Can Freedom of Religion and Belief Promote Sustainable Development? Inclusive Education Systems in Focus

GIGA Talk in cooperation with the Federal Government Commissioner for Global Freedom of Religion

Education, sustainable development, and freedom of religion or belief are closely interrelated, yet this has been little studied to date. On the one hand, education should promote plurality, respect, and tolerance between members of different religions or worldviews. This is done, for example, through education and encounters that reduce discrimination, stereotypes, and prejudices pertaining to a person’s religion. On the other hand, education systems can also endanger the human right to freedom of religion or belief. This is the case, for example, when access to education systems is restricted because of religious affiliation, when curricula and educational materials lead to the dominance of certain religious beliefs, or when a particular religious education is even mandatory for all schoolchildren.  

• How can the human right to freedom of religion or belief be strengthened in state education systems worldwide?

• What can be done to ensure that freedom of religion or belief in education contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals?

• What opportunities and challenges exist for religious groups and ideological movements in this regard?

• What role do religious actors play in education?

• What approaches can strengthen progressive currents within religious groups and ideological movements working in education?

Following up on the Federal Government’s “Second Report on the Global Status of Freedom of Religion,” it would be fascinating to discuss these and other questions with you at the interface of politics and science. We will do so in the form of cooperation between the Federal Government Commissioner for Religious Freedom and the GIGA, and cordially invite you to participate in this virtual exchange.

Speakers: Markus Grübel MdB is member of the Bundestag and Federal Government Commissioner for Global Freedom of Religion.

Dr. des Amanda tho Seeth is a Post Doc at the Humboldt-Universität, Berlin and Associate in the GIGA project "Freedom and Development? Religious Actors, Freedom of Belief and Religion, and Sustainable Development".

Dr. Hamideh Mohagheghi is spokeswoman of the Rat der Religionen, Hannover and Member of the Board of Religions for Peace Germany.

Prof. Dr. Matthias Basedau is the Director of the GIGA Institute for African Affairs.

Moderator: Dr. Zrinka Štimac is a research fellow at the Georg Eckert Institute, Leibniz Institute for International Textbook Research (GEI).

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