Nationwide Consultation on Inter Faith Week

Programme Overview

UPDATE:

Bursting the Bubble: Recommendations for enhancing Inter Faith Week in England.

Following a major national consultation led by the Faith & Belief Forum and with support from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, a new report on the future of Inter Faith Week in England has been published. The report marks a significant step forward in shaping the future of this vital national initiative.

The report was launched in Parliament on 1 May, sponsored by Lord Khan of Burnley, Minister for Faith, Communities and Resettlement.

F&BF is now in conversations about the next steps, looking ahead to Inter Faith Week 2025.

For queries, please contact Sophie Mitchell: sophie.mitchell@faithbeliefforum.org 

Background: What is Inter Faith Week?

Inter Faith Week is an annual initiative every November, aimed at strengthening interfaith relations, increasing awareness of the diversity and contribution of faith communities in the UK, and fostering understanding between people of different religious and non-religious beliefs. Since its launch in 2009, Inter Faith Week has seen thousands of events including discussions, dialogues, community walks, cultural festivals, and educational activities. 

Consultation: January – February 2025

The Faith & Belief Forum has launched a nationwide consultation across England to shape the future of Inter Faith Week. The consultation, which the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government intends to fund, will be taking place in January and February 2025 and invites interfaith organisations, practitioners, and enthusiasts to share their views. The consultation is a critical step in determining how Inter Faith Week can continue to play a vital role in promoting unity and understanding in today’s diverse and multicultural society.

The consultation comes in the wake of the closure of The Inter Faith Network for the UK in Spring 2024, which had been instrumental in facilitating Inter Faith Week since its inception in 2009.

We are calling on all interfaith organisations, practitioners, and enthusiasts across the UK to participate. This is your chance to share your insights and help shape the future of Inter Faith Week. Whether you’ve hosted events, attended discussions, or simply value the importance of interfaith engagement, your voice is crucial.

You can get involved in two main ways: by attending a workshop and completing the questionnaire. 

Responses in the workshops and questionnaire will be reviewed, analysed, and summarised into a report that will be presented to the government and published online.

If you have any questions, thoughts or suggestions about the consultation, please contact Sophie Mitchell: sophie.mitchell@faithbeliefforum.org