HOW MIGHT LEARNING ABOUT FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF BE EXPLORED IN A PRIMARY SCHOOL SETTING?

Introduction

In 2022 there was an International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in London. The conference reported on Article 18 from the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which concerns the right to freedom of religion or belief. At that conference a statement was issued on FoRB and education that recognised the importance of education in promoting respect for human rights, including FoRB. Commitments made at the conference included: ‘prioritising inclusive curricula and teaching …, supporting teaching that promotes the equality of all individuals regardless of their religion, protecting educational establishments … promoting international efforts to support education reform’ (HM Government 2022; see also Cass 2023).