Embargo against publication to Monday, 24 August, 2009

Human Rights Commission
Media release
24 August, 2009

Religion in schools publication launched at Diversity Forum

The Human Rights Commission will launch Religion in New Zealand Schools: Questions and Concerns at the New Zealand Diversity Forum at Victoria University, Wellington today. (subs: 24 August)

In an easy question and answer format the booklet provides answers to common questions on how schools and their communities can give a place to religion that ensures security and dignity for all.

The issue has been a steady source of enquiries and complaints to the Human Rights Commission and the New Zealand School Trustees Association.

Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said, “The context to this publication is how New Zealand has changed since the legislation about religion in schools came into force in the 1960s. Today we live in a vastly different society, with many cultures and religions, including a third of New Zealanders who say they have no religion.”

He said the publication offered principles, advice and case studies on how schools could respect the law and not discriminate against their students on the grounds of religious belief or lack of it.

The booklet gives simple explanations of what the Human Rights Act and the Bill of Rights Act and Education Act say about religion in schools.

The publication is a project of the NZ Diversity Action Programme. A draft was written by Paul Morris, Professor of Religious Studies at Victoria University and used as the basis for consultation with a range of stakeholders including faith and non-faith groups, schools, the School Board of Trustees Association and the Ministry of Education.

The 2009 Diversity Forum Religious Diversity session will also see the release of the latest draft of the Statement on Religious Diversity and a discussion on the place of religion in the workplace.

For details about the Forum, click here: Religious diversity

For an electronic copy of Religion in NZ Schools: Questions and Concerns, click here: Religion in NZ Schools

ENDS

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