Principles of Inter(active)-faith Engagement

1. Principles of Inter(active)-Faith Engagement:

  • Reflect diversity, accounting for the complex and intersectional religious identities of our students.
  • Rooted in face-to-face encounters and deep relationship-building within and between communities and/or individuals.
  • Committed to a transformational education experience, leadership, and civic engagement, i.e. multifaith issue-based solutions to social problems such as poverty, prison industrial complex, human trafficking.
  • Focused on spiritual disciplines, spiritual reflection, meaning-making, and engaged spirituality as a way of understanding spirituality.
  • Inclusive of and attentive to personal narratives through intentional storytelling pedagogy, not just representative of religious creed.
  • Supportive of Integration of the whole student experience throughout their academic and co-curricular development.
  • Supportive of coursework that promotes inter(active)-faith and multifaithful leadership.

2. Create a safe space that encourages dialogue. Approach every conversation with a co-learner orientation.

3. Ask people about their personal practices. Not all people within a religious or spiritual community practice in the same way.

4. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Let those around you know that they can voice a concern if something you say offends them.

5. Whenever possible, organizers should reflect the diversity of those who will be participating in a particular event.

6. Events should be easily accessible and comfortable for all potential participants. Some things to consider:

  • Religious Holidays (available on Google Calendar)
  • Prayer times

7. At an event itself, ensure that the structure of the event is inclusive. Some things to consider:

  • Dietary needs such as Kosher, Halal, vegetarian, vegan etc.
  • Accessibility needs

8. Create an environment where people feel safe making requests for religious and spiritual observance or practice. Make it clear that there will not be ramifications for making that request.

9. Use inclusive language to welcome students who do not identify with a particular faith tradition or identify as atheist or agnostic.

10. Seek help or advice from Spirituality and Public Life staff or Multicultural Affairs staff.

 

(adapted from NYU’s Principles of Multifaith Engagement)