Faith leaders, community representatives and councillors from across Victoria and across religions and cultures came together in Footscray last weekend for a collaborative peace building event.
Hosted by the Victorian chapter of the international non-government organisation Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), the “Shared Identity in a Multicultural Landscape” event on Saturday 29 November was also part of the Australia Religious Peace Academy (ARPA).
The program featured a multi-faith panel, scripture reflections, a roundtable on social cohesion, and the signing of a memorandum of understanding to expand peace education with local youth organisations.
Attendees at the Phoenix Youth Centre were also treated to performances from the Agola West Dance Group and singers Miss Nancy and Faith Okello.
Among those who took part was the president of Africa Day Australia, Qiniso Dube, who said it was a valuable experience.
“We got to learn as well from my table what others thought, how can we create opportunities for that connection to see who can learn from the Buddhism, from Christian, from whichever religion they’re from, and then exchange those ideas,” Mr Dube said.
Imam Hysni Merja from the Albanian Moslem Society concurred.
“The fact that different ministers of religion, different people from different backgrounds and cultures came together, that’s very important,” Mr Merja said.
Former president of the Victorian Legislative Council, Bruce Atkinson, congratulated HWPL Victoria for organising the day.
“The secret of breaking down conflict, is very much about getting together in events like this, coming to understand what we have in common rather than what our differences are,” Mr Atkinson said.
