European Parliament Presentation For Derby Professor
22 October 2012
The University's Professor Paul Weller
It is very important both that research of this kind is engaged with by European Institutions, national governments and civil society groups in the European Union.
”A University of Derby Professor presented his research on the perception of unfair treatment due to religion or belief to an international audience at the European Parliament in Brussels on October 18.
The conference, convened by CEJI: A Jewish Contribution to an Inclusive Europe was a culmination of the award winning international project Belieforama: A Panoramic Approach to Issues of Religion and Belief. International delegates at the event represented Jewish, Muslim, Christian, secular, Ba'háai'í, Buddhist and anti-racism organizations.
Professor Paul Weller of the University of Derby's Centre for Society Religion and Belief presented his findings of a survey of Belieforama training participants carried out with colleague Dr Sariya Contactor. Their research found that the perception of unfair treatment can be found not only against Muslims and Jews, but also against Christians, Atheists, Humanists, Sikhs, Hindus, Pagans, members of New Religious Movements and many others.
Aspects of his research reflect other European-wide research findings, underlining the need to tackle the problem of bias among individuals and groups, as well as institutional discrimination and other forms of unfair treatment on the basis of religion or belief in a range of public, private and community sector contexts.
The research also identified and highlighted how educational approaches such as those facilitated by Belieforama can promote positive transformations, mediating between individual change and social engagement.
The resulting set of recommendations and reflections presented at the conference concern not only European Institutions and national governments, but also emphasise the responsibilities of religious and civil society groups to be more active in strengthening intercultural cooperation and respect for differences amongst their communities.
Professor Weller said: "It is very important both that research of this kind, and also the training approach represented by Belieforama, is engaged with by European Institutions, national governments and civil society groups in the European Union.
"For there to be a viable European future, it needs to be one that is inclusive in a way in which all its citizens and residents can participate free of discrimination and unfair treatment on the basis of religion or belief/convictions, but also in a way that is positively informed by the contribution that their religions or belief/convictions can bring to its evolving common life."
The open conference on October 18, held at the European Parliament, was hosted by MEP Emine Bozkurt (NL), head of the Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup.
