Author Archives: EPPSP

In Belgium the authorities of various religious and non-confessional groups have agreed upon new competencies for religious education. Students will, starting from their own religious perspective, learn about the other world religions, and get to understand each others beliefs and work together with them. That is the purpose of the “inter-religious competencies” that the inspector-advisers of all recognized religions (Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, Protestant, Orthodox) and non-confessional ethics have written down. The text was approved by the authorities of the recognized religions in Belgium. All teachers are expected to adhere to the agreed text. The purpose is to initially work together in projects and create an own and open identity for children in which they learn to respect each other.

Find here in Dutch the original newsitem

At the last EPPSP meeting on the 27th of March, the platform had a discussion with European Parliament President Martin Schulz on the implementation of Article 17. As there were a few questions and issues left at the end of the meeting, we decided to follow up by letter.

Find here the letter we have sent to President Schulz concerning the further implementation of article 17 and the broader dialogue required.

Letter to President Schulz April 3rd 2012

The discussion with Schulz on the implementation of article 17 has been continuing for some months, through meetings and letters. The conversations through letter can be found in other posts in the news section of this website.
The meeting on the 30th of November has been reported in this video and the video of the meeting on the 27th of March can be found here.

The changes in the Polish political landscape have caused a turn in the financial aid of the state to the Catholic church in Poland. The rise of an anti-clerical party has made the tide change, while financial cuts in church subsidies were announced. It is estimated that the Catholic church in Poland receives between 300 and 350 million euros a year, the cuts would encompass 10% of that.

Find here and here newsarticles covering the change in Poland

A Written Parliamentary Question which was tabled by amongst others Sophie In ‘t Veld, chair of the EPPSP, got an encouraging response from the European Commission. The question addressed the incompetency of the Act on the Right of Freedom in Conscience and Religion in Hungary with EU Directive 2000/78/EC on equal treatment. The Hungarian Act determines that churches may set up conditions relating to recruitment and the establishment, maintenance and termination of employment contracts in order to ensure their specific identity.

The European Commission confirms that legislation concerning recruitment, the termination of contracts and working conditions should be in line with the Directive on equal treatment. The Commission has asked Hungary for additional information and will investigate whether the Hungarian legislation is in line with the Directive on equal treatment.

You will find the Written Parliamentary Question and answer by the European Commission here

On the 27th of March the meeting of the EPPSP on ‘the Implementation of article 17 with President Martin Schulz’ was recorded in the following video report.