Consultation on Multifaith Education:
The History, Location and Language of a New Field
Meeting at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion
  7-10 pm, Sunday, November 23, 2003, The Manila Room, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Atlanta

  This consultation is part of a larger effort to convene persons interested in defining and mapping the emergent new field of multifaith education. During the past two years we have been examining its methodologies and pedagogies, identifying best practices, and cultivating a network of practitioners. As we move forward, we anticipate the need to shape a research agenda and build the appropriate institutional structures to support the field. At this special meeting we will examine multifaith education from the perspectives of history, location and discourse. All interested persons are invited to attend.

 Panel One: Encountering History: Snapshots of a Growing Movement  (7-8pm)

Presenters:
J. Terry Todd, Drew University ,
 Tri-faith and its Discontents: Scenes from the 1939-40 World’s Fair
  Alison Van Dyk, Temple of Understanding ,
The History of Multifaith Education: Four Models
Karen Wood, Willamette University , 
Seminarians Interacting: Reflections on the NCCJ

Panel Two: Location: Situating the Conversation  (8-9pm)

Presenters:
Alon Goshen-Gottstein, The Elijah School for the Study of Wisdom in World Religions, Jerusalem ,
Is Academic Multifaith Study a Form of Peace Making?
Eboo Patel, Interfaith Youth Core,
Preparing 21st Century Citizens: A Shared Values Approach to Multifaith Education
Jane Rechtman, The Masters School,
Locations and Venues for Multifaith Education

Panel Three:  Language Games: Constructing the Discourse (9-10pm)

Presenters:
Patrice Brodeur , Connecticut College ,
Multifaith Education as Applied Religion
John Berthrong, Boston University ,
Beyond Just Talking: Multiple Religious Praxis
Karen McCarthy Brown, Drew University,
Who’s at the table?  Religion, Power and Privilege

Program Moderators:
Lee Hancock , Auburn Theological Seminary
Charles Henderson, ARIL / CrossCurrents
Michael Gottsegen , CLAL – The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership
Marcia Beauchamp, Chair of the Religion in Schools Task Force, AAR

  This program is co-sponsored by Auburn Theological Seminary, CrossCurrents (The Association for Religion and Intellectual Life), CLAL - The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, and the Temple of Understanding.

  Consultation on Multifaith Education:  Leadership

Project Directors

  Michael Gottsegen ,  CLAL - The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership
Charles Henderson , ARIL / CrossCurrents
Alison Van Dyk , Diane Williams, The Temple of Understanding
Daniel Brenner, Auburn Theological Seminary

Planning Committee Members

  Sheila Gordon , The Interfaith Community
Michael Gottsegen ,  CLAL - The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership
Lee Hancock , Daniel Brenner, Auburn Theological Seminary
Charles Henderson , ARIL / CrossCurrents
Nurah Ammat’ullah Jeter, Muslim Women’s Institute for Research and Development
Debby Kaufman, The Curriculum Initiative
Sr. Joan Kirby, Tiffany Puett, Alison Van Dyk , Diane Williams, The Temple of Understanding
Sr. Betty Obal, Loretto Community
Ibrahim Abdil-Mu’id Ramey, the Fellowship of Reconciliation
Laxmi Shah,  International Mahavir Jain Mission
Ann Thurber , Cobb & Associates

National Advisory Board (in formation)

  Wesley Ariarajah, Drew University
Ed Bastian, Spiritual Paths Foundation
John Berthrong, Boston University School of Theology
Josh Borkin, Council for a Parliament of World Religions
Patrice Brodeur , Connecticut College
Karen McCarthy Brown, Drew University
Paul Chaffee, Interfaith Center at the Presidio
Peter Cobb , Cobb & Associates
Heidi Hadsell, Hartford Seminary
Grove Harris, The Pluralism Project, Harvard University
Judy Harrow, Cherry Hill Seminary
Judith Hertz, Commission on Interreligious Affairs of Reform Judaism
Jim Keen, Antioch College
Paul J. Knitter,  Xavier University
Leo Lefebure, Fordam University
Eboo Patel, Interfaith Youth Core
Betty Reardon, Teachers College, Columbia University   
Jane Rechtman, The Masters School
Raj Singh, Long Island Multifaith Forum
Robert Thurman, Columbia University
Arvind Vora, the Jain Society of Long Island

  Should you desire further information about the consultation, please drop by the CrossCurrents booth, #610 at the Exhibit Hall, Marquis Ballroom, Convention Level, or call 917-439-2305 to reach consultation organizers.