Melbourne RE Conference a big success
Dr. Gareth Byrne and Dr. Bernadette Sweetman represented the Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education, DCU at a recent international conference on Religious Education held in Melbourne, Australia.
Under the leadership of Associate Professor Michael Buchanan (Australian Catholic University) and Dr Paul Sharkey (Catholic Education Melbourne), approximately 80 scholars and experts from 19 countries convened at the Catholic Leadership Centre. The 2nd International Conference on Catholic Religious Education provided an opportunity for an exchange of ideas from scholars and experts from Europe, Africa, the UK, USA, Asia, the Philippines, and Australia while drawing out authentic and sustainable possibilities for Catholic schools and other schooling system authorities within and beyond Australia.
Sharing and celebrating the diversity of cultures and traditions was a notable theme throughout the Conference with particular reference to the indigenous cultures of Australia.
Associate Professor Buchanan noted, “Our focus was on Catholic religious education, and the research, scholarship and motivation of presenters are extraordinary. This unique opportunity for an intellectual exchange of research and ideas pertaining to Catholic religious education was vital to its advancement in schools around the world”.
The much-anticipated gathering was complemented with liturgical celebrations and local immersions in sites of religious and cultural significance in Melbourne. The organisers recounted, “We shared our own innovative and responsive initiatives while learning from the best thinking and practice from around the globe.”
Dr. Gareth Byrne’s presentation ‘Revitalising Religious Education in Second-level schools in Ireland’ informed attendees on recent developments in RE at Junior Cycle level. Dr. Bernadette Sweetman’s presentation ‘Exploring Adult Religious Education and Faith Development in Ireland’ opened the ongoing AREFD research project to an international audience.
