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Blair begins school faith scheme Blair begins school faith scheme
(about 2 hours later)
Tony Blair is launching a worldwide education programme which aims to help secondary school students of different faiths learn from each other.Tony Blair is launching a worldwide education programme which aims to help secondary school students of different faiths learn from each other.
The former UK prime minister wants to encourage pupils aged 11-16 to link up by internet and video conferencing.The former UK prime minister wants to encourage pupils aged 11-16 to link up by internet and video conferencing.
The Tony Blair Faith Foundation's Face To Faith project has been accredited as part of an international GCSE.The Tony Blair Faith Foundation's Face To Faith project has been accredited as part of an international GCSE.
The launch will include a video discussion between pupils in Lancashire, the West Bank and India.The launch will include a video discussion between pupils in Lancashire, the West Bank and India.
'Unique opportunity''Unique opportunity'
Students from Westhoughton High School, a specialist technology college in Bolton, will link up with counterparts in New Delhi and Bethlehem at the scheme's launch event.Students from Westhoughton High School, a specialist technology college in Bolton, will link up with counterparts in New Delhi and Bethlehem at the scheme's launch event.
As part of the programme, piloted across the world, pupils will explore faith's relationship with a series of topics, including charity, poverty, wealth, the environment, art, architecture, music and sacred scriptures.As part of the programme, piloted across the world, pupils will explore faith's relationship with a series of topics, including charity, poverty, wealth, the environment, art, architecture, music and sacred scriptures.
It is only by discussing different cultural and religious perspectives that young people can build their awareness of the role of faith in today's world Former Prime Minister Tony BlairIt is only by discussing different cultural and religious perspectives that young people can build their awareness of the role of faith in today's world Former Prime Minister Tony Blair
Mr Blair, who is also a Middle East peace envoy, said: "The Face To Faith programme provides students with a unique opportunity to interact across continents, to talk about their own faith, and learn more about other religions and cultures.Mr Blair, who is also a Middle East peace envoy, said: "The Face To Faith programme provides students with a unique opportunity to interact across continents, to talk about their own faith, and learn more about other religions and cultures.
"It is only by discussing different cultural and religious perspectives that young people can build their awareness of the role of faith in today's world.""It is only by discussing different cultural and religious perspectives that young people can build their awareness of the role of faith in today's world."
Annika Small, director of education for the foundation, said the project would help students gain a "deeper understanding of their own beliefs and world views as well as those of others".Annika Small, director of education for the foundation, said the project would help students gain a "deeper understanding of their own beliefs and world views as well as those of others".
Mr Blair, who recently became a Roman Catholic, launched the faith foundation last year with the aim of tackling global poverty, challenging conflict and uniting the world's religions. Mr Blair, who became a Roman Catholic in December 2007, launched the faith foundation last year with the aim of tackling global poverty, challenging conflict and uniting the world's religions.