Scottish Government

Prepared by The Scottish Working Group on Religion and Belief Relations

ISBN 978 1 78045 131 2
SG 474271

This document is also available in pdf format (2.5mb)

Contents

Foreword by Fergus Ewing MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Community Safety

Introduction by Sister Isabel Smyth SND, Chair of the Scottish Working Group on Religion and Belief Relations

Background:
Religion and belief relations in Scotland
Secular society
Dialogue and engagement

Vision, aims and values:
Vision
Aims
Values

Existing structures for dialogue:
Dialogue structures
National inter-faith structures
Local inter-faith structures
Inter-faith work led by religious communities
Dialogue initiative by non-religious belief groups

Good Practice:
Setting up a local dialogue group or initiative
Ground rules for dialogue and engagement
Facilitating dialogue
Techniques for dialogue
Safe spaces for dialogue
Accessibility
Challenges to dialogue

Ideas for dialogue and engagement:
Meetings for dialogue
Shared meals
Community picnics
Public seminars
Visits to places of worship or sites of importance
School events
Celebration of diverse holy days, festivals, anniversaries
Inter-faith services
Art-based projects
Joint social action projects

Education:
Curriculum for Excellence
The school curriculum
Diversity and positive education
Religious observance
Extra-curricular education
Further education
Higher education

Media and communication

Social networking:
Setting up your page
Essential roles for social networking
Levels of access
Event organising

Creating a newsletter

Fundraising:
Service Level Agreements

Appendices:
1 Religion and belief statistical information
2 Legislative framework
3 Discussion and consultation
4 Resources and useful contacts
5 The Scottish Working Group on Religion and Belief Relations: Background and Membership