NSW: Zero tolerance regarding safety and security at religious institutions

Zero tolerance regarding safety and security at religious institutionsA re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $10 million over four years to boost safety and security for faith communities.

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NSW: Buddhist Studies March Seminar

The Australasian Association for Buddhist Studies notifies that its next seminar will be a hybrid event, both Face-to-Face and Zoom on Thursday 9 March at 6:30pm (CAEST). The topic will be Buddhist theory of conditional genesis and social healing approach towards post conflict reconciliation.

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NSW: Climate Change Conversation – Climate Migration

How Will Climate Migration Reshape Our World

How Will Climate Migration Reshape Our World? Find out in a Climate Change Conversations at the University of NSW on Thursday 9 March, 6:30 pm at the Kensington Campus UNSW Roundhouse.

The UNSW Centre for Ideas, Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law and Adelaide Writers’ Week invite you to join in a conversation about climate change, its impacts on human displacement and solutions.

The UN Secretary-General has warned that the climate crisis is on track to prompt ‘a mass exodus of entire populations on a biblical scale’.

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Sharing Activity Responding to Domestic Violence

RfPA Green Logo

On 25 November 2022 – in observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – Religions for Peace Australia invited faith communities to share strategies taken up for the prevention of violence against women. On this page, we share the work of Deacon Oliver Slewa, Program Manager, Domestic Violence, New South Wales Ecumenical Council.

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Domestic violence in the church – guiding survivors to healing and hope

Domestic and Family Violence
Justice for women is a gospel issue

“Take a stand for the survivor, challenge the abuser and contest dismissive attitudes, while always seeking the safety, sanity and dignity of the survivor with your words and behaviour.”

This quote is from Renew, an Australian Guide for Christian Women Survivors of Domestic Abuse, published by Anglicare, which aims to be a helpful resource for survivors and for those who walk alongside them.

“It’s a place that they can find helpful, practical information,” says Lynda Dunstan, Anglicare Family and Domestic Violence Adviser, who is the Australian Editor of Renew, an adaptation of Restored, UK’s handbook for Christian women survivors of domestic abuse.

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Buddhist friends launch Social Buddy

Buddhist friends launch Social BuddyA group of Buddhist friends including Daniel Troyak from Buddhist Counselling and Ada Lee from Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association have joined together to address loneliness and social isolation in our community. This is by no means an easy feat, but this enthusiastic and committed group believe they can make changes through cooperation and empowerment.

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NSW: Public Display of Nazi Symbols Banned

Nazi symbol banned in NSW

A new law has passed in Parliament making it a criminal offence to knowingly display a Nazi symbol in public without reasonable excuse. The new offence, Crimes Amendment (Prohibition on Display of Nazi Symbols) Bill 2022, falls under the Crimes Act 1900.

The NSW government’s decision to criminalise the use of Nazi symbols echoes the Victorian government’s decision made at the end of June.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of 12 months imprisonment or an $11,000 fine, or both, for an individual. It carries a fine of $55,000 for a corporation.

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Josie Lacey honoured in NSW State Parliament

Josie Lacey honoured in NSW State ParliamentConvenor of the NSW Branch of Religions for Peace, Josie Lacey AM, has been honoured in the NSW parliament for her service to the community and to interfaith activities. NSW Labor frontbencher Walt Secord has hosted a special event at State Parliament where he addressed the parliament paying tribute to Jewish communal leader Josie Lacey.

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NSW: Interfaith Symposium – Faith, Social Cohesion and Community Resilience

Religions for Peace InternationalAffinity Intercultural Foundation and Macquarie University recently conducted an interfaith symposium “Faith, Social Cohesion and Community Resilience” addressing issues around faith communities and the experience of Covid-19. Moderator of the Asian Conference on Religions for Peace (and President, Religions for Peace Australia) Emeritus Professor Des Cahill gave one address to the symposium on the topic of COVID-19: Impact, Responses, Learnings and Ongoing Challenges for the World’s Faith Communities in Australia.

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10th anniversary of the NSW chapter of Religions for Peace

The NSW Branch of Religions for Peace Australia celebrates 10 years – a decade of holding its events and proceedings in the State Parliament. Talks are given by Hon. Walt Secord, Shadow Minister, and Peter Wertheim, co-Chief Executive Officer, Executive Council of Australian Jewry

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NSW to create religious advisory council as part of $28m multicultural funding boost

NSW Multicultural funding

A religious advisory council will be established as part of funding set aside for multicultural communities in the upcoming NSW state budget.

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said the initiative is not about conducting an “audit” of faith-based institutions, but “ensuring our religious communities feel safe”.

“This will ensure that our faith-based institutions will have a voice around the table,” he said while making the funding announcement in Sydney on Friday.

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NSW: International Day of Yoga Celebrations 2022

International Day of Yoga - United Nations LogoInternational Yoga Day is celebrated worldwide on 21 June of each year. Yoga is an ancient tradition which has many applications. Individuals practice yoga all over the world, and gain benefit the asana poses and excercises bestow. The United Nations proclaimed International Day of Yoga in 2014. This year Art of Living Sydney in collaboration with Consulate General of India celebrates the 8th International Day of Yoga on 25th June, 2022

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