LLinE Lifelong Learning in Europe

Orientation 4/2007

THE REAL MULTI-RELIGIOUS EUROPE

Robert Jackson
STUDY OF RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY: A CHALLENGE FOR ADULT EDUCATION
After September 11, 2001 there was a policy shift within international and European inter-governmental institutions towards advocating the study of religions in European publicly funded educational institutions. In translating policy into practice, issues of representation, interpretation and reflexivity might be addressed in studying religious diversity within contemporary societies in ways which both avoid stereotyping and engage students’ interest. Specialists in adult education and specialists in the study of religions, and learners themselves could work together to develop new approaches to lifelong learning about religions.

LLinE Profile: Navid Kermani
OTHERS GIVE US LABELS – BUT WE ARE MORE THAN THAT
Religion is as good or as bad as people themselves. The German and Iranian Navid Kermani has for a long time in many ways and many forums advocated an open look at the relation between the religions, cultures and people representing them, here in the diversity of Europe. The attitudes and actions of the majority in a country seem to determine the reactions of the minorities.

WHAT IS ADULT EDUCATION DOING

Robin Sclafani and Katy Nicholson
JEWISH ORGANISATION DEVELOPS TOOLS FOR MULTICULTURAL DIALOGUE
CEJI has extended its activities from representing the Jewish community to promoting a democratic, diverse, inclusive and integrated Europe to guarantee the peaceful coexistence of people. It networks with a broad range of NGOs to develop tools for educators of adults and especially young people whose educators often are peer groups.

Bert Kuipers
LIFELONG LEARNING IN THE PROTESTANT CHURCHES OF EUROPE
Education is possibly the most fundamental feature of Protestantism in all its diverse forms. It was from the beginning the way people were made to think themselves – and choose for themselves. It has continued in the Protestant churches with slightly different orientations, but always as one important way of work.

Petra Herre
PROTESTANT ADULT EDUCATION LOOKS FOR NEW USER GROUPS
THE CATHOLIC FEECA WORKS IN MANY COUNTRIES
The Protestant adult education work looks to the future with open eyes and sees challenges in attracting new target groups into its provision – it sees that the methods and topics have to be reorientated towards the younger generations.
The statement of the umbrella organisation of the Catholic adult education gives a covering vision of their mission in lifelong learning.

Christian Geiselmann
PERSPECTIVES ON LIFELONG LEARNING AND RELIGION IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
The still difficult situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is focused on the religious division, though the real roots may be elsewhere. This makes cooperation and alleviation of tensions more difficult. The pronounced independence of the parts of the country amount to having separately managed schools in one building. There is a long road to an easygoing society. NGOs are creating tools for people to see a more holistic picture of their history, both ancient and recent and their present world.

Gabriela Ruppin
JEWISH RELIGIOUS AND SECULAR EDUCATION IN LEO BAECK COLLEGE

Ibrahim Darwish-Mohammed
THE MUSLIM COLLEGE IN BRITAIN
The often state-supported Christian churches have a developed system to educate their people. The Jews and the Muslims have created their own. They both need a college of higher, analytical and critical education, and for educating the lay leaders and educators (rabbis, mullahs) inside the church. Both declare their goals for peaceful and an intellectual and open approach respecting diversity of opinion.

Nina Litvinova and Olga Gordina
FROM MOSCOW TO IRKUTSK – ADULT LEARNERS’ WEEK ON TRAIN
The Russian Adult Learners Week took the group to the railroad side towns and cities on the way from Moscow to Irkutsk. In Irkutsk they helped the local activists find and articulate the different forms of existing adult education and lifelong learning.

THE EU PRESIDENCY: SLOVENIAN ADULT EDUCATION

LLinE wishes to introduce the adult education scene in the country which is to take the Presidency of the European Union for the next six months. The Slovenians are proud of the progress during the past over 15 years, but see also challenges even in surprising areas like adult literacy. The very strong tradition in adult education research and the good cooperation between research and practice with active and creative personalities have given Slovenia a special place in European adult education.

Slavica Černoša and Elido Bandelj
SLOVENIAN ADULT EDUCATION IN THE CONTEXT OF LIFELONG LEARNING

Nevenka Bogataj
WALTZ IN S MINOR – NON-FORMAL LEARNING

Sonja Klemenčič and Tanja Možina
CARE FOR QUALITY IN ADULT EDUCATION IN SLOVENIA

Ana Ileršič
“I WOULD NEVER HAVE REALISED WHAT I'M CAPABLE OF ACHIEVING”. SIAE'S WORK ON LITERACY

Zvonka Pangerc Pahernik
THROUGH CELEBRATION TOWARDS INCREASED PARTICIPATION AND NEW PARTNERSHIPS