CYP Now - The National Youth Agency: Comment

"Belief is back" was the headline in last week's New Statesman. Inside the magazine there were no less than three articles, not totally negative, about religious faith but the sub-headline "How religious fundamentalism has risen again" showed the main thrust was that religious law and faith can be harmful and divisive. With notable exceptions, such as the protests of the monks in Tibet and the Christian faith of Martin Luther-King celebrated this month on the 40th anniversary of his assassination, many political commentators have seen religious faith as one of the major causes of conflict in the world and a contributing factor to growing divisions in many UK urban communities.

At The National Youth Agency we have been particularly concerned about the possible negative impact of some forms of religion on young people.

That's why in 2006, with the full support of the then Department for Education and Skills and after wide consultation with youth workers of all faiths, we published Spirituality and Spiritual Development in Youth Work. And last month, in partnership with Frontier Youth Trust, we followed this up with Glimpses,an exciting and ground-breaking resource for youth workers that explores the subject of spirituality in a contemporary and relevant way.

The following in Glimpses I found particularly contemporary and relevant: Spiritual Policy - "Diversity and difference will be valued and encouraged in the belief that we are all unique expressions of our common humanity." Communities Of Practice - "If spirituality is to avoid becoming sidelined then it is appropriate that specialist 'communities of practice' are developed to inform the wider sector ... The Muslim Youth Work Foundation is seeking to establish such a community." Every Child's Spirituality Matters - "Promoting debate about ethical and spiritual issues in trade, finance and wealth disparity."

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