EXPERT
COMMENT
University
Communications
Tel. +61 3 9925 3176
Fax +61 3 9662 2739
MELBOURNE
BRUNSWICK
BUNDOORA
FISHERMANS BEND
POINT COOK
HAMILTON
HO CHI MINH CITY
HANOI
–
Expert comment on faith-based schools –
The rise of faith-based schools in Australia may undermine social cohesion,
according to a discussion paper presented at a NSW public school teachers'
conference today.
University of Technology Sydney’s Professor Andrew Jakubowicz has warned that
the increase in popularity of faith-based schools may affect students’ abilities to
relate to people of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.
Do faith-based schools divide Australians along cultural and religious lines?
What are faith-based schools doing to broaden their students’ understanding of
other cultures and religions?
What are the dangers of educating children in mono-religious and mono-ethnic
schools?
What are the risks in pushing secularism as the key ideology within Australian
education?
RMIT University’s Professor Desmond Cahill is one of Australia’s leading
authorities on multicultural and religious issues.
The Professor of Intercultural Studies at RMIT, Professor Cahill’s recent work has
included preparing a ground-breaking multicultural education policy for Victorian
government schools.
He was recently appointed Deputy Moderator-General of the Asian Conference of
Religions for Peace, the largest interfaith organisation in the Asia-Pacific region.
Professor Cahill also led Melbourne’s successful bid to host the Parliament of the
World’s Religions in December this year, which will bring together religious and
civil leaders from at least 80 countries.
Professor Cahill is available for comment on faith-based schools and their role in
Australian education.
For interviews and comment: Professor Desmond Cahill, (03) 9925 4981 or
desmond.cahill@rmit.edu.au
For general media enquiries: RMIT University Communications, Gosia
Kaszubska, (03) 9925 3176 or 0417 510 735.
13 July, 2009
NEWS 
