We are developing new partnerships with organisations across the country, and we are delighted to bring you news from our partners at the Humanitarian & Conflict Institute at the University of Manchester and from the Three Faiths Forum in London …
New Partnership with the Humanitarian & Conflict Response Institute at the University of Manchester
A new partnership between SLN and the Humanitarian & Conflict Response Institute (HCRI) at the University of Manchester has been formed to enhance the work of the Schools Linking Network-Model United Nations (SLN-MUN) by drawing on the expertise and support of the students and staff at the HCRI.
The partnership was formed when the HCRI agreed to support the Stockport SLN-MUN project in Spring/Summer 2011 by working with students from nine secondary schools.
SLN-MUN encourages students from different schools and backgrounds work in teams to debate and consider ways to ‘resolve’ a global issue.
During 2011, students and staff from the HCRI mentored young people involved in the SLN-MUN Stockport project. The HCRI team provided invaluable support to the schools and students involved in the Stockport project and were able to offer advice on the topics debated, research methods, event preparation and managing group dynamics.
HCRI students benefitted from a deepening of their understanding of global issues and International aid delivery – a learning outcome required by their MA degree, and provided them with the opportunity to mentor young people. The HCRI is keen to support the partnership with SLN as part of their commitment to the University of Manchester’s corporate social responsibility. This partnership is continuing in 2012 with even greater impact.
“In the 2011/12 academic year, HCRI MA students will be given the option of being formally assessed on their MUN involvement. In place of a formal research essay, students participating in SLN-MUN will be assessed on the quality of the feedback they provide to their student-groups as mentors. They will also be graded on a series of reflective ‘learning logs’ in which they will write about their experiences with the students and their reflections on the MUN process as a whole.” Dr Jenny Peterson, HCRI Director of Postgraduate Research
Click here to find out more about the SLN-MUN Stockport project
What’s New in Faith Linking
SLN is working closely with the Three Faith Forum (3FF) to explore faith linking in different contexts, here David Raven-Hill, SLN Advisor on Interfaith and Controversial Issues, discusses the latest developments in faith linking.
3FF supports linking between schools of a religious character and each year the organisation works with between 30 and 40 primary and secondary schools in Greater London, including with traditional faith schools of Catholic, Church of England, Greek Orthodox, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh denominations.
The schools involved in faith linking follow the principles and plans that underpin SLN’s aims, but with an additional focus on understanding the differences and similarities between faiths and beliefs.
As a focus to engage the schools and young people in linking, a variety of contexts, including drama, story-telling and sport, have been incorporated into the SLN / 3FF partnership work. Some linked secondary schools have selected 3FF’s Interfaith Arts Exhibition in London as their neutral venue, where they can explore and create art together.
This term 3FF and SLN began work with a small number of schools in Leicester, Birmingham and Liverpool to investigate if the lessons learnt from the faith school linking in London are useful for schools in different cities. To support this initiative, both organisations have collaborated to produce a web-based set of guidance, the content of which we hope will be useful for schools and advisers embarking on this hugely exciting venture.
The guidance will be available on both the SLN and 3FF websites in 2012. To find out more about faith school linking please contact either SLN on info@schoolslinkingnetwork.org.uk or 3FF on saara@threefaithsforum.org.uk
Partnership Feedback cover photo credited to Daniel Tierney
SLN Winter Newsletter 2011
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