The volume Researching Non-Formal Religious Education in Europe (2019) is a state-of-the-art account of the research field and one of the inspirations behind the FAITHED project. A research stint at the University of Tübingen in November 2023 has given the project leader, professor Anders Aschim, the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with two of the editors, professors Friedrich Schweitzer and Wolfgang Ilg, as well as with several other contributors to the book and other researchers in the field.
In Germany, Religious Education is mainly studied and researched at theological institutions. Interestingly from the FAITHED point of view, the University of Tübingen has both a Protestant and a Catholic faculty of theology, as well as a Center for Islamic Theology, including professors for both Protestant, Catholic and Islamic Religious Education. The three professors collaborate closely in the Kooperativ-Interreligiöser Forschungsverbund für Religiöse Bildung and in several joint publications.
On Friday evening 10 November, Anders Aschim gave a presentation of the FAITHED project for 18 researchers and students at the University of Tübingen, followed by a discussion. The focus on religious minorities was pointed out as a particularly important aspect of the project.
On Thursday 16 November, Aschim visited Ludwigsburg Protestant University of Applied Sciences where he had an inspiring exchange with professor Wolfgang Ilg and his research group on Youth work, followed by a guest lecture for students. The research group has put a note about the event on their web page.
You can read more about the FAITHED project here.