Religions for Peace Australia will conduct the 2025 Annual General Meeting in Melbourne on Wednesday 11 June 2025. The Guest Speaker is Laura Giassetti of the Australian Catholic Anti-Slavery Network. Laura Giassetti is the Remediation Services Manager and Program Manager for Domus 8.7, an agency of the Australian Catholic Anti-Slavery Network (ACAN). Her topic will address ‘Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery’.
In discussions surrounding Islamic theology, one concept often emerges as the cornerstone of understanding: Tawhid. Commonly translated as “Divine Oneness,” this term encapsulates the essence of Islamic belief in a singular, all-encompassing God. However, a more nuanced interpretation of Tawhid, as for example noted by Sachiko Murata in her excellent book “The Tao of Islam”, reveals the core idea to be about recognising Divine unity in multiplicity. This perspective invites a deeper exploration of Tawhid, moving beyond a simplistic understanding that often juxtaposes it against Christian Trinitarian theology, which some Muslim scholars erroneously label as tritheism.
Bishop Philip Huggins found himself swimming with dolphins, some mornings back. He shares reflections on the wonder of creation – both here and in the Antarctic – where life is flourishing, and when children take extra special care not to foul the waters of life. David Attenborough – at the grand age of 100 years – released a new film to inspire us of the resilience of nature and creation itself. Bishop Huggins shares his vulnerability and questions about attending an Intersessional event of the UN Climate Change Conferences in Bonn, in June of 2025. He is reminded of TS Eliot’s poem The Journey of the Magi – and the hard coming they had. Must the UNFCCC COP process be so fraught with challenges? What will Australia’s role be?
The UNFCCC Interfaith Liaison Committee has drafted an Interfaith Call to Action – which faith bodies will be asked to sign on — and be presented to to the COP 30 Climate Change Conference at Belém, Brazil, in November of 2025.
COP30 will place significant focus on the Just Transition Work Programme, scheduled for review in 2026. This programme addresses the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
The Just Transition Work Programme is the only negotiation track under the Paris Agreement that explicitly connects socioeconomic justice with climate action.
For many Christian women experiencing domestic and family violence, the journey to safety is not only painful—it is spiritually complex. Women have found themselves standing at a heartbreaking crossroads, asking: Have I chosen safety at the expense of my faith? When have I chosen ‘faith’ at the expense of my safety? These are the questions Common Grace will consider online, on Thursday 29 May 2025 from 7:00pm.
The Interfaith Matters! Forum and Multifaith SA join together to provide an Interfaith Harmony event at the Baha’i Centre, Flinders St, Adelaide on Saturday 17 May from 2:30pm. The theme for this event is Many Faiths, One Community – Interfaith Harmony for All.
Bishop Philip Huggins reflects on the call to empathy that St. Peter experienced after the Resurrection of Jesus. Do we in Australia experience any call to empathy for those children, suffering, in Gaza? A visit to the Children’s Garden at the Melbourne Botannical Gardens prompts reflections on the Global Gardens for Peace and the needs of Gaza, amid multifaith collaboration and cooperation here in Australia.
Understanding early Islam not as a radical departure but as a significant development within the rich religious landscape of late antique Arabia is paramount for a more accurate and nuanced interpretation of the Qur’an.
In the spirit of Nostra Aetate, the Australian Council of Christians and Jews sends greetings to Pope Leo XIV. This election of Pope Leo inspires hope that he will continue to foster mutual respect and understanding between Catholics and the Jewish community.
Religions for Peace gladly welcomes the election of His Holiness Pope Leo XI. Our multi-religious organization looks forward to exploring opportunities for collaboration with his Pontificate in our shared pursuit of a just and peaceful world for all. We offer our prayers and support as His Holiness embarks on this pastoral leadership. May divine wisdom and grace guide his path always.
The Interfaith Liaison Committee to the UNFCCC is organising a webinar series of Talanoa Dialogues and invites all interested individuals and interfaith organisations to attend and co-develop the Interfaith Talanoa Call to Action towards COP30. The final session will be held on Wednesday, May 7th when the Interfaith Liaison Committee to the UNFCCC will launch the Interfaith Call to Action for 2025.