Policy Areas - Education and Culture

Calvin's Cuba unveiling highlights Christian and human aspirations

agency reporter — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:08:34 +0000

A bust of Protestant reformer John Calvin has recently been unveiled in a park in Havana, Cuba, as a way to cap a year-long celebration of his 500th birthday.

Educational impact of church schools unclear, says Christian report

staff writers — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:34:07 +0000

A new report published by organisations supportive of church schools has admitted that there is presently little evidence that the ethos they create has much educational benefit.

Is a virtual 'second life' for real, ask religious communicators

staff writers — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:47:05 +0000

Is an online alternate life for real, and how does it relate to the life of faith? Religious communicators plan to discuss and explore the latest web phenomenon at a gathering in Chicago next year.

Time for the religious to kick the broadcasting habit

Press Office — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:26:14 +0000

A new paper released today by the religion and society think-tank Ekklesia highlights how, since its origins in the wartime programming of World War Two, the extension of BBC Radio 4's Thought for the Day (TFTD) beyond their own voices has been resisted by Church leaders.

The 'Thought for the Day' debate

Lizzie Clifford — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:56:19 +0000

This paper by Ekklesia researcher Lizzie Cifford looks into the background and history of BBC Radio 4's short 'Thought for the Day' (TftD) slot, as a precursor to a wider analysis of 'Thought for the Day' scripts which Ekklesia is currently embarked on. TftD has become a topic of public and media debate of late concerning the proposal that non-religious as well as religious voices should be heard on it. The paper seeks to reflect the range of viewpoints on TftD, as well as providing information about its development and presentation. It traces how the origins of TftD came in a context of BBC religious broadcasting which was originally viewed as ‘evangelistic and missionary’ and now has to adapt to a mixed-belief society, including humanists, atheists and those who see themselves as 'spiritual but not religious'. The paper describes how attempts at re-branding from the mid 1960s have been opposed by some in the Anglican Church and elsewhere as part of a concern about the withdrawal of the BBC from its position as a central broadcaster in what was seen as a ‘Christian country’. It also highlights how a number of other radio stations, in particular regional programmes, have output which is similar to TftD, but successfully include contributions from the non-religious, as well as ‘minority’ religions, raising further questions about why TftD itself has not followed suit. However, the aim of this paper is description rather than advocacy. Further research on the content of TftD will be published in the new year.

Lizzie Clifford

BBC urged by Lords to take humanism and non-belief seriously

staff writers — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:39:56 +0000

The British Humanist Association has echoed the Government’s response to a debate in the House of Lords last night on the BBC, Humanism, and broadcasting, saying it ‘hopes the BBC has been listening’.

Discriminatory school admissions policies are cheating, says Accord

staff writers — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:01:43 +0000

The Accord Coalition says that the problem with schools admissions is not just people cheating, but policies which themselves discriminate, especially on grounds of religion or belief.

Pressure mounts on faith schools to end discriminatory practices

staff writers — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:11:28 +0000

A Rabbi and a Christian writer have added their voices to those from both religious and secular quarters calling for a change in admissions policies for faith schools, as the Supreme Court continues to deliberate on the JFS case.

Creationism in the classroom

Press Office — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:35:51 +0000

Commenting on a new Ipsos opinion poll commissioned by the British Council, which indicates a continuing public confusion about the teaching of evolutionary science and creationism in school classr

Survey indicates public confusion about science teaching

staff writers — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:32:41 +0000

A new global opinion survey shows that the British public continue to be confused about how evolutionary science should be taught in school classrooms, and whether opposing 'creationist' views should be included.

Landmark JFS case could affect other schools and faiths

staff writers — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:35:40 +0000

The Accord Coalition, which campaigns for inclusive schools, has said that the JFS case currently being heard in the Supreme Court could have far wider implications than just for Jewish schools.

Poetry, tears and religion

Michael Robbins — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:11:44 +0000

Several of the greatest poets in the English tradition from the Renaissance onward have sought to replace God with the human imagination, says Michael Robbins. They have succeeded and failed in interesting ways.

Campaigners condemn public money to Islamist-linked schools

staff writers — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:14:45 +0000

Campaigners for inclusive schools, including Accord, have strongly criticised the granting of public money to schools with links to the Islamist organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir.

Gap widens between best and worst areas for educational success

staff writers — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:22:34 +0100

Research has revealed a “postcode lottery” of educational achievement, with the gap widening between the best and worst ares. This is despite the £1.9 billion spent on widening university participation since 2005.

Government challenged over plan to privatise student loans

staff writers — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:02:21 +0100

Ministers are facing a strong challenge to their plans to privatise student loans, with academics and student campaigners criticising the proposals. The policy is part of a wider government plan to sell off around £3 billion worth of assets.