Program for the first Module - EPIL

• offer training of dialogue methods which will be practised throughout the entire study course: new insights are developed by listening, by assuming an attitude of empathy and by learning techniques that allow for a change of perspective.
• include a seminar on basic religious issues, which will be presented not as doctrinal statements but as they relate to women's daily lives: the self definition of the 'other' will serve as the basis for further exploration.
• introduce students to the situation of Muslims in Switzerland and explore the visibility of religion in the city.
• highlight dialogue initiatives of women of both faiths.

Methodology
There will be a carefully structured mix, including theological and sociological input, encounters, peer-group learning and elements of celebration and spirituality. Students will be introduced to and trained in intercultural and interreligious communication.

Location
Switzerland offers a special experience in dealing with multiculturalism, and, with its federal structure and democratic institutions, it has developed ways of dealing with 'difference' in a fair and sensitive manner.
The Protestant Academy Boldern above Lake Zürich, coordinated the first EPIL study course,
2002 - 2004.

Partners
Protestant Academy Boldern
Association of Islamic Organisations of Zürich (VIOZ)
Zürich Forum of Religions
The Ecumenical Women's Movement of Zürich
Fatima az ZahraWomen's Organisation

Contact
Evang.Tagungs-und Studienzentrum Boldern, CH-8708 Männedorf, Switzerland.
Tel: 0041 44 921 71 11,
e-mail: tagungen@boldern.ch, taia.oldenhage@boldern.ch

Module II
Vienna, October 21 - 28, 2007
"Historic Memories and Present Day Realities - Difficult Interactions"

Content
The reflection on historic memories is intimately connected to the location of module II: In Vienna the traumatic experience of the Turkish siege of the 16th and 17th century is not forgotten. Many public places still carry names that reflect these events and the ultimate Christian victory. Popular culture continues to shape relationships between the local people and the largely Muslim migrant population.
The module will

• present new research on the historic event and the way it shaped the "look at the Orient" in the centuries to come. It will also recall the early recognition of Islam that originated in the Balkan countries of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
• look at some specific fields of interaction and potential tension between the majority culture and migrant communities. These will include the use of public space in the city, religious education in schools, an initiative of midwives in Vienna's General Hospital and the creative interaction in music and the arts.

Methodology
The module will work with a "learning by doing" approach, exploring spaces of interaction and doing things together in a neighbourly fashion, such as shopping for food in different markets, cooking together and attending lectures and cultural presentations, along with continuing evaluation.

Location
Traditionally Vienna has been a meeting place of various cultures, where people have developed their own way of integrating diverse elements into something new. More recently right-wing political trends have played on old prejudices against migrants. In this context interreligious dialogue among the religious communities has become an important issue, also for civil society and government.

Partners
Protestant Women's Agency
Protestant Academy Vienna
Catholic Women's Movement of Austria
Association of Muslim Women's Organisation in Austria
Katholische Akademikerverband-Frauenintiative

Patronat
Ecumenical Council of Churches in Austria

Contact
Evangelische Frauenarbeit, Blumengasse 4, A-1180 Wien, Austria,
Tel. +43/14089605,
e-mail:efa-brot@evang.at

Module III
sarajevo, April 18 - 26, 2008
"Conflict and the Potential for Pluralism - Analysing the Use and Misuse of Religion"

Content
For centuries Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) nurtured traditions of tolerance, multi-ethnic living and ethical principles that value all cultures and religions. However, in the last decade the country experienced a brutal conflict that divided the people who had lived together peacefully for centuries. How this could happen and how people are now reconstructing their lives and their country will be the focus of attention.
The module will

• introduce the history of Bosnia's multiethnic nationalism, analyse the historical background of its religious communities and examine how religion has been used both to intensify conflict and to build peace
• analyze what "respect for difference" actually means and how it is necessary for the development of democracy
• explore (women's) efforts to heal and rehabilitate in a post-conflict situation that left people wounded and traumatised.

Methodology
Testimonies of women's experiences, lectures and roundtable discussions will analyse the complex situation of BiH. A number of best practice examples will illustrate efforts and methodologies to heal and reconstruct. There will also be visits to sacred sites, encounters with religious communities and a public event.

Location
sarajevo provides a rich blend of the religions and cultures that shaped its past. Here the church bells toll while the muezzin calls to prayer in the mosque. Here, also, new cemeteries, where the dead of the recent war are buried, crawl up the steep hills. sarajevo is in the midst of reconstruction. There are many obstacles, but also many creative and courageous efforts.
There will be visits to Srebrenica, a site of horrible suffering during the recent war, Zenica, a site of peace-building and conflict transformation and historic Mostar.

Partners
The Islamic Faculty of sarajevo
Medica Zenica

Contact
MEDICA ZENICA- Mokušnice 10, Zenica 72000, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Tel.: 00387 (0) 32 463513 Fax: 00387(0) 32 463515,
e-mail: sabihask@bih.net.ba

Module IV
Cologne and Bonn, Germany, October 20 - 26, 2008
"Concepts of Integration - the Challenge of Migrant Communities"

Content
Human history is a history of migrations. Over the ages danger, need and human curiosity have prompted people to leave their countries of origin in search of safety, bread and fulfilment.
There were also migrations for religious reasons. The journey without return is a deep religious symbol that can be found in the Bible and Koran.
Today, sizeable communities of Muslim migrants live in many European countries. How can they participate actively in the host society where the norms are so different from those of their own religious and cultural background?
The module will

• analyse reasons for migration, including religious reasons (and stories of migration in the holy books)
• look at the reactions to migration, both in the countries of origin and in the host societies
• create understanding of the difficulties encountered in developing concepts of "integration" and the efforts presently being made in Germany.

Methodology
The module will emphasize the encuentro method of learning. A problem is analysed by encountering people at all levels (civic and religious authorities, people directly affected by the problem, etc) and by learning to look at the issue from many perspectives. To do this, the module will introduce a variety of creative didactic methods.

Location
Cologne Cathedral harbours the shrine of the "Three Holy Kings" - the three sages that came from far-away countries to adore the holy child, a kind of religious migration.
For decades this centre of Catholicism has been home to ecumenical initiatives.
But Cologne also has large neighbourhoods of Muslim migrants and an active Muslim population. The unique Centre for Islamic Women's Research and Encouragement is based in Cologne. The question of creative and future- oriented concepts of integration is ever present.

Partners
Melanchton-Akademie Köln
Zentrum für Islamische Frauenforschung und -förderung, ZIF
(Centre for Islamic Women's Research and Encouragement), ZIF

Contact
Zentrum für Islamische Frauenforschung und -förderung, ZIF
P.O. Box 520362, D-50952 Cologne, Germany
Tel: 0049 221 368 6467, Fax: 0049 221 368 6468
e-mail: info@zif-koeln.de

Module V
Beirut, February 2009
"Reconciliation - Committed to Staying Together: One People, Multiple Confessions"

Content
Because of the influx of migrant communities, many European nation-states have become more multicultural and multi-religious. Profound problems have arisen from these changes.
Lebanon was created as a multi-confessional and multicultural democracy with a National Pact describing participation, responsibilities and accountability between confessional and public structures. This model of democracy has also created tremendous problems, which leads us to believe that existing models of democracy do not adjust easily to religious plurality.
In this last module, we will look into various experiences and draw lessons for better interreligious living in secular societies.
The study process will

• demonstrate how groups of divergent backgrounds live together
• analyse the evolution of confessional structures into civic/public structures in Lebanon
• show the interconnection between local, regional and global interests and its impact on pluralist societies.

Methodology
Dialogical Learning. The module will comprise lectures, panels and mixed study groups, made up of EPIL and local groups, who will explore the relationship between the sharing of power and national solidarity.
As this will be the last module, it will end with an analysis and synthesis of efforts to build a culture of peace (strategies for peaceful coexistence) in interreligious living. It will also seek to identify specific pedagogical elements that contribute to the building of a culture of peace.

Location
Beirut, Lebanon. The war-torn city of Beirut sits on many layers of religions, cultures and civilizations. Its first important contribution to education started in the Third Century with the Roman School of Law. The unique educational role of Beirut continues despite upheavals.

Partners
Ecumenical and Interreligious Department, Armenian Catholicossate of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon
Institute for Women's Studies in the Arab World, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
National Committee for Dialogue, Beirut, Lebanon.

Contact
Interim: Ecumenical and Interreligious Department, Armenian Catholicossate of Cilicia. Beirut/Switzerland.
Tel. +41 22 362 66 24. Fax. +41 22 362 66 27

HOME