Resource 8

NATRE - National Association of Teachers of Religious Education Religious Education

Community cohesion and the prevention of violent extremism
A resource for teachers to use in the classroom


Resource title
Peacemakers
Source: www.peacemakers.tv
Outline
Peacemakers is an online resource which uses film, music, photography and other media with the aim of improving understanding in the UK between Christians, Muslims and others and promoting positive action. It was produced following the 7 July 2005 events in London to actively challenge the misconceptions based on suspicion and fear that followed.

There are 5 sections in the resource each supported by a presentation:
  1. Viral commercials: powerful, short sequences, which investigate and challenge some common stereotypes and misunderstandings.
  2. Music: promo to highlight the issues that underlie prejudice and provoke conflict: fear, ignorance, greed, misinformation.
  3. Peacemakers: 15 minutes of interviews with several Christian and Muslim leaders talking about their views on peacemaking and building relations between different faith communities. Discussion activities focus on prejudice and fear; hatred and violence; peace, reconciliation and justice.
  4. Film about faith: three Britons – Muslim dental student, Christian actor/househusband, Secular art teacher, explain what faith means in their lives and how they relate to people of different faiths.
  5. Photographic exhibition: a short clip showing some of the photos to feature in the forthcoming exhibition of the Peacemakers project.
This resource offers a powerful contemporary stimulus for work on topics such as peacemaking, prejudice, conflict and the impact of religious beliefs, and can support the development of students' ability to investigate and explain, express insight into and reflect and evaluate a range of themes, ideas, challenges and issues (The non-statutory national framework for religious education, 2004, Pg28) http://www.qcda.gov.uk/7886.aspx
Links with other subjects
Citizenship: 1.3 Identities and diversity: living together in the UK – Exploring the diverse national, regional, ethnic and religious cultures, groups and communities in the UK and the connections between them.
Additional support