The offer of training and research in university theology and religious studies in the Upper Rhine area is particularly extensive and diversified, with longstanding historical foundations. This geographical area concentrates all the tools in order to respond effectively to the challenges posed by the cohabitation between the religions.
Project leader
The INTER-RELIGIO project is supported by the University of Strasbourg, France.
This synergetic effort was undertaken by Francis Messner, Emeritus Research Director at the Joint Research Unit for Law, Religions, Business and Society (DRES) and a registered professor at the University of Strasbourg, following a long term effort on the relationship between law, religion and society.
University of Strasbourg
Certified for the second time in 2016 by excellence initiatives (IDEX), the University of Strasbourg awards degrees in the history of religions, canon law, Catholic theology, Protestant theology, law of religions and Hebrew studies.
The University of Strasbourg has, on account of the existence of a local Alsatian-Moselle law, a faculty of Catholic theology and a faculty of Protestant theology.
In 2009, it opened a Master’s degree in Islamology, which reinforces its unique position in the teaching and research landscape, since there are currently very few courses for this theme in France.
In addition, the Faculty of Historical Sciences in Strasbourg offers the History and Religious Studies option, a rare university course that combines different subjects concerning the historical and social sciences of religions.
The INTER-RELIGIO project is supported by the joint research unit ‘Droit, Religion, Entreprise et Société’ (DRES) located at the University of Strasbourg.
The University of Strasbourg, a unique centre of competence in France in the field of sciences and the law of religions, brings together teachers and researchers from all disciplines around the INTER-RELIGIO project in order to pool their unpublished knowledge and know-how.
Go to the website of the University of Strasbourg
Co-funding partners
The University of Heidelberg and the University of Tübingen in Germany, as well as the University of Basel in Switzerland, are co-funding partners of the project. Taking full advantage of the university consortium, these institutions will offer the training offers on their sites and participate in all the actions developed within the framework of the INTER-RELIGIO project.
The University of Heidelberg and the University of Basel use their knowledge in Protestant and Religious Studies as well as Jewish studies through the involvement of specialist teachers in these fields.
University of Heidelberg
Resolutely interdisciplinary, the University of Heidelberg, which enjoys the support of the excellence initiatives created by the federal state and the Länder, has among its components a very old and prestigious faculty of Protestant theology.
This university offers an important contribution to the project, due to the excellence of its work, notably in the area of ecumenism, but also through its close relationship with the Jewish Institute of Heidelberg.
Go to the website of the University of Heidelberg
University of Basel
The Faculty of Protestant Theology of the University of Basel, in collaboration with the Faculty of Philosophy and History, offers a course in Religious Studies that integrates Hebrew studies.
Go to the website of the University of Basel
uNIVERSITY OF tÜBINGEN
The first department of Islamic theology in Germany opened in 2012 at the University of Tübingen with a grant from the German Federal Ministry of Higher Education and Research.
Tübingen is the only public university adjacent to the territory of the Upper Rhine to teach Muslim theology.
The participation of the Islamic Studies Centre in the INTER-RELIGIO project is a major asset for the contribution of recognised specialists in this field of research.
Go to the website of the University of Tübingen
Associated partners
Two associated partners in Germany are participating in the INTER-RELIGIO project through their contributions in complementary knowledge and know-how: the University of Fribourg and the Heidelberg Institute for Jewish Studies
University of FRibourg
The University of Fribourg also benefits from the economic support of the initiatives of excellence that led to the creation of an Institute for Advanced Studies, the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS), which hosts a research programme on religious studies.
The faculty of Catholic theology at the University of Fribourg offers an international training programme on relations between the Church and society, an expertise that will support the INTER-RELIGIO project.
Go to the website of the University of Fribourg
Heidelberg Instiute of Jewish Studies
Heidelberg Institute of Jewish Studies (HfJS) is a centre for postgraduate and research studies that integrates all facets of religion, history, cultures and Jewish societies into its training offer.
Recognised as a unique private institution of excellence in Europe, the HfJS, founded in 1979, is accredited by the German Federal Government.
The participation of this institute, which is defined as a place of dialogue between the Jewish, Christian and Muslim religions, will be precious for the INTER-RELIGIO project, especially as the HfJS collaborates closely with Heidelberg University, financing co-partner of the project.
Go to Heidelberg Institute of Jewish Studies website
Other bodies
Several other public bodies are linked to the development of INTER-RELIGIO, either by financial support or by individual investment within the project.
The Upper Rhine INTERREG V programme
The Upper Rhine INTERREG V programme, developed by the European Union, supports the INTER-RELIGIO project, making it possible to develop the actions planned by co-financing in the European Regional Development Funds.
In addition to financial support, the authorities of the programme work jointly with the INTER-RELIGIO team and ensure the success of the project.
Learn more about the INTERREG programme
The canton of Basel-Stadt, the canton of Basel-Country and the Regio Basiliensis
Outside the European Union, the University of Basel in Switzerland cannot benefit from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) contribution for projects carried out by member countries.
The University of Basel has turned to local authorities in Switzerland: the cantons of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Country, as well as the Inter-Cantonal Coordination Service of the Regio-Basiliensis, which will subsidise the INTER-RELIGIO project for three years.