The University of Melbourne presents the 2020 Narrm Oration by Associate Professor Michael-Shawn Fletcher on the topic of Our Country, Our Way: How Indigenous people and knowledge can save Australia’s environmental and social unravelling. The Oration will be delivered online on Thursday 26 November 2020, at 6PM.
Sikh community celebrates first anniversary of the installation of ‘Ik Onkar’ sculpture in Victoria
Members of the Sikh community gathered in a small town in regional Victoria on Sunday to mark the completion of one year since the historic installation of the ‘Ik Onkar’ sculpture in a public space in Australia. The sculpture was installed in November 2019 to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. The sculpture was made to order by artist Iqbal Singh Gill from Punjab in India.
2020 Australian Refugee Association Oration: The Future is Intercultural
The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre (UniSA) and Australian Refugee Association (ARA) present the 2020 Oration, The Future is Intercultural. This oration will examine Australian capacity to interact across all cultures in a post-pandemic world. Intercultural competence will be explored in the Oration.
Human Rights Week 2020
In 2020 Human Rights Week will be a virtual program of human rights related events and activities, beginning on Thursday 3 December and ending on Thursday 10 December – International Human Rights Day.
Anyone can participate in Human Rights Week.
During this week, organisations, community groups and individuals across Victoria may host a virtual morning tea or lunch for their staff, a picnic in a park, others might have a film screening or invite a guest speaker, and some could host a workshop or training session to help their staff build their understanding of human rights.
The theme for Human Rights Week 2020 is ‘Rights in recovery’.
Cooler Earth – Higher Benefits
Celebrating International Children’s Day, the World Council of Churches has released a research paper “Cooler Earth – Higher Benefits: Actions by those who care about children, climate and finance.” The publication gives suggestions of how churches and other organisations around the world can respond to the climate emergency through investment decisions which are crucial to protect children from global warming.
Hindu Dharma Ambassador Course
The Hindu Council of Australia in collaboration with the Hindu American Foundation is offering an online course for Hindus to become Dharma Ambassadors and represent Hinduism cogently to family, friends and the community. The course – online – is free and commences on 28th November 2020, 10am to noon.
South Australia: November – December 2020
The Multifaith Association of South Australia lists interfaith events, climate events and faith festivals happening both locally in South Australia, and nationally, with internet participation – for the month of November 2020. For December 2020. Hope’s Cafe event Connecting across Cultures is attached, along with the screening of the 2040 Film and the conjunct Living the Change session.
River Above Asia Virtual Launch
Asia and Oceania share a common image in the ‘River Above’– the Pacific Ocean is the life, the river of Asia feeding all rivers, seasons and lives. The welfare of the lands and peoples is bound to the welfare of the seas.
The River Above Asia Oceania Ecclesial Network (RAOEN) seeks to serve the dialogue of integral living so that broader collaboration is possible and breadth and integrity of the ecology and territory are maintained.
The River Above Asia Oceania Ecclesial Network (RAOEN) are inviting you to the RAOEN Virtual Launch on 24 November, 3:00 p.m. (Philippine time)/ 7:00 p.m. (Fiji time) 18:00 Sydney (AEDT).
The swastika and the problem of cultural appropriation
Much confusion exists over use of the Swastika by the Third Reich. Nazi Germany appropriated an ancient sacred symbol for their own purposes. For thousands of years, this symbol has been used in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Many people brook no argument nor debate and refuse to accept the sacred origins of a symbol Nazi Germany has damaged. This continues to be a problem wherever this symbol is used in sacred settings, nearly 100 years later.
Far-right terrorist jailed for 12 years after plotting against ‘Muslims and lefties’ in Melbourne
A far-right terror plotter who was dobbed in by his own mates after making plans to wage war against “Muslims and lefties” has been jailed for 12 years. Phillip Galea, 36, was on Friday sentenced in Victoria’s Supreme Court and has to spend at least nine years behind bars before he is eligible for parole.
Galea has effectively been in solitary confinement for four years, so could be eligible for parole in just under five years. Galea was found guilty of plotting attacks on the Victorian Trades Hall and the Melbourne Anarchist Club. The judge said Galea showed “no remorse or contrition” for his offending.
Galea, who was a member of Reclaim Australia and the True Blue Crew, was found guilty of preparing for a terrorist act and making a document likely to facilitate a terrorist act.
Climate Action – Greenfaith
Greenfaith – in collaboration with many faith and inter-religious councils has recently conducted online gatherings for climate justice. You are invited to sign the climate justice statement and participate in world-wide multifaith climate action in March of 2021.
Symposium on Human Trafficking
Religions for Peace Japan will conduct an online symposium on the “Current Situation of Human Trafficking” on 24th November 2020, 14:00~17:00 (JST) (16:00 – 19:00 AEDT). Simultaneous translation will be available; all are welcome.
