Our Strategic Direction Part 1
22 May, 2020, Dr Kathryn Wright
A few weeks ago, I shared something of our new vision, mission and distinct values as a Trust.
Today I want to tell you about two of our new strategic objectives which we will begin to work towards from September this year. The first is promoting positive public perception of an education in religion and worldviews. A You Gov poll in 2018 put RE near the bottom of the most important subjects to learn in school according to a sample of public opinion. As a Trust we plan to review the current research on public perception of religion and worldviews so we can establish a clear baseline. We will then work with existing partners, as well as establish new ones, to create campaigns and projects to promote the importance of an education in religion and worldviews. This will most likely include conversations with those involved in the ‘media space’ as well as researchers, organisations, and networks who are already being advocates in this area.
The second strategic objective to share with you today is influencing government policy in supporting religion and worldviews, including the recommendations of the Commission on RE (2018). We already work closely with other partners in this area including the RE Council, and NATRE. The plan is for this to continue and to increase our work around lobbying government. Culham St Gabriel’s was one of the funders of the Commission on RE and continues to support the realisation of its recommendations. For example, a grant was awarded to TRS-UK for a literature review as part of a wider initiative to develop a shared set of understandings about ‘worldview’ as a concept. In addition, a grant was awarded to Theos to fund the comprehensive dissemination of a report which aims to explain in depth to RE professionals and the general public the meaning and implication of a ‘worldviews’ approach. These important pieces of work provide foundational research and evidence for us, and our partners, to use to influence government.
We have five strategic objectives in total all of which help us to fulfil our mission and work towards our vision. I will share more about the others in due course. In the meantime, you can find a list of them all on our website.
References:
https://www.cstg.org.uk/about-us/our-vision/
https://www.cstg.org.uk/grant-giving/grants/grants-awarded/
https://www.cstg.org.uk/about-us/our-strategy/