On November 22, in the halls of the prefecture, we celebrated the graduation of the students of the sixth class of the DU Republic and Religions. The graduates received their sesame from Mr. Patrice Latron, prefect of La Réunion, Mr. Gilles Lajoie, representing the provisional administrator of the University of La Réunion and Mr. Thierry Malbert, educational manager of this training. They praised the career of these graduates who are particularly eager for knowledge and interpersonal skills.

This ceremony took place in the presence of the families of the graduates, trainers and teachers as well as partners of this DU.

Responding to a demand expressed by both public authorities and various religions, the University of La Réunion offers the university diploma (DU) “Republic and religions”. 

This DU opened for the first time in 2016, with the support of the Ministry of the Interior. It has been mandatory since 2017 for all prison and hospital chaplains, regardless of their faith. Aiming to meet the needs of today's society on subjects related to religions and secularism, it is part of the register of civic and civil training, training certified by the Office of Worship and the Office of Secularism of the Ministry of the Interior.

The training is aimed at all students interested in the subject, religious leaders of different faiths, leaders of religious associations, chaplains and ministers of worship who have recently arrived in France, secularism representatives as well as public officials keen to acquire the keys to a good understanding of religion and the standards governing religious institutions and activities within the framework of the values ​​of the French Republic and secularism.

The training program is divided into three parts:

• A first section entitled “Contextualized Approach to Religion in France and Reunion Island” gives students a global understanding of religious facts in France and Reunion Island through a historical and sociological approach.
• A second section entitled “Secularism and the legal approach to the religious question” is devoted to the legal approach to religious fact in the international, European, national and local framework.
• A third section entitled “Interreligious Dialogue and Mediation” aims to introduce students to the functioning of the Interreligious Dialogue Group and its role as a vector of social cohesion.

The educational manager is Mr. Thierry Malbert, university professor of anthropology at the LCF laboratory.

Skill developpement 

The training aims in particular to develop the following skills among students:

• Mastery of issues relating to the organization and management of religious organizations, religious associations and places of worship;
• Understanding the values ​​of the Republic and the framework of secularism in France

Its content is based on lessons on the history and religious sociology of France and its policies on integration or the major principles of religious law: secularism/neutrality, equality/non-discrimination, freedom of conscience and worship (freedom of religion) but also the private law of religions and in particular family law and labor law, the administrative law of religions and the standards governing the organization of religions: regime of religious associations, religious buildings, status of ministers of religion and taxation of religions with regard to the law on secularism.

Professor Thierry Malbert decorated as Knight of the National Order of Merit

Following the graduation ceremony for the DU: Republic and Religions, all the guests present in the salons of the prefecture gathered for a second important event; an appointment to one of the most prestigious orders of the Republic.

The Prefect presented the insignia of Knight of the National Order of Merit to Mr. Thierry Malbert, professor of anthropology at the University of La Réunion.

The coincidence of the calendar meant that this ceremony took place on the anniversary of the birth of General De Gaulle, founder of the National Order of Merit (ONM). This is a very good omen, said Mr. Patrice Latron, Prefect of La Réunion. This very good moment was shared with the students, trainers and training partners.