Asia Education Foundation

Beliefs

A multifaith lighthouse?

Consultees continually emphasised the centrality of education, as well as the role of the media in recognising religion as an asset and a resource, and in constructing a multifaith society built around its Christian core … Over the past fifty years, in a bipartisan way, Australia has become a multicultural and multifaith lighthouse …

Religion, Cultural Diversity and Safeguarding Australia (2004)

To what extent are your students knowledgeable about the major belief systems in Australia? How do schools teach effectively in the area of beliefs, values and religions? What place do they have in the curriculum?

Access great support resources to assist teaching and provide confidence and competence in an area that is sometimes seen as difficult by school communities.

Useful resources

A range of resources

The Really Big Beliefs Project

cover image: The Really Big Beliefs Project

This large-format book explores the diversity of beliefs in Australia via a student project construct.

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Images of Asia: Beliefs

cover image: Images of Asia: Beliefs

Illustrates the diversity of religions in eight countries of Asia.

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History Unit: The Power of One – The Power of Many: Nation Building

cover image: History Unit: The Power of One – The Power of Many: Nation Building

Focus on the stories of Mahatma Gandhi and Mao Zedong, exploring notions of leadership and nation building.

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Teaching activities

Download activities suitable for use in English and SOSE classrooms at upper primary or lower secondary levels. Where can I? and Celebrations can be used to support outcomes in Mathematics as well.

Links

Explore these useful websites and a bibliography of resources.

More information about beliefs

Find more information about Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism.

Professional learning

 Access the Teaching about Beliefs professional learning program.

Step into Asia
 
Image: English Unit: Beyond The River

English Unit: Beyond The River

Consider and discuss the power of picture books to influence perceptions of culture and position audiences in particular ways.View more

Image: Australia Kaleidoscope

Australia Kaleidoscope

Explores intercultural themes in Australia through stimulating texts and contemporary case studies.View more

Image: Access Asia: Primary Teaching and Learning Units

Access Asia: Primary Teaching and Learning Units

Practical starting points for teachers to introduce Asian content into the primary curriculum.View more

Image: English Unit: Our Region, Our Home

English Unit: Our Region, Our Home

Access current Asian media as well as other resources, focusing on environmental issues in the region and preparing an oral report.View more

Image: Voices and Visions Professional Learning - Japan

Voices and Visions Professional Learning - Japan

Learn more about teaching texts from Japan and make connections with the emerging national English curriculum through this PLP.View more

 

Nik Feith Tan, Australian Indonesian Youth Exchange Program alumnus

"People-to-people contact will ensure that misconceptions about each others' cultures don't arise."

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