New partnership to celebrate and develop interfaith work in Leicester

Students and staff at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) will benefit from closer links with one of the country’s leading inter-faith organisations.



St Philips Centre in Leicester, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, is dedicated to building understanding and friendships between different faiths and cultures.

It works to tackle prejudice and ignorance head on through training programmes and community engagement. Its work has been nominated for national and European awards.

This week The Very Rev David Monteith, Dean of Leicester, chair of trustees, signed a new agreement with DMU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dominic Shellard for the two organisations to work more closely together.

Students will be able to volunteer for community projects while Frontrunners – DMU’s paid internships which give valuable experience to students – will offer roles in inter-faith work as part of #DMUlocal, the university's programme to support work to benefit people across Leicester.

DMU will also work alongside St Philip’s Centre on its Near Neighbours project, which offers funding to communities to develop joint projects, while academic research will strengthen future funding bids. A programme of joint lectures will examine key issues for society and faith.

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Professor Dominic Shellard, Vice-Chancellor of De Montfort University, said: “As one of the most diverse campuses in the country, DMU recognises the value of creating an inclusive environment which embraces all cultures and faiths and where everyone feels able to be themselves.
 
“DMU has enjoyed a superb relationship with St Philip’s Centre for many years, and we are pleased to enhance existing and provide new opportunities for our students to engage in joint initiatives.”

Dean Monteith said that DMU was a trailblazer for diversity issues and like St Philip’s Centre, was committed to creating a culture of trust, co-operation and understanding for all faiths and communities.  

He said: “We look forward to this partnership growing and to making a real difference to lives in our city and county.”

Among those at the event were students, representatives of DMU Gospel Choir, the Rev Dr Tom Wilson, director of St Philip’s, Riaz Ravat BEM DL, deputy director of St Philip’s,  Coun Manjula Sood, assistant city mayor, and Resham Singh Sandhu MBE DL.
 
Earlier this year DMU launched its DMU Freedom spelling out the university’s values and belief that people should be treated equally regardless of race, sex, faith or gender.