Abstract The article sketches the overall layout of the thematic issue of the 'Journal of Religion and Transformation in Contemporary Societies (JRAT)' on Interreligious Dialogue (IRD) in context. It argues that an analysis of interreligious dialogue activities in their socio-cultural contexts helps to counterbalance the long-standing individualistic bias of IRD-research. First, it presents a systematic description of the present state of the art that distinguishes two strands of IRD-research. Second, it argues for a European comparison, based upon most recent findings from the 'SMRE – Swiss Metadatabase of Religious Affiliation in Europe'. The article is based on the research "Intercultural and interreligious dialogue to promote the culture of peace in unaccompanied foreign youth and minors (MENA) in Barcelona and Melilla" (RTI2018-095259-B-I00 / MCIU / AEI / FEDER, EU) and closes with references to the structure of the present volume of JRaT to facilitate such a comparison.
Cultural diversity, fruit of migratory processes and other globalizingelements, draws social scenes in which new religious manifestationsinvite us to engage in an interreligious dialogue. NGOs, civilassociations, religious communities, political parties, individualindividuals, such as the different levels of government, local,regional, national or international, should be committed to ademocratic management of cultural and religious diversity.This article presents partial results on projects carried outby Catalan entities linked to intercultural and interreligiousdialogue aimed at young people. Methodologically, a descriptivecomprehensivestudy was carried out through 23 semi-structuredand individual interviews with professionals from different entities.Numerous projects on interreligious and intercultural dialogueaimed at youth have been detected. Specifically, three differenttypes have been identified: projects oriented towards knowledgeand expression of religious diversity in the public space; projectsfrom a non-denominational perspective; and, cross-cutting projectsof socio-political empowerment and awareness.In conclusion, although there is greater sensitivity for interculturalmotivations in general, sensitivity to the religious fact is to wakeup in terms of social mobilization. However, both from UNESCOitself and from the movements of interreligious dialogue, spaces formeeting such diversity are provided. ; La diversidad cultural, fruto de los procesos migratorios y otros elementos globalizadores, dibuja escenarios sociales en los que nuevas manifestaciones religiosas nos invitan a entablar un diálogo interreligioso. ONGs, asociaciones civiles, comunidades religiosas, partidos políticos, individuos particulares, como los diferentes niveles de gobierno, locales, regionales, nacionales o internacionales, deberían estar comprometidos con una gestión democrática de la diversidad cultural y religiosa. Este artículo presenta resultados parciales sobre proyectos que realizan las entidades catalanas vinculadas al diálogo intercultural e interreligioso dirigido a los y las jóvenes. Metodológicamente se ha procedido a través de un estudio descriptivo-comprensivo mediante 23 entrevistas semi-estructuradas e individuales a profesionales procedentes de entidades diversas. Se han detectado numerosos proyectos sobre el diálogo interreligioso e intercultural dirigido a la juventud. Concretamente se han identificado tres tipologías distintas: proyectos orientados al conocimiento y expresión de la diversidad religiosa en el espacio público; proyectos desde una perspectiva aconfesional; y, proyectos transversales de concienciación y empoderamiento sociopolítico. En conclusión, si bien hay mayor sensibilidad por las motivaciones interculturales en general, la sensibilidad hacia el hecho religioso está por despertar en cuanto a movilización social. Sin embargo, tanto desde la propia UNESCO como desde los movimientos de diálogo interreligioso, se facilitan espacios de encuentro de dicha diversidad.
Specialist fostering is among several new forms of foster care being introduced in Spain. It recently provided the focus of an evaluative research study carried out by the autonomous administration in Catalonia and the University of Barcelona. Pere Amorós, Montse Freixa, Nuria Fuentes and Mari Cruz Molina provide a summary of the principal advances in foster care, as well as an analysis of the problems encountered, and outline proposals for the improvement of the specialist service.
