UNESCO Peace delegates engage with ACT Interfaith leaders

11 May 2017 - by

'How can different religious traditions contribute to peace and the well-being of society?' This was the question UNESCO Ambassadors and ACT Interfaith leaders discussed at a meeting hosted by the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture in March.

The visit to the ACC&C on March 15 was part of an inter-religious visit to Australia by 10 UNESCO Ambassadors from Yemen, Madagascar, Kuwait, Iran, Serbia, Nigeria, Oman, Angola, Germany, Ivory Coast and France.

This event was organised by the Pure Land Learning College Association's Multi-Faith Multicultural Centre in Toowoomba Queensland.

It was a truly international and inter-religious gathering and important questions discussed were: how interfaith leaders can share experiences to further strengthen social cohesion and harmonious coexistence amongst the diverse human communities; identifying critical conditions for building peaceful and sustainable societies and exploring potential religious education responses; and how interfaith leaders can collaborate to build local capacity for a peaceful and harmonious community through dialogues, workshop and forums.

The consultation was held in the Chambers Pavilion and chaired by the Executive Director of the ACC&C, The Rt. Rev'd Professor Stephen Pickard.

The exchange also covered many important topics including hospitality, social unrest and spiritual need, and the role of religious dialogue and work in society.  

Following the consultation the members enjoyed table fellowship and cemented some new found friendships.

Professor Stephen has been invited to offer a paper at an inter-religious conference in Toowoomba later in 2017.