National Interfaith Forum: Hamilton,
18-19 February 2007
Summing Up by Joris de Bres,
Race Relations Commissioner.
What happened?
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Around 150 people attended all or part of the two-day forum.
There was a good spirit and respect for diverse views, and a sense of
achievement and momentum. A summary
of last year’s initiatives and of this year’s interfaith projects under the
New Zealand Diversity Action Programme informed this sense of progress.
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This forum took place in the wake of new census data on religious diversity,
which reflect the changes that New Zealanders, and especially young people,
are already experiencing as an everyday reality.
The diversity of religions has increased, as has the number of people
who profess no religion.
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The Women’s Forum on Sunday provided an opportunity to share stories in
small groups in an interactive environment.
The theme was that women have a key role to play in interfaith
cooperation and dialogue and are already showing their leadership.
Participants spoke of the need to translate ideas on interfaith
cooperation and dialogue into practical actions.
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The Governor General, Hon Anand Satyanand,
in his opening address on Sunday evening, issued a challenge in relation to
the co-existence of different religions and the importance of developing
networks. His two-fold challenge was
to engage with each other, and to achieve a positive co-existence.
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Also on Sunday, religious broadcaster Chris Nicoll spoke of his experience
as part of the team making My God,
a series of programmes on people of different faiths, and the recent public
debate about broadcasting funding allocations to reflect religious
diversity.
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On Monday a panel of speakers provided perspectives and reports – the link
between spirituality and the environment from the Maori perspective, and
activities of interfaith councils and groups in various regions.
A new interfaith council is being formed in
Christchurch, and there have been many initiatives
around the country. Notable elements
included involvement in the religious diversity forum at the New Zealand
Diversity Forum last August, meetings to discuss the draft statement on
religious diversity, events for the Week of Prayer for World Peace and
International Day of Peace, and solidarity when faith groups experienced
harassment or damage to their places of worship.
A new development was the degree of cooperation with local city or
district councils, particularly over the diversity statement, but also on
other activities in
Auckland City.
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A further panel of speakers explored the benefits that their particular
faith community contributes to
New Zealand society.
These ranged from social and economic benefits to advocacy for social
justice. It is a discussion that
needs to continue.
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Paul Morris, accompanied by four members of the Reference
Group, made a presentation on the draft National Statement on Religious
Diversity. After an extensive
discussion, the meeting resolved by acclamation to (1) express
its appreciation of the work done on the National Statement on Religious
Diversity, and all the people who have engaged with it; (2) endorse the
Revised Statement as presented and discussed at this meeting, as the basis
for further dialogue; and (3) urge communities to engage with the Statement
as a means of promoting further dialogue and understanding.
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The Office of Ethnic Affairs gave a presentation on their Building Bridges
programme, there was a discussion of the draft schools curriculum, and the
editor of the Waikato Times spoke about the process of editorial decision
making and the importance of communities developing relationships with the
media.
Where to from here?
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There was a mood to focus on action – undertaking practical projects
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People should seek to undertake actions in association with others,
including local government
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Projects and connections can be promoted through everyone registering their
organisations and projects with the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme
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Areas of focus for the coming year should include:
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Fostering discussion on the National Statement on Religious Diversity
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Engaging with the development of the new schools curriculum
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Building relationships with the media and increasing their awareness of
religious diversity and interfaith cooperation
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Making an international contribution through the Alliance of Civilisations
symposium in
Auckland and the Asia Pacific
Regional Interfaith Dialogue at Waitangi in May
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Participation in the religious diversity forum at the
New Zealand Diversity Forum in
Auckland on 27-28 August
Special thanks are due to Anjum
Rahman and the Waikato Interfaith Council for their work in
organising the forum. The
Wellington Interfaith Council indicated that it would
investigate hosting the forum in Wellington again
next year, since the New Zealand Diversity Forum was being held in Auckland.