Report on Education and Extremism conference

Education and Extremism Conference
Roehampton University 
Thursday 5 July to Saturday 7 July 2007

On Saturday 7 July 2007 Jan Campbell, representing the PSHE Subject Association, took part in a panel discussion at the invitation of Professor Ron Best. The occasion was day 3 of an international conference entitled Education and Extremism. Delegates came from Israel, South Africa, Taiwan, USA, Russia, New Zealand, Finland, Holland, Portugal and Sweden as well as across the UK. The majority were from Higher Education. 

The panel was composed of Denis Hayes from Canterbury Christ Church University, Richard Cheetham, Bishop of Kingston and Jan Campbell representing the PSHE Subject Association. Each panel member was asked to make a 5 minute presentation, take part in a discussion between panel members and then in a Q&A with the audience.

In order to present a teacher perspective we contacted teacher groups within the PSHE Subject Association and drew on their views and experiences in the course of the discussion. It became clear that, whilst we have learnt a great deal about teaching about many sensitive issues and extreme behaviours, colleagues are finding it difficult to respond to young people’s wish to discuss religious extremism and terrorist acts. 

The initial presentation was based on 3 questions. By publishing them and some initial responses and reflections we aim to stimulate wider debate amongst members and to gather examples of effective practice that may help practitioners to address, within PSHE, the sensitive and emotional issues raised by extremism. Some of the contributors to the conference have offered to provide papers and information. These will be added to the website in due course.

More information on questions and answers relating to Extremism and work in schools