Co-ordinator : Dr. Basira Hussen basira.hussen@unimore.it
In an increasingly interconnected world, the pursuit of a sustainable society requires the development of frameworks that balance human rights with religious diversity. This cluster explores the concept of sustainable secularism, a model of governance that promotes religious freedom while safeguarding human rights within a pluralistic state. Starting from the premise that sustainable secularismis essential for long-term social cohesion, the cluster will analyze how various legal systems reconcile religious practices with universal human rights standards. Particular attention will be given to the role of religion in public spaces, and how a sustainable approach to secularism can address contemporary challenges, such as the rise of religious extremism, the protection of minority beliefs, and the growing tensions between state neutrality and religious identity. Through a comparative lens, focusing on examples from both European and Middle Eastern legal traditions, the cluster will examine how different jurisdictions implement sustainable secularism in practice. By exploring the intersections between law, religion, and human rights, this cluster seeks to foster a deeper understanding of how states can ensure both freedom of religion and the protection of individual rights in a diverse society.
Books and articles:
- Basira Hussen, Islam politico e laicità: spunti dalle manifestazioni di Amburgo e oltre https://www.rivistadirittoereligioni.com/numero-1-2024basira-hussen-islam-politico-e-laicita-spunti-dalle-manifestazioni-di-amburgo-e-oltre/
CARTA DELLE BUONE PRASSI PER IL RISPETTO DELLA LIBERTÀ DI RELIGIONE E DI CONVINZIONE NEI LUOGHI DI LAVORO (“CARTA DI MODENA”)
A recent empirical study conducted by the Boniuk Institute at Rice University, led by Elaine Howard Ecklund, underscores how the inclusion of religious identity in diversity and inclusion policies not only enhances workplace culture but also fosters broader social cohesion. Based on over 15,000 surveys and 300 interviews—with particular attention to minority religious groups—the authors of Religion in a Changing Workplace (Oxford University Press, 2024) demonstrate that the workplace is a critical site of interreligious encounter. Allowing employees to freely express their beliefs improves well-being, fairness perceptions, and overall productivity. These findings offer a robust theoretical and empirical foundation for the Charter of Best Practices for the Respect of Freedom of Religion and Belief in the Workplace—also known as the Carta di Modena. Developed by the interdepartmental ORFECT Centre at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, under the direction of Prof. Vincenzo Pacillo and with key contributions from the “Sustainable Secularism” cluster led by Dr. Basira Hussen, the Charter promotes concrete measures for accommodating religious diversity in corporate governance.
The Charter directly responds to the requirements set by Legislative Decree 125/2024, which implements EU Directive 2022/2464 on corporate sustainability reporting. It offers practical tools to address both inside-out and outside-in materiality—by helping companies document their human rights impact and integrate religious inclusion into their value chain governance.Among the Charter’s proposals are provisions for recognizing religious holidays, providing meditation or prayer spaces, and implementing anti-discrimination policies. It also encourages contractual clauses for suppliers and ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance across the entire value chain.
Critically, the Charter has been officially included in the Italian National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism, reinforcing its role as a normative and practical instrument for safeguarding freedom of religion in the workplace. Through staff training, awareness-raising, and corporate engagement, the Modena Charter enables businesses to align ethical governance with legal obligations, while affirming the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia’s leadership in the promotion of intercultural inclusion and social sustainability.
Prof. Vincenzo Pacillo – vincenzo.pacillo@unimore.it
Dott.ssa Basira Hussen – basira.hussen@unimore.it
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