Inter belief dialogue in contemporary Ireland seminar

Mary Immaculate College will host a one day seminar, with Inter belief Dialogue in Contemporary Ireland as its theme, in the Lime Tree Theatre on Wednesday, February 17, 2016. Inter belief dialogue in contemporary Ireland seminar

Organised in collaboration with the Anna Lindh Foundation, Chester Beatty Library, Dublin Interfaith Forum with support from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) the Inter belief dialogue in contemporary Ireland seminar will host participants from a host of faith groups and belief traditions including  members of the Mid-West Interfaith Network, Kilkenny Interfaith Friendship Group, SARI Sport Against Racism in Ireland, the Glencree Peace and Reconciliation Centre, Doras Luimni and community members from Direct Provision Centres amongst others.

Keynote speakers include internationally acclaimed academic from the University of Warwick Dr Julia Ipgrave who has pioneered a dialogical approach to educating children about beliefs; Etan Blass from the London Interfaith Group; Patrick Sullivan from the NCCA who is overseeing the design of the new Education about Religions and Beliefs and Ethics Curriculum for Primary Schools in Ireland; Jo-Anne Sunderland Bowe from the British Museum, British Library and Jenny Siung, from the Chester Beatty Library. In addition Shaykh Dr. Umar Al Quadri, Chair of the Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council; Tomi Reichental, Holocaust Survivor, writer and peace activist, Bishop of Limerick, Bishop Brendan Leahy;  Sr. Mary O’Sullivan from The Centre for Dialogue and Prayer in Oswiecim and Dr James Carr from UL will all address the Inter belief dialogue in contemporary Ireland seminar.

According to one of the organisers Dr Patricia Kieran, Religious Education Lecturer at MIC, the purpose of the seminar is to highlight the importance and relevance of religious and personal beliefs in everyday life. “This one day event will offer everybody present an opportunity to communicate with those from a variety of belief traditions in an open, respectful, and mutually enriching manner; to engage in inter-belief dialogue at a variety of levels and in a variety of ways”, stated Dr Kieran.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

Dr. Kieran then went on to say that it is hoped that the seminar will encourage people to understand and appreciate the variety of perspectives that individuals of different faiths and personal convictions hold.

The Inter belief dialogue in contemporary Ireland seminar will also explore how the Irish educational system might support inter-belief dialogue among children in schools and will be used as an opportune occasion by the NCCA to engage in dialogue and consult with the public and diverse religious and belief groups as part of their national consultation process on education about religions, beliefs and ethics in Ireland.

This Inter belief dialogue in contemporary Ireland seminar, which is free and open to the public, will also include workshops, music from the Sikh and Christian traditions and an exhibition of the art work of Nhono Tambidila, Founder of Congolese Women in Ireland.

The Inter belief Dialogue in Contemporary Ireland seminar will take place on Wednesday February 17 at 10am in the Lime Tree Theatre, Mary Immaculate College.

Although it is a free event, booking is required. Booking can be done online. All are welcome!

To read more stories about Mary Immaculate College click here.

Visit the Lime Tree Theatre website here .