Derby Expert Joins New National 'Faith' Panel
6 January 2010
One of the new Government National Faith Advisers, Professor Paul Weller, is pictured here (centre) in October. In this image, Paul is with collaborative research colleagues Kingsley Purdam (left), and Nazila Ghanea-Hercock to announce a three-year national research project relating to religious discrimination legislation, religion and beliefs.
This new panel brings together an unprecedented wealth of knowledge and experience that will help advise on the big issues facing society such as the economy, parenting, achieving social justice and tackling climate change.
”Communities Secretary John Denham.
University of Derby international faith expert Professor Paul Weller has been appointed to a new national panel to help encourage a 'deeper and broader relationship between Government and faith communities'.
Communities Secretary John Denham has today announced the appointment of 13 new faith advisers who will act as a 'sounding board' to advise on effective engagement with faith communities, and the impact of Communities and Local Government policy on faith communities.
Mr Denham has responsibility for the Government's public policy on faith. While recognising the significant contributions that faith communities have made to work on key issues such as homelessness and tackling poverty at home abroad, he is keen to stress the importance of respecting faith in its own right and not as a prop to Government when it has a problem to solve. The 13 advisers, all experts in their chosen field, will enhance ministerial understanding of, and engagement, with faith communities nationally.
Government already engages with faith communities through the Faith Communities Consultative Council (FCCC) and their important role will continue. However over recent months John Denham has said that he wants to see as many channels of communication open as possible and this includes hearing from a wide range of expert voices.
John Denham said: "This new panel brings together an unprecedented wealth of knowledge and experience that will help advise on the big issues facing society such as the economy, parenting, achieving social justice and tackling climate change.
"For millions of people the values instilled by their faith are central to shaping their behaviour. We should continually seek ways of supporting and enhancing the contribution faith makes to the decision-making process on the central issues of our time.
"Each adviser is has an outstanding track record of achievement. Together they will help inform Government on the views and values of faith communities, enabling us to learn from the unique insights that faith groups bring to contemporary issues."
The 13 new advisers come from a range of backgrounds and faith perspectives and include serving Bishops, academics and local activists. They were selected for their commitment to faith and the diverse experience in their chosen careers.
The panel members (in alphabetical order) are:
- Canon Dr Alan Billings - Formerly Director of the Centre for Ethics and Religion at the University of Lancaster.
- Dr Harriet Crabtree - Director of the Inter Faith Network for the UK.
- Marcia Dixon - Editor of Keep the Faith, a publication distributed to black majority churches.
- Dr Doreen Finneron - Founder and director of the Faith Based Regeneration Network.
- Jenny Kartupelis - Director of the East of England Faiths Council and Fellow of the Faiths and Civil Society Unit at Goldsmith's College.
- Wakkas Khan - Director of the Exploring Islam Foundation and a founding member of the Radical Middle Way.
- Alveena Malik - A Principle Associate at the Institute of Community Cohesion and a Trustee of the Muslim Institute.
- Mehri Niknam - Founder and director of the Joseph Interfaith Foundation.
- Rosalind Preston - President of the Jewish Volunteer Network and Chair of Nightingale House.
- Dr Jasdev Singh Rai - General Secretary of the British Sikh Consultative Forum and Director of the Sikh Human Rights Group.
- Bishop Tim Stevens - Anglican Bishop of Leicester and Founder and Chair of the Faith Leaders Forum of Leicester.
- Arjan Vekaria - President of Shree Kutch Leva Patel Community (UK) and the Hindu Forum of Britain.
- Professor Paul Weller - Head of Research and Commercial Development, Faculty of Education, Health and Sciences; and Professor of Inter-Religious Relations,University of Derby.
The University of Derby announced in October that Professor Weller is leading a new three year c. £400,000 academic study to investigate how attitudes and experiences of different religious and non-religious groups in England and Wales have evolved since 1999.
Derby has secured funding from the Religion and Society programme, which contributes to the multi-disciplinary Global Uncertainties Research Councils UK Programme. The project is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Economic and Social Research Council, and will include academics from the University of Oxford and the University of Manchester on the three-year study entitled: Religion and Belief, Discrimination and Equality in England and Wales, Theory, Policy and Practice, 2000-2010.
Speaking about today's appointment as a National Faith Adviser, Professor Weller said: "The creation of this panel is an important new step in the structures for the interface between governance, faith and public policy that have been developing at local, regional and national levels. It is a privilege to have been appointed to serve alongside panel members with such a wealth of experience and expertise. In this increasingly important, but also sensitive, area I will aim to contribute to the common good on the basis of relevant research and practical experience.
In particular, I will seek to bring to bear the findings and lessons learned from my research on matters of religious freedom, discrimination, and human rights; the patterns and dynamics of religious organisations, communities and populations in the UK; and in religion, state and society relations. I will also draw upon relevant practical experience among diverse religious communities and groups, and in inter-faith dialogue and inter-religious relations."
John Denham continued: "Given that faith plays a defining role in many lives, anyone wanting to build a more progressive society should not ignore the powerful role of faith and the strong values their communities hold.
"Government needs to have an understanding of this relationship - a relationship that shapes peoples behaviour - in order to help develop public policy that is relevant to our society.
"The relationship between faith and government will however not always be easy and some faith communities will no doubt sometimes disapprove of government decisions. Likewise Government should not shy away from honest debate or criticism when warranted and that this should not exclude any faith. "
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For more details contact Shagufta Nabi / Press Officer / Communities and Local Government Press Office / Tel No. 0303 444 1148 or for more details on Professor Weller's appointment contact Deputy Head of Corporate Relations Simon Redfern on 01332 591942 or 07748 920038 or email: s.redfern@derby.ac.uk.
