Griffith University

Brief Description/History

As a faith based educational organisation, EREA has been continually interested in the spiritual development of young people and how this sustains them to be people of justice and peace in the world. The events of the early part of the 21st Century reaffirmed the need to undertake an education that is open the minds and hearts of students to the reality of the world and the need to work together across cultures and faiths. Edmund Rice Education Australia aims to transform the minds and hearts of young Australians to build a more just, tolerant and inclusive community.

As a faith based educational organisation, EREA has been continually interested in the spiritual development of young people and how this sustains them to be people of justice and peace in the world. The events of the early part of the 21st Century reaffirmed the need to undertake an education that is open the minds and hearts of students to the reality of the world and the need to work together across cultures and faiths.

At the heart of the educational philosophy of EREA is an “Education for Liberation” – both personal and societal liberation. The values underpinning this are global solidarity, compassion, a preferential option for the poor, stewardship, service of others, community and reflective practice. These values call us to inter-faith dialogue through entering into life-giving relationships with others for the purpose of creating a better world for all people.

Helping factors in facilitating the success of these interfaith dialogue activities
As a school system, connecting with the wider community has been the most important strategy to strengthen a commitment to interfaith dialogue activities. A relationship with the Multi-Faith Centre (Griffith University) has enabled a deepening of this commitment and has provided the support to try new and innovative programs. 
These activities have always been positive and life-giving for all involved.

Future plans or proposals for promoting interfaith dialogue.
EREA Future plans for promoting interfaith dialogue include:

• A more systematic approach to forming school leaders in interfaith dialogue
• Peace Camps that bring students from different faith traditions together for dialogue, solidarity and service to the community.

What needs to be done by diverse faith communities, institutions and organizations to enhance the progress of interfaith dialogue in Queensland, in Australia, and/or internationally.
In order to promote interfaith dialogue in Queensland and in Australia, there is a need for the education sector to more explicitly support this approach through professional development, formation, resourcing and highlighting of best practice. 

Activities

EREA has initiated and been part of a number of activities and programs that have sought to strengthen the commitment of schools to interfaith dialogue. These have included:

• Professional development of key teachers to enhance their knowledge, skills and attitudes of interfaith dialogue as an approach to building a culture of peace.
• Publication and highlighting of resources to assist teachers to implement interfaith activities into teaching and learning practice
• Reconciliation learning programs with Indigenous communities
• Service and solidarity programs to other cultures where students explore with partners interfaith issues and peace building issues (South Africa, Timor Leste and the Philippines)
• Panels of interfaith leaders dialoguing with students about core beliefs and outreach work
• Infusion of justice and peace themes across key learning areas in the curriculum
• Ongoing opportunities for students to deepen their own understanding of faith and spiritual practices

PHOTOS