The Melbourne-based non-profit organisation, Sikh Volunteers Australia has been handpicked as one of the Australian Human Rights Heroes for the year 2020 for providing free food to the communities during catastrophic bushfires and the various stages of COVID-19 lockdowns in Victoria.
News
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
At least once a year, Christians are reminded of Jesus’ prayer for his disciples that “they may be one so that the world may believe” (see John 17.21). Hearts are touched and Christians come together to pray for their unity. Congregations and parishes all over the world exchange preachers or arrange special ecumenical celebrations and prayer services. The event that touches off this special experience is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
WHEN: Traditionally the week of prayer is celebrated between 18-25 January, between the feasts of St Peter and St Paul. In the southern hemisphere, where January is a vacation time, churches often find other days to celebrate it, for example around Pentecost, which is also a symbolic date for unity.
The Reality of Human Trafficking in Asia: A Virtual Summit
The Asia Pacific Women of Faith Network (APWoFN), one of ACRP’s significant networks, will hold a webinar on Human Trafficking. The webinar’s title: “The Reality of Human Trafficking in Asia: A Virtual Summit”. The webinar will take place online, on January 14-15, 2021 @ 12:00-14:30 (Japan Time) (2PM AEDT).
Dalai Lama’s reincarnation included in Congress’ $900 billion COVID relief bill
New legislation passed by the U.S. Congress reaffirms the rights of Tibetans to choose a successor to their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, imposing sanctions on Chinese Communist Party officials if they attempt to intercede in the process.
Orthodox Christmas – Celebrate Safely Message
Victorian Multicultural Commission and Very Reverend Dr Michael Protopopov OAM of the Orthodox Church give messages about celebrating Orthodox Christmas (7 January) safely, in the midst of non-local Covid-19 outbreak.
Multi-faith & Intergenerational Prayers for Peace in 2021
Religions for Peace International will offer prayers for peace in 2021 and beyond on evening of 5 January 2021 in a virtual event. Prayers will be offered from all faith traditions including Indigenous spiritualities from various corners of our planet.
Living the Change event – Melbourne December 2020
Religions for Peace Victoria / Tasmania Branches in collaboration with Greenfaith and Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, Cultural Infusion and United Relikgions Initiative presented the Third Living the Change event online, on Sunday 6 December 2020m from 3 – 5:30pm.
Religion and Human Rights in Australia
Former head of Australia’s Human Rights Commission, Professor Gillian Triggs, gave an address on Religious Freedom in celebration of World Interfaith Harmony Week 2019 – at Melbourne University – on 5th of February 2019 to an audience of 400 interested persons.
UN declares 4 February ‘International Day of Human Fraternity’
The UN General Assembly adopts a resolution declaring 4 February as the International Day of Human Fraternity. It comes as the result of Christian-Muslim cooperation to promote peace, harmony and intercultural dialogue in the world.
United Nations declares International Day of Human Fraternity
The United Nations (UN) General Assembly decided unanimously on 21 December that the International Day of Human Fraternity is to be observed on 4 February each year, starting in 2021.
The New Year: Make Every Moment Divine
If you wish to embark on a new life, you need not wait for the arrival of a new year. To wait for a whole year means waiting for twelve months and so many days, hours, minutes and seconds. Treat every second as new. Sanctify every moment of your life. This has to be done by realising the unity of the Divine and the individual Consciousness. When this union is achieved, Spiritual Bliss is experienced. This is the primary task before everyone.
The 2020 Holiday Buddhist Book List
Holiday time brings spare time and time to read. Due lockdown, books are back in favour; creative fiction, children’s books and the exploration of living with the dhamma features in these books. Plenty of holiday karma with books!
