The Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture and Bluestar Institute are presenting an evening of interfaith dialogue, hosted by renowned political journalist, Paul Bongiorno. Our four faith speakers – Christian, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu – will come together to discuss the topic of faith and democracy. This event will present on 12 Jul 2023 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, Barton, ACT.
The Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture and Bluestar Institute are presenting an evening of interfaith dialogue, hosted by renowned political journalist, Paul Bongiorno. Our four faith speakers – Christian, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu – will come together to discuss the topic of faith and democracy.
This is a unique opportunity to gain insight into the intersection of faith and politics from different perspectives. Our host will ask thought-provoking questions that will spark meaningful conversation and encourage us to explore the ways in which faith and democracy can coexist.
We will also be providing a taste of Turkish cuisine for attendees to enjoy before the conversation starts.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to broaden your understanding of interfaith relations and the role of faith in democracy. It promises to be a night of stimulating conversation and delicious food. We hope to see you there!
And it’s free!
OUR HOST
Paul Bongiorno
Paul Bongiorno is a thirty-five-year member of the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery. He is a columnist for the Saturday Paper and The New Daily and a regular 7AM Podcast contributor.
In 2014 Paul was made a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia for significant services to the print and broadcast media as a journalist, political commentator and editor. For seventeen years he was Network Ten’s political editor and bureau chief as well as the host of the network’s weekly political program “Meet The Press.”
Paul began his career in television journalism in 1974. He started out with the Seven network in Melbourne.
He is married with two daughters and has a Master’s Degree in Theology from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome.
OUR SPEAKERS
Dr Jonathan Cole
Jonathan Cole is acting Executive Director of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture. He has a PhD in Christian political theology (Charles Sturt University, 2019), an MA specialising in Middle Eastern politics and Islamic theology (Australian National University, 2007) and a BA Hons in Modern Greek language and history (La Trobe University, 2000).
Prior to embarking on an academic career in 2014, Jonathan spent 13 years working in a number of Australian federal government agencies (2001–2014), including the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Medicare Australia, the Defence Signals Directorate and the Office of National Assessments.
His research is primarily in the area of Christian political theology and he is currently working on the role of the doctrine of providence in Christian political thought. Forthcoming and recent publications include: Christos Yannaras, On the “Meaning” of Politics, translated and with an introduction by Jonathan Cole, foreword by Rowan Williams (Routledge, forthcoming); Jonathan Cole, The Reign of God: A Critical Engagement with Oliver O’Donovan’s Theology of Political Authority (London: T&T Clark, 2022); Peter Walker and Jonathan Cole, eds. Theology on a Defiant Earth: Seeking Hope in the Anthropocene (Lanham: Lexington, 2022); Jonathan Cole, “The Trinity: Prototype of Real Existence or Danger to Political Wellbeing? Tanner, Volf, and Yannaras in Conversation,” Religions 12, no. 998 (2021); and Jonathan Cole, “The Addition of Orthodox Voices to (Western) Political Theology,” Studies in Christian Ethics 33, no.4 (2020).
Islam – Assoc Prof Derya Iner
Derya Iner is an Associate Professor and Research Coordinator at the Centre for Islamic Studies (CISAC), Charles Sturt University. Iner completed her Ph.D. in Cultural Studies (major) and Gender Studies (minor) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA). Her research focuses particularly on Islamophobia, with an emphasis on women and children’s experiences, Western Muslim youth and their religious identity, and women in Islam and Islamic cultures. Iner is the chief investigator and editor of the Islamophobia in Australia Reports I, II, III, and IV (2017, 2019, 2022, and 2023), which have received extensive coverage in national and international media, been addressed in parliament, and cited in academia. Additionally, Iner serves as the Deputy Chair and Research Head of the Islamophobia Register Australia and volunteers for the Islamic Science and Research Academy (ISRA). Iner has convened numerous conferences to date, including the latest one, the Resilient Democracy for Resilient Communities participatory conference (2022). This conference aimed to develop projects, means, and tools for mobilizing communities to effectively utilize democracy in collaboration with official, academic, and civic stakeholders.
Buddhist – Lama Choedak Rinpoche
Born in Tibet, Lama Choedak Rinpoche is the founder and director of the Tibetan Buddhist Society of Canberra Inc. and Rongton Buddhist College. He is the heart-son of Kyabje Chogye Trichen Rinpoche, one of the main teachers of HH Dalai Lama. Rinpoche completed a three and half year solitary meditation retreat in 1980 as part of his 12 year Buddhist monastic training. He also has a post graduate Degree from the Australian National University. In 2001, in recognition of his work of teaching work in Australia, his teacher gave him the title ‘Rinpoche’. He has founded 15 Buddhist centres in Australia and New Zealand including two rural residential retreat centres in New South Wales and Victoria. As an accomplished author of many books, he is also a translator, poet, linguist and above all a ‘humanitarian’. His humanitarian charity ‘Nalendra Rebuilding Project’ raised $235,000 and helped to rebuild monasteries in Tibet. In 2017, ACT government gave a land grant to build a Peace Temple in Canberra. The construction project is due to begin later this year. Rinpoche is a widely sought after international speaker. His weekly online audience is 2500 per week from 50-70 countries. Rinpoche’s lectures are simultaneously translated into 10-15 languages.
Hindu – Santosh Gupta
Santosh Gupta is a community worker/volunteer by passion and a Chemical Engineer by profession. He is Chair of the ACT Chapter of the Hindu Council of Australia, President of Hindi Samaj of Canberra, Coordinator of Canberra Hindi School ACT, Executive Committee Member of the Hindu Temple & Cultural Centre of the ACT and an Executive Committee Member of ACT Community Language Schools Association.
Santosh Gupta is involved in liaising with the Government and non-Government authorities on issues relating to the Hindu community in Australia and putting forward views and opinions from Hindu perspective. He is working with all the Hindu communities and temples such as Hindu Temple & Cultural Centre of the ACT, BAPS, Vishnu-Shiva Mandir and Canberra Hindu Mandir. He enjoys taking part in the religious and non-religious activities organized by the other faith groups and Australian communities.
Event details
Date: Commencing 12 Jul 2023 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: 15 Blackall Street, Barton ACT 2600
Address: The Chapel, Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture
Cost: Free
Turkish cuisine supper at 6pm, Interfaith Dialogues starts at 6.30pm
Attendance is free, but please register.
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