Author: eftre

From August 21 to 24, 60 participants from 20 European countries gathered in Budapest for the triennial EFTRE conference under the theme “The art of empowerment.” The central question was how good religious education can contribute to greater commitment, compassion, and community in the classroom, at a time when people are becoming more individualistic, often lonely, and entrenched in their views. Powerful keynotes by Eszter Kodácsy-Simon, Arniika Kuusisto, Fahimah Ulfat, and Bert Roebben emphasized existential themes that concern and connect children and young people. Good religious education must take these themes seriously, using existential hermeneutics and didactics, and connect them methodically in clear learning processes. This existential movement took concrete shape in the various workshops.

The EFTRE group is like a family, rejoicing in being together and looking forward to new members. This vibe was palpable in Budapest. During informal moments, many plans were made, new representatives were welcomed, sensitive topics were raised, and different interpretations of RE in Europe were discussed. There was great synergy on campus. There was also a lot of laughter, good food, and drink. On the last evening, the group enjoyed a boat trip with dinner on the Danube, which for many was the highlight of the conference.

The texts of lectures and workshops are gradually becoming available on the EFTRE website, as is the announcement of the new EFTRE conference in the summer of 2028. In the meantime, online seminars and workshops are being offered. Stay posted!

Great to see colleagues from all over Europe!

Wouldn’t you like to have a superpower? A power that makes things easy? Learning how to fly instead of feeling held down to earth?

The current transitions and crises in society make it hard to feel light, to feel able to take your life in your own hands and shape society in a positive way. The EFTRE conference 2025 calls participants to reflect together on the art of empowerment in Religious Education. What does this art of empowerment consist of? Is it a hard or a soft power, bringing raw energy or more subtle competences? What is its role in creating community with others – among students or teachers – to provide a space for learning together, navigating complexity, finding new orientation and inspiration? The empowerment of students (and teachers!) seems to become more and more relevant as we all live in today’s European societies shaped by constant crisis and change. Join us in Budapest in 2025 and take part in a community that will empower you through exchange, discussion and inputs.

The keynote speakers will elaborate on aspects such as dialogue, resilience and hope, but also on controversial issues and complex interreligious encounters in the classroom. During the conference there will be numerous moments where praxis experience, research and policies can be exchanged between participants. Moreover, we look forward to the location in Budapest, on the picturesque Danube, a place for reflection but also for encounter and friendship. More information will follow in the coming months via this website and social media.

Move to

The next conference of the European Forum for Teachers of Religious Education (EFTRE) will take place on 21-24 August 2025 at the Protestant Theological University in Budapest, Hungary. This was decided by the board of the European network at its meeting in February. At the invitation of Eszter Kodacsy-Simon, board member from Hungary, the conference is thus returning to Eastern Europe after Dublin (West) and Rome (South). The theme of the conference will be announced shortly.

Move to

A fan,  a good mood and a lot of expertise made the conference of the European Forum for Teachers of Religious Education (EFTRE) in cooperation with Snadir (Italian teachers’ association) from 24-27 August 2023 a special experience. Teachers of religion and religious educators from schools, associations and universities from all over Europe gathered in Rome at almost 38°C to exchange ideas on the topic of “Bridges Over Troubled Waters – RE in Changing Times”. How can we build bridges in and through religious education? What is needed at each end of the bridges?

A rich programme of keynotes, workshops and excursions on site encouraged reflections. Right at the beginning, the presentation by Maria Raspatelli, Winner of the Global Teacher Award, provided inspiration, motivation and an image as to what constitutes good learning in Religious education.

Questions about the basic understanding of RE after the pandemic experiences, the contribution of RE to democratic school life and religious tolerance and how to deal with controversial topics, especially, in times of the ongoing war in Europe against Ukraine – all these questions and much more were discussed and practical approaches presented. The conference always came back to the question: How can religious education create dialogue and connections and thus build bridges? How can RE teachers be “hope generators” in times of massive insecurity and fear?   All participants contributed their expertise and experiences from their countries and exchanged views on current developments, RE models and didactic ideas. The participants praised the open and convivial atmosphere, which facilitated profitable learning. A special highlight was the conference dinner under the open sky in the courtyard of the historical buildings of Link Campus University.

A comprehensive documentation of the conference is available on the EFTRE website. Presentations of the keynote speeches, materials from the workshops, a photo gallery and a summary of the entire conference are openly accessible. In addition, short video summaries of the conference days are available on the Snadir youtube channel.