MOSAIC - The training kit for Euro-Mediterranean youth work

2
225
laws that regulate various aspects of life such as marriage, divorce and women’s rights;
education policies (compulsory courses on religion in public schools); freedom of
expression and conscience; and issues like abortion or same-sex relationships. In this
sense, secularism does not only mean the separation of state and religion, but also
the observance of human rights, including the right to practise a religion or belief as
well as to change it, as stated in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights.
8.9 Religious diversity, tolerance and youth work
Dealing with young people from European and Mediterranean countries necessitates
paying special attention to religions, because youth work does not happen in a vacuum
of space and time. Values, mental frameworks, discussions and even jokes are
affected by reality, history and religious terminology as well. So maybe the first step
in approaching religious diversity is to accept diversity as a fact, but not necessarily
a source of conflict. This also necessitates having objective, unbiased information
about the existence of religious diversity and its elements (the religions themselves)
or at least being aware that information can be biased.
Youth work can, indeed, be a platform for dealing openly, naturally and constructively
with the richness, tensions and challenges of religions in Euro-Mediterranean societies.
An honest approach, trying to overcome stereotypes and misconceptions, is probably
the first step in that direction. A growing number of youth organisations are actively
working in the field of inter-religious dialogue, a dialogue between equals, being
self-critical of their own religious traditions and with the aim of increasing understanding.
One contribution of youth work could be to accept religious diversity and work
with it in international youth activities. Taking differences of belief and practice
within the group into consideration, before and during the activity, would be a good
first step. Knowing about some of the rituals and practices of different religious can
be very useful and important for the good functioning and success of youth events.
Consideration of dietary laws, places and times for prayer, the religious calendar and
daily practices of different religious groups (the Sabbath, Friday prayers, Ramadan,
Sunday celebrations, holidays) might help the organisers of youth activities provide a
respectful and peaceful atmosphere as well as avoid problems of travel and the timing
and efficiency of activities. The particularities of the place of the activity and the
expectations of the hosting environment are equally important, in order to show
respect for the needs of the group participants.
If the mutual expectations are implicit, they are better made explicit at an early stage
of the activity. In practice, religious diversity could be considered at various stages of
an activity: in the recruitment of the team and of the participants, in introductory
exercises, in intercultural evenings, in timetables or in organising meals, by explicitly
or implicitly dealing with difference and diversity.
Q: Taking into account the practices and factual characteristics of major
religions, what would you take into consideration when organising a
Euro-Mediterranean youth event?
Themes