A critical approach to worldview sources in the age of social media and AI
Study day for teachers of Roman Catholic religious education and Islam
The world of today’s pupils is shaped largely by online content and digital interactions. The endless stream of posts, reels, stories, TikToks and shorts is – just as it is for so many adults – their window on the world.
Online content in the classroom context
The influence of online content is becoming increasingly visible in the classroom: it fuels young people’s curiosity, but it also reinforces prejudices.
In religious education classes, this often gives rise to complex discussions about truth, interpretation and authority. The teacher is then faced with the difficult task of guiding pupils through the swamp of influencers, bite-sized content, centuries-old traditions and internal pluralism.
Critical questions about online content
This study day therefore focuses on critically engaging with worldview-inspired sources and online (fake) content. Particular attention will be given to questions such as:
- What stance can a teacher take towards online content relating to worldview-inspired sources? What are the pitfalls and the opportunities?
- How can a teacher today bear authentic witness, drawing on their own tradition?
- How can they handle contentious discussions, while remaining attentive to diversity, social cohesion and a sense of safety within the classroom?
Methodology
Through academic reflection and professional exchange with colleagues across the boundaries of the Roman Catholic and Islamic traditions, this study day aims to motivate and support teachers of religious and worldview education in addressing the many challenges they face in today’s classroom.
Organizers
This study day is organized by UCSIA in collaboration with the inspector-advisers for Roman Catholic religious education of the Dioceses of Antwerp and Ghent and the Archdiocese of Mechelen–Brussels, as well as the Flemish inspector-advisers for Islamic education (CIO).
Programme
9:00 CET
Welcome coffee
in the Pilgrim Room
9:30 CET
Welcome
in the Manresa Room
by Luc Braeckmans, Professor Emeritus, Department of Philosophy, University of Antwerp | Senior Advisor, UCSIA
9:35 CET
Reflection and introduction to the theme
by the inspector-advisors of the Centre for Islamic Education and the Flemish Catholic dioceses
9:50 CET
Who decides what is true? Critical young people and the new logic of information
Lecture by Edward De Vooght, Senior Researcher in Journalism, Youth and Public Debate, Artevelde University College
Where does the root of naivety lie when young people assess information? In this session, based on the results of Mediawijzer, we will look not only at what young people are already good at today, but also at the areas where they really struggle. And that might not be exactly where you’d expect it to be. Moreover, what changes when social media and AI increasingly determine which information young people see, how it is presented, and who is presented as a reliable source?
Edward De Vooght is a rhetorician and communication scientist and works as a senior researcher at Artevelde University College, within the Communication, Media and Design expertise network. His research focuses on the public debate and on how people deal with complex and contested information. He has contributed to research projects on news literacy and media literacy and is the author of a book (in Dutch) on critical thinking.
10:30 CET
Q&A
10:45 CET
Coffee break
in the Pilgrim Room
11:15 CET
Online opportunities and challenges for values-based learning in the classroom
Discussion with:
- Pieter Busschaert, Inspector, Evara | Lecturer, Howest
- Mohamed El Fadili, Lecturer, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences
Moderated by Luc Braeckmans, Professor Emeritus, Department of Philosophy, University of Antwerp & Senior Advisor, UCSIA
Pieter Busschaert (born 1988) is a father, deacon, theologian, lecturer and speaker. He is affiliated with Evara and lectures at various universities of applied sciences, such as Howest, where he teaches on the teacher training programme. In his work, he continually explores how faith and meaning can find a place in people’s everyday lives today, within the fields of education and care. He draws not so much on grand theories, but on stories, encounters and his own experiences, as he does in his book on TikTok Theology (2026).
Mohamed El Fadili is a lecturer in Islamic studies in the teacher training programme at Thomas More University of Applied Sciences. He is also the coordinator and co-author of the Sīra teaching method (published by Van In).
11:45 CET
Q&A
12:00 CET
Lunch & networking
in the Agora Caffee, Grote Kauwenberg 2, 2000 Antwerp
The lunch that is served is entirely vegetarian. Do you have any additional dietary requirements? Please let us know on the registration form after completing your payment, or email us.
13:30 CET
Reflection and dialogue session
in the Manresa Room
Discuss young people’s online world with colleagues, using case studies from the Roman Catholic and Islamic traditions.
(The information you share will be anonymised and will only be used in connection with this professional development day.)
14:30 CET
Coffee break
in the Pelgrim Room
15:00 CET
Reflection and dialogue session
in the Manresa Room
Discuss with colleagues the role of the religious education teacher in relation to young people’s online world, using case studies from the Roman Catholic and Islamic traditions.
16:00 CET
Closing remarks
by the inspector-advisors of the Centre for Islamic Education and the Flemish Catholic dioceses
16:15 CET
