New Vision for Interfaith Week Announced

Monday May 26 2025

Run annually by Interfaith Scotland, the Scottish Interfaith Week festival celebrates the nation’s religious and cultural diversity.

A new vision for the festival was announced at the premiere of Scottish Interfaith Week’s 20th anniversary short film in Glasgow on May 14.

Dr Maureen Sier, Director of Interfaith Scotland, said: “We want to create a safer and more welcoming Scottish society for all starting with our children and young people, the future changemakers and leaders of Scotland.

"Our vision is for Scottish Interfaith Week to become the springboard from which children can dive into adulthood feeling confident in their ability to respectfully engage with people of different beliefs and backgrounds.”

Interfaith Scotland’s vision starts with schools and educators. Dozens of schools currently engage in the festival but Interfaith Scotland  has said more can be done to educate children about faiths and beliefs.

Communications and Marketing Manager of Interfaith Scotland, Jill Stevens said: “I recently attended a conference for the Scottish Teachers Association of Religious and Moral Education. Around 100 teachers attended and I heard firsthand how many schools feel ill-equipped to teach pupils about religion. Teachers are afraid to make mistakes and say the wrong thing.

“We want to empower educators to address the big issues and engage young people in learning about other beliefs. If teachers don’t feel confident then neither will the children.

“If children grow up unsure how to talk to someone of a different background then we will continue to have barriers between communities, and misinformation and stereotypes thrive in isolation. We believe open dialogue is the key to helping our society flourish, and it starts with our young people.”

Interfaith Scotland plans to create more resources to support teachers with interfaith dialogue and to help young people take part in the festival’s new school competition.

The competition invites primary school classes and secondary school pupils to use any creative medium to explore a value or social justice issue and ways to take action. 

Thousands of young people identified their key priorities as education, climate, mental health, poverty and discrimination in a 2024 survey by Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People. Interfaith Scotland has asked event holders to explore these key priorities in their festival events.

Events for Scottish Interfaith Week 2025 will take place across Scotland from November 2-9.

To find out more about the festival, visit the Scottish Interfaith Week website.

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