The Faith Communities Council of Victoria, in collaboration with United Religions Initiative and Religions for Peace Australia (along with other participant organisations) will present an online event in observance of United Nations World Day of Peace. This event is being conducted as part of the Raising Peace Festival, 2024. The theme of this event is Faith leaders sharing their personal practices to maintain equilibrium / inner peace when working in a fractured world for peace. This presentation will be held online, on the afternoon of 15 September 2024 from 4pm. All welcome to attend and participate in this FREE event.
Australia
Imagining World Leaders – The Future we Seek
Bishop Philip Huggins calls us to imagine world leaders sitting together in stillness and silence, meditating, in preparation for deep and healing dialogue towards an enchanting and sustained world peace. There is a wisdom that says ‘what we can imagine, we can create!’
Togetherness: Sharing stories of peacebuilding in challenging times
On the afternoon of 8 September 2024, you are warmly invited to a special program online or in-person, titled: Togetherness: Sharing stories of peacebuilding in challenging time. Religions for Peace Australia presents this program in collaboration with the Brahma Kumaris.
Prayers in Parliament
Local Government – throughout Australia – has led the change in responsiveness to Australia’s changing religious profile, and changed the way prayers are conducted before governance meetings. This has been proposed for state and federal governments since 2004, in the Religion, Cultural Diversity and Safeguarding Australia report.
Hiroshima Day Roundtable
In collaboration with the UN Association of Australia and the Australian Institute of International Affairs (ACT), the University of Melbourne’s Initiative for Peacebuilding there will a hybrid event – a roundtable discussion – Hiroshima Day 6 August 2024 – A Summit of the Future.
Appointment of Israel lobbyist as antisemitism envoy will only drive further division
The Jewish Council of Australia is concerned at yesterday’s report of the government’s impending appointment of a pro-Israel advocate as a special envoy on antisemitism. The treatment of antisemitism as distinct from other forms of racism undermines the important work being done across racial lines to address all forms of racism.
Religions for Peace Australia 2024 Annual General Meeting
Religions for Peace Australia will conduct the 2024 Annual General Meeting in Canberra on Wednesday 12 June 2024. The Guest Speaker is Ms Anthea Hancocks of the Scanlon Foundation. The Scanlon Foundation partners with Monash University to deliver the annual Social Cohesion survey results. Ms Anthea Hancocks will give an address on Social Cohesion and Faith Communities.
Nurturing Critical Parenting Skills in Religious Instruction: Safeguarding Our Youths’ and Children’s Future
Dr Adis Duderija of Griffith University, writing in New Age Islam tells that while religion can provide a moral compass and a sense of purpose, it can also be misused to promote harmful ideologies and perpetuate dogma. there are many cases of youth becoming radicalised and carrying out acts of terrorism in the name of religion.
Harmony in the Home
Religions for Peace Australia has a mission statement. In that statement is the task to work through its networks for the well-being of vulnerable groups, including women and young people, and the well-being of the environment. In light of the current environment that is against the peace and well-being of women, Religions for Peace Australia gives one address toward the needs of our nation, this day, this age. We begin with Gandhi:
Where there is righteousness in the heart, There will be beauty in character;
Where there is beauty in character, there will be harmony in the home;
Where there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation;
Where there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world. (M.K. Gandhi)
Embracing Spiritual Diversity: A Path to Personal and Collective Growth
Dr Adis Duderija of Religions for Peace Australia, writing in New Age Islam tells that spirituality, at its essence, is not a call for homogeneity but an invitation to embrace the diversity within ourselves and in others. It is through this acceptance and celebration of diversity that personal and collective growth flourishes.
Immigration: Changes to the Minister of Religion Labour Agreement
Changes to the Minister of Religion Labour Agreement (MORLA) settings now allow religious institutions to sponsor overseas workers under the occupation Religious Assistant (ANZSCO 451816). This new initiative broadens visa sponsorship options that were formerly limited to the occupation of ‘Minister of Religion’.
Religions for Peace Statement on Assyrian Church Stabbing
The leadership team of Religions for Peace Australia (comprised of Buddhist, Christian, Quaker, Hindu, Muslim, Brahma Kumaris and Jewish faith leaders) have come together to consider the needs of our nation and the strengthening of social cohesion. Many issues have been exposed by this event. In faithful response, Religions for Peace Australia issues a call addressing faith community needs along with steps towards harmony and protection of the community.
