialogue between these three areas, we aim to shed light on the challenges and opportunities they present.

Values Education:
Values education is a fundamental aspect of education that focuses on the cultivation of ethical and moral principles. It involves the development of a sense of responsibility, empathy, respect, and integrity among individuals, which are essential for building harmonious relationships and fostering social cohesion. Values education promotes the understanding and appreciation of different cultures, religions, and beliefs, while also promoting tolerance and respect for diversity.

However, challenges arise in the implementation of values education. One of the primary challenges is the need to balance the promotion of individual values with the broader societal values and norms. This requires educators to be sensitive to the cultural and religious backgrounds of their students and to create an inclusive learning environment that promotes respect and understanding.

Another challenge is the increasing secularization of society, which has led to a decline in religious participation and a questioning of traditional values. Educators must navigate this complex landscape and find ways to integrate religious education into secular contexts while maintaining its integrity and relevance.

Despite these challenges, values education remains an important tool for promoting social justice, peace, and human rights. By promoting the values of empathy, respect, and integrity, educators can help individuals develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become responsible citizens who can contribute positively to their communities.

Religious Education:
Religious education is another critical area that educationalists encounter within schools, colleges, and universities. It involves the study and understanding of religious beliefs, values, and practices, as well as the promotion of interfaith dialogue and understanding. Religious education plays a significant role in promoting cultural diversity and tolerance, as it provides students with an opportunity to learn about the beliefs and practices of different religions.

However, challenges arise in the implementation of religious education. One of the primary challenges is the need to balance the promotion of religious diversity with the protection of religious freedom. This requires educators to be sensitive to the religious beliefs and practices of their students and to create an inclusive learning environment that respects and respects the diversity of religious beliefs.

Another challenge is the increasing secularization of society, which has led to a decline in religious participation and a questioning of traditional religious values. Educators must navigate this complex landscape and find ways to integrate religious education into secular contexts while maintaining its integrity and relevance.

Despite these challenges, religious education remains an important tool for promoting social justice, peace, and human rights. By promoting the values of tolerance, respect, and understanding, educators can help individuals develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become responsible citizens who can contribute positively to their communities.

Human Rights Education:
Human rights education is a third critical area that educationalists encounter within schools, colleges, and universities. It involves the promotion of human rights and the understanding of the responsibilities that individuals and societies have in upholding these rights. Human rights education promotes the recognition of human dignity, the abolition of discrimination, and the protection of fundamental freedoms.

However, challenges arise in the implementation of human rights education. One of the primary challenges is the need to balance the promotion of human rights with the protection of individual rights. This requires educators to be sensitive to the cultural and religious backgrounds of their students and to create an inclusive learning environment that promotes respect and understanding.

Another challenge is the increasing globalization of society, which has led to the spread of human rights violations and the exploitation of human rights. Educators must navigate this complex landscape and find ways to promote human rights education globally while also addressing the specific needs and challenges of different regions and communities.

Despite these challenges, human rights education remains an important tool for promoting social justice, peace, and human rights. By promoting the values of human dignity, equality, and respect, educators can help individuals develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become responsible citizens who can contribute positively to their communities.

In conclusion, this comprehensive volume addresses three critical and contested areas facing educationalists within schools, colleges, and universities: values education, religious education, and human rights education. By fostering a dynamic dialogue between these three areas, we aim to shed light on the challenges and opportunities they present. Values education promotes the cultivation of ethical and moral principles, while religious education provides a framework for understanding and interpreting religious beliefs, values, and practices. Human rights education promotes the recognition of human dignity, the abolition of discrimination, and the protection of fundamental freedoms. By working together, educators can create inclusive and equitable educational environments that promote the development of well-rounded individuals who are committed to promoting justice, peace, and social harmony.

Weight: 556g
Dimension: 151 x 225 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788745253
Edition number: New ed