Most people know that the Virgin Mary is very popular among Catholic and Orthodox Christians. But what they usually don’t know is that the Mother of God is also venerated by devotees from other faiths such as Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism. She might not be necessarily part of the official teaching of these traditions but she still attracts devotees. As new research shows, Mary is the most universal religious figure of our contemporary world.
Asia and Religions for Peace
National day of prayer for just peace in Mayanmar
People of faith communities in Australia, will gather to express their concern for and solidarity with the courageous people of Myanmar on Sunday 30 April, 5pm AEST) Collins St. Baptist Church, 174 Collins St. Melbourne. This event will be livestreamed.
Two day Global Buddhist Summit 2023 concludes with New Delhi Declaration
The two day Global Buddhist Summit 2023 concluded successfully in New Delhi today with the New Delhi Declaration. Earlier on 20th April 2023, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the summit. The Declaration reinforces the points highlighted by the Prime Minister in his opening address.
Doing Interfaith Dialogue After the Covid-19 Outbreak: Decolonial Reflections
Centre for Interfaith Understanding will conduct an online event, “Doing Interfaith Dialogue After the Covid-19 Outbreak: Decolonial Perspectives” on Wednesday, 1 March 2023 at 11 PM – 12:30 AM UTC+11
Asia Pacific Women of Faith Network Seminar on Peace-building and Reconciliation
On 9th March 2023, the Asia Pacific Women of Faith Network will hold a seminar on Peace-building and Reconciliation under the theme “Enhancing Women’s Participation in Peacebuilding and Reconciliation in Asia”. Women speakers will come from ASEAN Women Peace Registry,, UN Women (International) and Religions for Peace East Asia.
Eradicating modern slavery in Australia
In 2018, the Modern Slavery Act was introduced to reduce the risks of labour exploitation in Australia. Larger businesses – those with annual consolidated revenue of at least AU$100 million – are now required to report on the risks of exploitation in their supply chains and the actions they are taking to eliminate them.
The term ‘modern slavery’ describes situations where offenders use coercion, threats or deception to exploit victims and undermine their freedom.
Facing the Threat of the Global Climate Crisis Together
The Asia Pacific Women of Faith Network (APWoFN) held its first of three climate change webinars on Tuesday 29th November. It was a frank and powerful analysis of current regional experiences of escalating climate change. This paper is drawn from its many valuable contributions . This paper is the presentation by Chair of Religions for Peace Australia, Ms Philippa Rowland to the China Committee on Religion and Peace 3rd International Seminar on Religions and Ecological Civilization, Beijing, 21 December 2022.
Climate change is upon us. The daunting reality is we are living through the predicted increased frequency and intensity of extreme events, as shown by growing regional evidence and experience of unprecedented wildfires, floods, cyclones, melting glaciers, volatile temperatures and rising sea levels.
Save Children-Save Futures
The overarching aim of Faith and Positive Change for Children, Families and Communities (FPCC) is to strengthen interfaith efforts at influencing positive social and behavioral changes of the most marginalized children, families and communities globally in order to improve child wellbeing. Religions for Peace Pakistan and the Asian Conference of Religions for Peace will conduct an online panel between Inter-religious panelilsts Online Campaign to Save Street Children’s Rights on December 19, 16:00 hours Pakistan Time.
Ethical Christmas gifts (slavery free)
You now have an opportunity to fight modern slavery through supporting social enterprise businesses with ethically sourced products, and support the advocacy work of Be Slavery Free through your purchase of their Member Partnership Products.
Webinar: Religions and Ecological Civilization: Harmonious Coexistence between Human and Nature
The China Committee on Religion and Peace (CCRP) and Religions for Peace International jointly invite you to attend the 3rd International Seminar on Religions and Ecological Civilization: Harmonious Coexistence between Human and Nature on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Presentations will be made by members of the Asian Conference on Religion and Peace, and Religions for Peace Australia.
Asia Pacific Women of Faith Network: Climate Change Seminar Welcome Message
The Asia Conference on Religion and Peace will present an online seminar on climate change issues, to be held Tuesday, November 29th, 2022 2:00 PM (Japan Standard Time),hosted by Asia Pacific Women of Faith Network. (Click Here for Your Local Time) Here, a message of Welcome to the Seminar is announced.
Asia Pacific Women of Faith Network: Climate Change Seminar
Religions for Peace Asia is pleased to invite you to an online seminar on climate change issues, to be held Tuesday, November 29th, 2022 2:00 PM (Japan Standard Time),hosted by Asia Pacific Women of Faith Network. (Click Here for Your Local Time)
Mega-cities and Climate Change – the Role of Religious Leaders
On 4th AUGUST, 2022, about 2,000 people, including 24 delegates from 18 countries of Buddhism, Shintoism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Zoroastrianism came together in Japan at an inter-faith “Interreligious Gathering of Prayer for World Peace”. The event marked the 35th anniversary of the first ‘Religious Summit’ held on Mount Hiei in 1987. Moderator of Religions for Peace Asia, Emeritus Professor Desmond Cahill OAM delivered a talk on Megacities and Climate Change – The Role of Religious Leaders.
Diwali in India
Indians have celebrated Diwali as bright earthen oil lamps and dazzling, colourful lights lit up homes and streets across the country to mark the Hindu festival.
Diwali — a national holiday across India — symbolises the victory of light over darkness. Festivities include a Guinness World Record lighting of 1.5 million oil lamps on the banks of Saryu River
The festival is typically celebrated by socialising and exchanging gifts with family and friends. Many light earthen oil lamps or candles, and fireworks are set off as part of the celebrations.
Letter of Support for Women and Religious Groups suffering Persecution in Iran
In recent days Iran has seen deep public unrest, with demonstrations and protests taking place in some 80 cities, triggered by the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, who was detained by authorities in Tehran on 13 September and died, while in custody, three days later. Religions for Peace Australia and its affiliates voice their concerns about the deterioration of the rights of women – and religious groups – in Iran.
Tackling Human-Trafficking in Asia: Challenges and Best Practices
The Asia Pacific Women of Faith Network has been attending the issue of human trafficking as one of its program objectives. Human trafficking is at its highest in Asia and Oceania regions. An online seminar examining this issue will be held on Thursday, September 29th, 2022. There will be plenary and breakout sessions.
Tokyo Peace Roundtable, the first of a series
Religions for Peace International and Religions for Peace Japan are pleased to share an invitation to join The Tokyo Peace Roundtable, the first in a series Beyond War and Towards Reconciliation: Convening Multi-Religious Peace Roundtables, bringing together faith leaders, policy makers, and representatives of civil society as part of an effort to expedite the cessation of violence, facilitate reconciliation, and restore peace in war-affected countries.
Disaster Resilience in a Warming Climate
Friends (Quakers) in the Asia West Pacific will deliver one workshop on Disaster Resilience in a Warming Climate and will be with Paula Paanamen who has worked internationally and with communities after the Burnt Summer of bushfires 2019-20 in Australia, and more recently during the unprecedented Australian floods. What skills and approaches are need for Friends to help build and be part of community resilience?
