2002 Budapest

There were 6 different lecture topics offered during the Congress. Participants were encouraged to attend a series of workshops on a chosen topic and to consider practical programmes that could be implemented in local communities.
The following options were offered as both main lectures and workshops:

Encountering Interfaith

This lecture focused on the practical aspects and challenges of setting up interfaith encounter and reviewed a variety of models at the local, national, regional and international levels. Experts in interfaith work were available to help participants to develop or improve their own interfaith initiatives locally and to connect them with existing groups. Dr. Harriet Crabtree, Deputy Director of the InterFaith Network for the U.K., led this session.

Designing Programmes That Work

This lecture examined the principles of how programmes can be designed. It looked at the elements and reasoning which are necessary before committing resources to action. Potential projects for a broad range of religious freedom programmes were discussed. Mark Bitel from Partners in Evaluation in London led participants through the process of designing effective programmes

Building Strategic Plans

Principles of Strategic Planning were covered in this lecture and drew on illustrations from the IARF’s newly-adopted Strategic Plan for 2001-2007. This session helped participants to develop goals for their own work and taught them how to think in more strategic ways! Remarks were given by Rabbi Mordechai Liebling from the association’s International Council.

Using Information Technology for Religious Freedom

Using non-technical language, this lecture reviewed how information technology can be used to promote the cause of religious freedom and how to take advantage of modern methods of communication. Rev Yoshinobu Miyake, the Executive Director of the Konko Church of Izuo, gave the main session

Teaching Tolerance

Religious education varies widely throughout the world from the promotion of a single predominant faith to a secular avoidance of all religious instruction. These issues will be covered along with a discussion of ways in which values and beliefs are passed down and how children can learn about tolerance and other virtues. Dr. Dan Popov and Linda Kavelin-Popov addressed the work they do globally on teaching virtues. Professor Ai spoke about his work on pupils’ spiritual development at Ittoen School in Japan.

Promoting Voluntary Codes

Governments throughout the world have been increasingly concerned about the practices of religious groups. The potential parts of a Voluntary Code of Conduct for Religious and Belief communities, which is being pioneered by IARF, were covered in a lecture given by Dr. Eileen Barker from the London School of Economics. While this lecture is not available, an article in the March 2002 edition of IARF World provides more background on this initiative. Small groups debated the pros and cons of such a code while at the Congress. Based on this feedback, the process for the Code’s futher development is under review.