Water is more than just a resource — it holds profound spiritual, ethical, and environmental significance. Work Package three explores the complex interplay between the sacredness of water in religious traditions, environmental sustainability, and ethical responsibility, using water as an exemplary theme to develop innovative, interreligious teaching approaches.
Theological and Interreligious Perspectives on Water
Water carries deep symbolic and theological meanings across religions. This work package examines:
- The sacred nature of water in different faith traditions
- The interreligious relevance of water in theological discourse, liturgy, and anthropological perspectives
- Connections between religious purity concepts, gender, and ethical considerations
Water and Environmental Ethics
Understanding water issues from a scientific perspective is crucial for addressing global challenges. This work package:
- Engages environmental experts to clarify the scientific background of water resources, sustainability, and climate impact
- Promotes awareness of the socio-ethical implications of water use
- Explores behavioral patterns related to religious traditions and environmental responsibility
Water, Nutrition, and Religious Practices
Religious eating habits and agricultural practices are closely linked to water consumption. This work package investigates:
- The relationship between water use and food production, including religious dietary laws and fasting traditions
- The ethical implications of vegetarian and vegan diets in the context of sustainability and youth engagement
- The impact of agriculture and livestock farming on water resources
Didactic Implementation and Teacher Training
To make these insights actionable, Work Package 3 focuses on:
- Designing and evaluating teaching modules for religious education, particularly at the secondary level
- Conducting pilot lessons in schools, taught by university students and assessed through student feedback and surveys
- Integrating findings into teacher training curricula for practical and evidence-based optimization
Networking and Collaboration
To ensure broad impact, this work package fosters collaboration with:
- Religious communities, interfaith networks, and NGOs engaged in environmental education
- Environmental scientists and organizations
- Existing interreligious initiatives, such as the Manresa Pact, to provide best-practice examples for teacher training
Public Outreach and Knowledge Dissemination
Raising awareness and ensuring accessibility of project outcomes is a key priority. This includes:
- Organizing public symposia to engage with experts from theology, environmental science, and ethics
- Developing digital and printed teaching materials, including methodological guides for educators
- Translating and providing open-access educational resources via digital platforms