Religious leaders keep vision of peace alive on Korean Peninsula

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Participants of the Steering group meeting of the Ecumenical Forum for Peace on the Korean PeninsulaEven as international tension mounts, religious leaders from North and South Korea renewed their exchange during a December meeting that kept the push for peace alive. Members of the Steering Committee of the Ecumenical Forum for Peace, Reunification and Cooperation on the Korean Peninsula – including delegations from the Korean Christian Federation (KCF) of North Korea and of the National Council of Churches in South Korea (NCCK) – met in Shenyang, China, on 2-3 December 2019.

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Interfaith group delivers message to COP25

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Rev. Henrik Grape, moderator of the WCC working group on climate changeIf we should be true to our faith, we cannot be quiet when we see what is happening,” reads the declaration of the Interfaith Liaison Committee to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to the United Nations climate change summit COP25 taking place in Madrid, Spain, 2-13 December. “We are voices that are driven by hope and compassion. In a most urgent situation to bend the emissions down faith traditions must contribute to the urgent transformation.”

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Rome: Call for urgent action to tackle and overcome climate change

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cop25-logoBrussels, December 10, 2019 (COMECE / CIDSE). Catholic Church leaders from across all continents, who gathered recently at the Vatican for the Synod of Bishops on Amazonia, have issued a call from the Synod for urgent action to tackle and overcome climate change.

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Citizenship Bill in India threatens status of Muslims

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USCIRF LogoWASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is deeply troubled by the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB), originally introduced by Home Minister Amit Shah, in the Lok Sabha – the lower house of the Indian Parliament. The bill has the potential to remove citizenship from Muslims on religious grounds.

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Citizenship Amendment Bill: India’s new ‘anti-Muslim’ law causes uproar

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Citizenship Amendment BillIndia’s government has tabled a bill in parliament which offers amnesty to non-Muslim illegal immigrants from three neighbouring countries. The controversial bill seeks to provide citizenship to religious minorities in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

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16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – Day 16

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The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global initiative running from 25 November through 10 December, annually.   Violence against women and racism have powerful impacts on the mental health of those who are on the receiving end. Next time you see someone being harassed because of their gender or race, say … Read more

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – Day 15

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Respect Victoria - 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global initiative running from 25 November through 10 December, annually.   Violence against women cannot be treated as ‘normal’, maintaining a culture of machismo blind to the leading role that women play in our communities. It is not right to look the other way and … Read more

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – Day 14

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Respect Victoria - 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Veda and respect for women

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global initiative running from 25 November through 10 December, annually.   “From ancient times, the feminine aspect of the Divine has been worshipped in various ways. The Veda declares that where women are honoured and esteemed, there divinity is present with all its potency. Unfortunately … Read more

The Fruits of the 2009 Parliament of the World’s Religions

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Melbourne Parliament of Religions Logo

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.

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16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – Day 13

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Respect Victoria - 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global initiative running from 25 November through 10 December, annually.   Gender-based violence is an ancient sin that for thousands of years has harmed countless women, children and men. It is a sin that Christians need to recognize, understand and confront, for our religious history … Read more

The 2009 Parliament: Pre-Parliament Events

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Melbourne Parliament of Religions Logo
In 2008, the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions invited cities around the world to join in the movement building up to the Parliament of the World’s Religions held in Melbourne, Australia from December 3 – 9, 2009. In the 18 months leading up to the 2009 Parliament over 90 regional interfaith celebrations were held in more than 60 cities around the world.

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Australian Government to return three stolen religious artefacts to India

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Nagaraja statue When Prime Minister Scott Morrison visits India in January 2020, he will take with him three stolen artefacts (statues) from the National Gallery of Australia (Canberra). The National Gallery of Australia is voluntarily returning pieces procured unethically. These include a pair of dvarpalas (door guardians) from 15th century Tamil Nadu, and a statue of Nagaraja (serpent king), believed to be from 6th to 8th century Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh.

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16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – Day 12

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Respect Victoria, Respect Victoria campaign against gender based violence

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global initiative running from 25 November through 10 December, annually.   In Hinduism there is prevalent worship of God as Mother. Thus, each woman is considered a manifestation of the Divine Mother. In the words of Swami Vivekananda, “It is not possible for a bird … Read more

Victoria: Christmas and Islam

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Islamic Museum of Australia logoAs people rush for last-minute Christmas gifts in shopping venues across Australia in a seasonal expenditure expected to reach billions of dollars, Muslims in Australia have mixed feelings about the festive season. You can visit the Islamic Museum of Australia and join in the conversation about Muslims and Christmas on 12 December at 12pm… this talk is for both Muslims and non-Muslims.

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The 2009 Parliament: The Spirit within Australian Contemporary Art

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Religious Scriptures and Symbols at the 2009 Parliament of the World's ReligionsAt the 2009 Parliament of the World’s Religions held in Melbourne, Australia, one of the events was an art exhibition titled “The Spirit within Australian Contemporary Art“. This was curated by by Rosemary Crumlin RSM and Helen Light and nobly assisted by the Parliament’s Art Committee – Rev. Helen Summers.

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16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – Day 11

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The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global initiative running from 25 November through 10 December, annually.   Muhammad was orphaned at an early age. He once remarked that, “Heaven lies at the feet of mothers.” As the father of four daughters in a society that prized sons, he told other fathers … Read more

The 2009 Parliament: Making a World of Difference

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Melbourne Parliament of Religions LogoThe 2009 Parliament of the World’s Religions, held in Melbourne, Australia from December 3-9, 2009, brought together 6,500 participants representing over 2OO religions and spiritual traditions from over 80 countries.

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Spain: Interfaith Dialogue for Hope and Action

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Interfaith Dialogue in Madrid Spain - COP25 - for Climate ChangeRepresentatives from multiple faith and religious backgrounds came together in Madrid, Spain on 1 December to find common ground in preparation for the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP) 25 in Madrid, Spain.

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