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Protection of
Conscience
In Public Education
Highlights
| Iain Benson Speech | Summary Of Forum | |
| Craig Jones Speech | Pictures From Forum | |
| Jinny Sims Speech | PDF Files For Download |
Response
Article By Myra Ottewell
Summary of Forum:
The purpose of the panel discussion was
to examine protection of conscience issues in public education from different
perspectives. Each of the three panel participants brought their own analysis to
the topic. A recurrent theme was the proper relationship between the state and
the individual. Craig Jones' approach was that of a civil libertarian who often
defends the rights of individual expression and conscience but is also concerned
about what serves the best interests of society as a whole. Jinny Sims
perspective as a teacher, school counselor and teachers' advocate (she is
presently 2nd Vice President of the BCTF) focused on the role of the public
school system in cultivating citizenship. Her presentation also raised the
balance / tension between individual and collective rights and responsibilities.
Iain Benson is a lawyer and executive director of the Centre for Cultural
Renewal and presented a position that emphasized the importance of religious or
spiritual liberty in a civil society that respects and serves the needs of
individuals and families. He also pointed out a number of cases which pose a
dilemma in the area of protecting individual conscience.
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PDF Files
Of Speeches For Download
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