Over the lifetime of the NBO most of its engagement with interfaith work has been through the Inter Faith Network for the United Kingdom (IFN) funded by the UK government. However, on 22nd February 2024 the IFN Board of Trustees (who include NBO Chair Jo Backus) announced the closure of IFN due to the government’s withdrawal of funding.
A full explanation of the context in which IFN’s decision was made can be found in their press release. The NBO trustees are in full support of the position that IFN has taken under the difficult circumstances in which it found itself. The NBO will do its very best to help preserve the IFN’s legacy.
A big part of the IFN’s legacy has been its work in promoting interfaith principles, understanding and activity in schools. This is reflected in the theme of its last National meeting. Read the report on this.
Religious literacy in education is key to promoting interfaith respect and understanding in future generations. Jo Backus, NBO Chair and Education officer, has continued in her efforts to promote a sound understanding of Buddhism in the context of expanding religious literacy. Read more about the NBO’s work in Religious Education.
Until its closure the Inter Faith Network’s Faith Communities Forum met several times each year, regularly attended by representatives from NBO and providing a much-needed opportunity for interfaith dialogue at the national level. Themes in recent years have included security of places of worship, hate crime, faith-based social action, organ donation and government engagement with faith communities. Chaplaincy, Religious Education and the Climate Emergency, which are of course key concerns of NBO, have also featured strongly, as has Inter Faith Week, IFN’s primary annual focus.
Until its closure the Inter Faith Network’s Faith Communities Forum met several times each year, regularly attended by representatives from NBO and providing a much-needed opportunity for interfaith dialogue at the national level. Themes in recent years have included security of places of worship, hate crime, faith-based social action, organ donation and government engagement with faith communities. Chaplaincy, Religious Education and the Climate Emergency, which are of course key concerns of NBO, have also featured strongly, as has Inter Faith Week, IFN’s primary annual focus.
IFN resources will continue to be available for a number of years on IFN’s website, which has become a static archived site from which publications can continue to be downloaded.
It is with great regret that we now see the closure of the Inter Faith Network. Although this does of course have a major impact on NBO’s potential for interfaith engagement, there are other interfaith organisations with which NBO will continue to collaborate. These include NASACRE (the National Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education; the All Faiths Network; the Faith & Belief Forum; Religions for Peace (UK); the United Religions Initiative UK and Faith for the Climate.
It is envisaged that some of these organisations will be among those continuing to coordinate and promote Inter Faith Week which, since 2009, has been IFN’s largest programme. The NBO will continue to contribute as much as it can, as well as seeking other opportunities for interfaith engagement.
Contact the NBO Interfaith officer, John Marder: interfaith@nbo.org.uk
