Spirituality, ethics in focus

Sydney
14 April 2002

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Spirituality, ethics in focus

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Spirituality, ethics in focus

Religious and ethics education in schools and universities is the focus of a conference in Canberra this week with presenters from Australia, New Zealand and Britain.

Ethics and Spirituality: Towards a new learning dynamic has been organised by Dialogue Australasia, an association devoted to the development of religious and values education from primary to tertiary levels.

Michael Schell, head of religious education at Loreto College, Normanhurst, and Fr Chris Gleeson SJ, rector of St Ignatius College, Riverview, will share their experience of fostering spirituality in schools.

Dr Beverly Zimmerman RSJ, editor of Dialogue Australasia’s publication, who is one of the organisers, says young people “will have to grapple with the complexities of ethical issues when they enter the adult world, if not before” and that they can be given tools to handle problems they encounter”.

“(And) we have chosen spirituality because reflection enables students to gain inner confidence,” she said, “allowing them to recognise the value of silence, gentleness, compassion, concern for others and personal responsibility.”

The conference will be held at Canberra Girls’ Grammar School, Deakin, on Wednesday-Friday, April 17–19.

Visit the Dialogues Australasia website at www.geocities.com/Paris/Lights/5462 and click on to Conferences.