VOLOS, 15 – 17 MAY 2004

Seminar: «Orthodoxy and Education: The lesson on religion as a subject of Identity and Culture»

Following a prior decision of the General Assembly, the I.A.O Secretariat organised a 4-day seminar in the city of Volos, Greece from 15 to 17 May, 2004, which will be held in the Theological Studies Academy of the Holy Metropolis Dimitriados with subject: «Orthodoxy and Education: The lesson on religion as a subject of Identity and Culture».

About 35 professors of Secondary Education, specialising in issues about teaching the lesson on religion, were invited and participated in this seminar from all countries, whose parliaments are members of the I.A.O. The reports in this seminar were presented by Professors and special scientists from all over the world. Mr. Κonstantinos Delikonstantis, Professor of the Theological School of the University of Athens, had the scientific responsibility of the seminar.

The subjects following were presented and discussed:
• The Orthodox basis and viewpoint of Education
• The European dimension of the lesson on religion in schools
• The religious education in the countries of the European Union. Problems and perspectives
• The lesson on religion in the countries of the Eastern Europe. Problems and perspectives
• The lesson on religion as a lesson of reconciliation
• The theological background and training of the instructors, for the lesson on religion, in primary and secondary education
• The psycho-pedagogical, social, cultural characteristics of students in association with the planning and organizing methods for the lesson on religion
• The nature and character of the lesson on religion. The religious education in the modern multicultural societies
• Orthodox education and globalization
Instructive proposals for the lesson on religion.

Instructive models:
a. The lesson on religion as a lesson of theological confession
b. The lesson on religion as a cultural lesson
c. The lesson on religion as a biblical lesson
d. The lesson on religion as a combinational lesson

• Modern instructive methods regarding the lesson of religion
• The preparation of the instructive material, the detailed programs and the handbooks for the lesson on religion.