Petr Svoboda returned to Australia after working in Thailand, and joined the Melbourne organising team for the 2009 Parliament of the World’s Religions held in Melbourne, 3 – 9 December 2009. Here, Petr Svoboda reflects on the fruits born from the 2009 Parliament of the World’s Religions.
Just over 10 years ago in I spent 6 months working in Thailand for Spirit in Education Movement, an NGO established by a famous Thai activist and engaged Buddhist Sulak Sivaraksa. I was drawn to work for Sulak because his work brings together people from across Asia from many religious traditions. It was in Thailand that I got my first real sense of the practical benefits of interfaith work. We built long-lasting relationships that create resilient and peaceful communities.
Petr Svoboda at the Melbourne Parliament Offices in CollingwoodComing back to Melbourne, I felt inspired to continue this work. After a brief job search, I found myself in my first real job out of uni working on the Australian team organising the Parliament of the World’s Religions. We hoped to bring almost 10,000 people from across the world to Melbourne in December 2009. I was part of a small team of passionate people who had deep personal and professional links in the Australian Aboriginal, Christian, Buddhist, Baha’i, Muslim and many other spiritual communities in Australia, Asia and the US. I had two wonderful bosses who were Prof Des Cahil, a former Catholic priest and my American boss who practised the Wicca faith.
Ten years since the 2009 Parliament I am still meeting and working with people I met during my 18 months organising this event. Last year I was lucky enough to work with Sandy Kouroupidis whom I met organising the 2009 Parliament. Sandy has been a tireless interfaith advocate and key staff behind the Faith Communities Council of Victoria that works with local interfaith networks to organise annual interfaith forums. Together with colleagues from the Brimbank and Maribyrnong Interfaith Networks, we organised 2018 Victorian Interfaith Networks conference hosted in Sunshine which brings together around 300 people annually.
Just last week I was invited to a video conference to speak to a group of students in Singapore. The invitation came from Saiful Anuar who I met in 2008 in Manila when we both attended the Asian Conference of Religions for Peace where I promoted the 2009 Parliament. This small workshop reminded me of the importance of keeping up the effort and educating new generations about the benefits of interfaith work in our communities.
I am sure will continue drawing on the personal and professional relationships I have developed organising the 2009 Parliament of the World’s Religions in the coming years.
Petr Svoboda Petr Svoboda (second from the left) in a symposium with the Dalai Lama – at the Melbourne Parliament of Religions, 2009 At the end of the symposium with the Dalai Lama – at the Melbourne Parliament of Religions, 2009 Symposium participants garlanded with stoles blessed by the Dalai Lama – at the Melbourne Parliament of Religions, 2009 Senior Wurundjeri elder of the Kulin Nations, Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin presents gumleaf array with koala bear to the Dalai Lama – at the Melbourne Parliament of Religions, 2009 The XIV Dalai Lama addresses the Closing Plenary – at the Melbourne Parliament of Religions, 2009 Children on stage unfurl the Parliament Flag with the Dalai Lama – at the Melbourne Parliament of Religions, 2009 Protect the Only Earth We Have – the last event of the Melbourne Parliament of Religions, 2009
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