Associate Professor Jason Neelis from Wilfrid Laurier University is the holder of the 2023 University Buddhist Education Foundation (UBEF) Visiting Professorship in Buddhist Studies. As part of this Professorship, he will deliver a lecture series on floowi9ng Thursdays during October in the John Woolley Building at the University of Sydney.
News
Ecosystem for Peace
The effects of climate change, environmental degradation, and natural resource scarcity are increasingly exacerbating insecurity and conflict risks around the world. Successful implementation of the Paris Agreement will only be possible with a conflict sensitive and peace responsive approach. Peace, conflict prevention, and conflict sensitivity should be part of the official COP28 agenda, discussed in negotiations, and included in agreements or other outcome documents.
Mission Australia support for Voice to Parliament
Mission Australia believes that a Voice to Parliament enshrined in and protected by the Constitution is a vital first step to ensuring Reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous Australians.
Strengthening Christian Perspectives on Human Dignity and Human Rights
The World Council of Churches, the Protestant Church in Germany and the United Evangelical Mission, initiated a two-year process of ecumenical study and reflection on the relationship between human dignity and human rights from biblical, theological, and victims’ perspectives, culminating in a Conference on Christian Perspectives on Human Dignity and Humans Rights held in Wuppertal (Germany) and online.
Parramatta Bishop’s pastoral letter on the National Referendum on the Voice to Parliament
In his letter to the Catholics of the Parramatta Diocese, Bishop Long says the referendum “will be a critical moment in the life of our nation. It will have implications for what kind of society we want ourselves to be”. Bishop Long said, “Enabling our First Nations People to have a say on the issues that affect them is a matter of the heart, common sense and justice”.
Darwin Bishop Expresses His Support for a ‘Yes’ Vote in the Upcoming Referendum on the Voice
Darwin Bishop Charles Gauchi has spoken on the important topic of the Voice and the referendum. This is an important matter that needs a lot of reflection. It needs a lot of soul-searching. Bishop Gauchi tells, ”For some time now, I have been convinced that I will cast a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming Referendum on the Voice“.
Tension over church stances on Voice

Church leaders are being urged to prove their support for the Indigenous Voice despite the political risk of taking sides in the closing weeks of the referendum, amid concerns that some leaders are “hedging” after strongly backing the change earlier in the year.
The new call highlights questions over whether the nation’s peak faith groups will throw their active support behind the change to the Constitution when early voting begins next week, as some of their communities campaign for the Yes side.
South Australia: Interfaith Matters Forum
The Interfaith Matters Forum for September will be held on Wednesday, 27 September at the Pilgrim Church Hall, Adelaide, commencing at 6pm, The topic for this forum is Reflecting on The Spirit and The Voice – how do our values guide our intentions?
Women, Conscription, War
Five years in the making, Women, Conscription and War brings to life the experiences of Melbourne women protesting the Vietnam War and national service. Almost sixty women tell their stories on this audio documentary series.
Muslim Celebrity Preachers Must Be Held Accountable not Rewarded for Their Harmful Views
Dr Adis Duderija is a Senior Lecturer in the Study of Islam and Society, School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science ; Senior Fellow Centre for Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia. Here, Dr Duderija shares an opinion piece about a Celebrity Muslim Preacher, Mohamed Hoblos.