© Edmonton Interfaith Centre for Education and Action 2010
Walking Together is an experiential program for fifth - seventh graders and their
parents. Its aim is to teach appreciation of the religious - and other - differences which
are found in our community.
Walking Together's Goals:
* To strengthen the positive relationship between children and their parents.
* To encourage children and their parents to interact with and get to know people of different faiths in positive ways.
* To enable the children and their parents to understand the similarities between different faith expressions.
* To allow the children and their parents to appreciate the differences of the religions which form our community.
The program also aims to create positive relationships both between adults and children from the different religious
expressions, and also between parents and children as they together learn the importance of tolerance and
understanding.
There are many programs that focus on prejudice and intolerance. The programs most often approach these topics
from a negative point of view. Our program, on the other hand, approaches these topics from a positive angle. We
believe that if we catch the children early enough, then they will be receptive to our message. Walking Together
focuses on the values of appreciation and respect, creating positive reinforcement and tools which will enable the
students to avoid the pitfalls of intolerance and hatred as they reach their teen years.
Walking Together is hosted in houses of worship throughout the community. The entire program lasts nine hours
and is divided into three, three-hour sessions usually held over three weeks. During these sessions, students and
parents learn of the similarities which unite us and differences which help to form our diverse community.