Religions for Peace Australia presents an overview of the Multifaith and Interfaith History of Australia, delivered by Emeritus Professor Desmond P. Cahill, OAM. This presentation commences with the history of the Macassans visiting Australia and their interactions with indigenous peoples. Colonialisation and European settlement and the dismissal of indigenous presence and spirituality in this land is related.
News
Mental Health and Covid-19
Religions for Peace Australia has produced a series of video outlining issues around Covid 19 and multifaith matters. In this video, Rev. Chris Parnell, Interfaith Minister, gives an overview of mental health issues, faith and spirituality addressing mental health and references a simple strategy and further resources for mental health.
Racism in times of Covid-19
Religions for Peace Australia presents Racism in times of Covid-19, an account of racism and extremism in times of pandemic. This video – delivered by Emeritus Professor Desmond Cahill, OAM, touches on many bases and causes of racism generally, in addition to addressing far-right extremism in Australia, which has undoubtedly contributed to this issue.
Tibetan Buddhist Email Spam (Scam)
A group of disaffected Tibetan Buddhist followers are spamming religion and spirituality websites in Australia with a so-called TEDX talk by a geshe. The Office of the Dalai Lama has rebuffed the behaviour of this geshe. The email addresses are all spoofed, meaning the mails are sent via a contact form on a website and action cannot be taken against the sender for anti-social behaviour. Recipients are urged to take action against the senders.
The Struggle for Federal Democracy and Inclusive Governance in Myanmar
Religions for Peace International will engage the Myanmar Peace Process in conversation with the co-founder of Religions for Peace Myanmar. This is a free session, all are welcome to attend on Jun 11, 2021 08:30 AM in Eastern Time (US and Canada).
Elder Abuse: Everyone’s business
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is commemorated each year on 15 June to highlight one of the worst manifestations of ageism and inequality in our society, elder abuse. Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust such as a family member or friend. The abuse may be physical, social, financial, psychological or sexual and can include mistreatment and neglect.
Book Launch: Religious Soft Diplomacy & the United Nations: Religious Engagement as Loyal Opposition
Rev. Prof. Dr. James T. Christie and Dr. Sherrie M. Steiner recently published a book with the title “Religious Soft Diplomacy and the United Nations – Religious Engagement as Loyal Opposition”. The engagement of religious diplomacy within the United Nations systems has become increasingly important for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Launch will take place in New York on 24 June 2021 |from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm EST.
Truth Telling in Australia
Pax Christi Australia – in collaboration with Religions for Peace Australia, will jointly present the June Agape session, “Truth Telling in Australia”. The guest speaker will be Sherry Balcombe, of Aboriginal Catholic Ministry. The session will occur at the Kildara Centre, Stanhope St, Malvern on Sunday 27 June at 1:00pm (for lunch), presentation commences at 2:00pm
Australian Women join global effort to get more religious women on Wikipedia
Australian women are playing a major part in a global effort to increase the number of biographical entries about religious women on Wikipedia. Currently, less than 20 per cent of Wikipedia’s biographical entries are about women and less than 10 per cent of its editors are women.
UniMelb: Contemplative Studies Centre
The University of Melbourne is establishing a Contemplative Studies Centre, which will be the first point of entry into the world of mindfulness, meditation and contemplative practice at the University.
Spiritual Care Australia Annual Conference
Spiritual Care Australia will deliver its Annual Conference online from 21 – 23 June 2021. The theme for the conference is Roads Less Travelled, Spiritual Care in the 21st Century.
Moral Injury
Moral injury is the damage done to one’s conscience or moral compass when that person perpetrates, witnesses, or fails to prevent acts that transgress one’s own moral beliefs, values, or ethical codes of conduct. Moral Injury has occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic, and it also impinges on individuals, families, communities and organisations.