CEJI Launches Religious Diversity Training

Derby, UK, 25-31 October 2006

Contact:

Robin Sclafani, CEJI Deputy Director

+32-2-344-3444
robin.sclafani@ceji.org

CEJI A Jewish Contribution to an Inclusive Europe, is launching a European

Adult Education programme on Religious Diversity and Anti-Discrimination.
Hosted by the Multi-Faith Centre at the University of Derby, this first training is the
product of cooperation between partners from six European countries and the European
Union.
The Mayor of Derby, Councillor John Ahern, will award certificates to the participants
at a reception in the Derby Council House. Local religious leaders will also attend the
ceremony, which will take place on Monday, October 30th, at 19:00 (7 pm).

With CEJI as its lead partner, the programme aims to address diversity and discrimination
issues related to religion, with subject-specific modules on anti-Semitism and
Islamophobia. The programme will raise participants consciousness of individual
religious identity and enable them to develop an appreciation for the complexity and
richness of religious diversity. As such, the programme will provide trained adult
educators where religious diversity and discrimination is a concern.
Open to people of all senses of religious and non-religious belonging, this innovative
project will use methods that have proven effective in dealing with prejudice and
discrimination in general. The methodology is highly interactive and participatory,
building on participants experiences to address practical situations.
Important steps in the programme include tools for educators to:
Recognize and respect multicultural and religious diversity
Confront prejudice and discrimination, and
Develop intercultural skills
The programme was created through a partnership, reflecting its European focus. They
include:
CEJI A Jewish Contribution to an Inclusive Europe (Belgium)
Multi-Faith Centre at the University of Derby (UK)
Scarman Trust (UK)
Institute for International Cooperation of the German Adult Education Association
Partners Bulgaria Foundation
Islamic-Christian Study Centre (Denmark)

Ligue de lEnseignement (France)

The programme is supported by the Gundtvig Programme of the European Commission

and the Ford Foundation.

Future courses will take place in January 2007 in Sofia, Bulgaria, and in June 2007 in
Rome, Italy. They are open to adult educators from throughout Europe.

CEJI a Jewish Contribution to an Inclusive Europe educates youth, adults and

public organizations through ever-growing networks. Its aim is to promote a Europe of
diversity and to combat prejudice through training, education and political action. A
Jewish voice at the European level, CEJI stands with Europeans of all religions, cultures
and backgrounds to combat prejudice and discrimination.