Faith and Belief Forum

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Faith and Belief Forum is a UK interfaith charity, formerly known as the Three Faiths Forum. It creates safe spaces in schools, universities, workplaces, and communities where people can explore beliefs and identity and meet others who are different. Its aim is to change attitudes for the better and build a connected society with strong, lasting relations across different faiths, beliefs, and cultures.

The charity started in London in 1997, founded by Sir Sigmund Sternberg, the Revd Dr Marcus Braybrooke, and Sheikh Zaki Badawi, with Sidney Shipton as coordinator. It began by bringing together Muslims, Christians, and Jews, but soon expanded to include people of all faiths and beliefs, including non-religious people. In 2018 it changed its name to Faith and Belief Forum to show its inclusive reach.

The Forum is led by chair Michael Sternberg and director Phil Champain, who has held the role since 2015. Youth programs are a key focus. The schools program began in 2004, followed by the ParliaMentors leadership program for university students in 2007. A Middle East branch started in 2008, and arts and culture projects began in 2009–2010 to strengthen community ties through the arts.

Its work includes interfaith workshops, school linking, and Amplify programs, all helping students and young people understand how belief and identity are lived today. The charity’s educational work has won awards such as the UN’s Intercultural Innovation Award and the Shap Award. ParliaMentors pairs university students of different faiths and beliefs with parliamentarians for a year to develop social action projects with NGO support.

The Faith and Belief Forum also offers training to LGBT+ groups to create inclusive spaces. Arts events connect people through music, performances, and visual arts. Projects like Urban Dialogues (2011–2014), the Mixed-Up Chorus, and the King’s Artist Salons bring together artists, academics, and campaigners to explore belief and conflict in the UK, often with support from King’s Cultural Institute. The Israel branch works to improve intercultural relations in humanities and healthcare.