The rapidly changing composition of Maltese society has increased the necessity for the dissemination of correct information about the different worldviews present in our society as well as for the provision of training and resources for professionals so that they can overcome cultural barriers when interacting with their clients, students or patients having different faiths and cultures.
A research team led by Prof. Adrian-Mario Gellel, a resident academic within the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Theology, working on a project titled ‘Living Together: Towards Understanding Each Other’s Culture’ has recently completed a series of eight short documentaries on various religious communities and interfaith initiatives present in Malta. This documentary series is designed to serve as an educational resource providing essential information about the beliefs, customs, religious etiquette, and practices of eight of the faith communities currently found in Malta, being the Catholic, Coptic, Orthodox, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Baháʼà and Jewish communities.
Besides producing these videos, this two-year project also provided a series of educational training sessions for professionals in the Education, Health and Social Work sectors, developed a website, published a handbook with vital information on various religious communities present in Malta after conducting research among professionals and among third country nationals.
This Living Together project is part financed by the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Funds of the European Union and is conducted in collaboration with the Inter-Religious Commission of the Catholic Church as well as the Malta Ecumenical Council and with the support of a number of local faith communities.
The videos may be accessed online.