On 7th February 2009, Academy for Political Development organized a dialogue seminar entitled: „Education for values in compulsory education: what is the place of catechism, religious culture, ethics and human rights?“ as a start of a new initiative questioning religious issues in public discourse.

Members of the Steering Board – Anto Mikić, Editor in Chief of Croatian Catholic Radio and Marina Škrabalo, Director of MAP Consulting, opened a working session with an introduction about the initiative’s concept.   

Opening lectures were delivered by dr. sc. Blaženka s.Valentina Mandarić, Catholic Faculty of Theology (catechism), dr. sc. Anto Mišić, Faculty of Philosophy of the Society of Jesus (religious culture), dr. sc. Hrvoje Jurić, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Zagreb (ethics) and Jagoda Novak,  Human Rights Center (human rights). Presenting their own expertise and experiences, lecturers presented opposing viewpoints, in the atmosphere of dialogue and mutual respect.

Dr. sc. Ankica Marinović Bobinac from the Institute of Social Science made a critical review of survey results on religious education curriculum from eleven European countries. Prof. Tomislav Reškovac, Professor at the Private Classical Gymnasium in Zagreb shared his professional experience of practical implementation of the programme pointing both good and bad sides of the existing model.

The lively discussion that followed showed participants’ opinions on the subjects raised and led to the conclusion there is substantial interest in the topic, and willingness of both participants and lecturers to pursue it further.