Last Sunday and Monday, communities of faith and spirit rose up around the world, calling for climate justice in the biggest faith-based day of distributed climate action we’ve ever seen. In Indonesia, youth-led actions called for the end of coal mining and deforestation.
News
International Freedom of Religion and Belief Day
International Freedom of Religion or Belief Day occurs every 27 October and highlights that 83% of the world’s population live in countries where religious freedom is threatened.
International Freedom of Religion or Belief Day (October 27) promotes coexistence and respect between people of different cultures and religions, to foster stable and prosperous societies. It is a cause that has been taken up at the highest levels.
The US has an Ambassador-at-Large for Freedom of Religion and Belief, Sam Brownback. The United Kingdom has the Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Rehman Chishti.
Invest-Divest 2021: A Decade of Progress Towards a Just Climate Future
The movement to divest pension funds, universities and colleges, faith organizations and foundations from fossil fuels, and invest in climate solutions, has reached new heights in the fight for meaningful, ambitious climate action.
In the lead up to COP26, join a global coalition of organizations to announce a historic slate of groundbreaking divest/invest commitments, unveil a new “state of the D/I movement” report, including an update of assets under management committed to divestment, and celebrate major victories. Join us on Tuesday October 26th at 11am EST for this monumental event.
UBEF Visiting Professorship in Buddhist Studies – Lecture Series
The Australasian Association for Buddhist Studies notifies that the UBEF Visiting Professorship in Buddhist Studies Professor John Powers of Deakin University will conduct a lecture series, a two session workshop and a Public Talk on Indian-Tibetan Buddhism – Online – commencing 28 October 2021
Walk the Talk
Walk the Talk is a Toolkit to Accompany the “Roadmap for Congregations, Communities and Churches for an Economy of Life and Ecological Justice.”
“Walk the Talk” is an invitation to discuss a 5-step programme to change the way we deal with the economy and our ecological surroundings.
“We invite congregations, communities, and churches to join a pilgrimage for an Economy of Life and climate justice, to commit to make changes in the way we live, to share successful ideas, and to encourage one another.”
Asian Conference of Religions for Peace – 9th General Assembly
With its 21 member nations comprising more than half of humanity, the Asian Conference of Religions for Peace (ACRP), now generally known as Religions for Peace Asia, will hold its Ninth General Assembly in Tokyo on 19 – 22 October 2021 online. This will be preceded by the Youth Pre-Assembly and the Women’s Pre-Assembly events. We give one overivew of the Ninth General Assembly.
Joint Interfaith Statement for World Food Day
As people of faith, we join in committing to pray and act against hunger at this time when 811m people worldwide go to bed hungry each night, hunger has increased globally by 25% since 2019, and across the globe more than 41m people–around half of them children–are at risk of falling into famine in 43 countries.
Prayers and Meditation for a Beneficial Climate Change Conference
The President of the National Council of Churches Australia shares prayers and meditations for success at the forthcoming Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Sunday, 31 Oct 2021 – Friday, 12 November 2021.
Grand Imam Al-Tayeb: “Fratelli tutti” important for Muslims too
The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar speaks to Vatican Media about his relationship with Pope Francis: “From the first minute of our meeting I had confirmation that he is a man of peace and humanity. The encyclical is an appeal to create a true fraternity where there is no room for discrimination on the basis of differences of religion, race, gender, or other forms of intolerance.”
WHO and Religions for Peace global conference
The World Health Organisation along with Religions for Peace and EPI-WIN Faith Communities of Practice will conduct a global conference on strengthening national responses to health emergencies. The sessions of the conference will feature innovative responses in the areas of (i) Spiritual care during times of crisis, (ii) Country collaboration between WHO, faith partners and national governments, (iii) Trust and health histories, and (iv) Communication and advocacy for vaccine equity, access, and uptake.
Lecture: Embracing Cultural Diversity in Australia
The Australian Human Rights Commission invites you to the Annual Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture, delivered by writer Alice Pung on the theme, Embracing Cultural Diversity in Australia. This event (free) will be held online on Friday 29 October at 12pm.
