NZ National Interfaith Forum 2010

The Christchurch Interfaith Society is hosting the 7th National Interfaith Forum in Christchurch, New Zealand on February 26th-28th, 2010. The theme for this year’s forum is “Keeping Faith in the Modern World”. A special women’s forum with the same theme will precede it, and a special youth forum will follow it themed “Faith and Sustainability for the Next Generation”. This is the largest interfaith event in New Zealand with representatives from over fifteen world religions expected to attend. The main event will include workshops entitled “Keeping your faith in the modern world”, “Faith and Safer Cities”, “Religious Education in New Zealand”, “Faith Communities and Conservation”, and “Seeing the Best in Each other”. The workshops will address key community and global issues that Dr. Ron McIntyre, President of the Christchurch Interfaith Council, says are issues of shared interest among the faiths, “Faith communities have a role to play in seeking solutions to the problems of the modern world. It starts with talking to each other”.The National Women’s Forum will mark its fifth anniversary this year in Christchurch. Taking place on February 26, 2010 the forum will include workshops, a panel discussion entitled “Living my Faith in the Modern world”, and a keynote speech from Rev. Margaret Mayman entitled “My experience in faith, involvement in the UN and development of women’s rights”. The women’s forum is guaranteed to be a unique opportunity for attendees to engage in interfaith dialogue and explore how they can contribute to a more peaceful and inclusive world.

The 3rd National Youth Forum will have a special emphasis this year on youth calling upon their faith and spirituality to find interfaith solutions to environmental issues. Passionate youth environmental advocates and supporters will be in attendance to share fresh ideas and real solutions. The youth forum is taking place on February 28, 2010 and will include ice breaker activities, multimedia presentations, workshops, a team building exercise entitled “Dissecting New Zealand’s Industries and brainstorming solutions”, group discussions/presentations, and a keynote speech from Imam Afroz Ali entitled “Sustainability and your faith”.The Christchurch Interfaith Society is a volunteer-based non-profit interfaith association with representatives from diverse religious backgrounds. According to their official website, the purpose of the Christchurch Interfaith Society is to “foster understanding and good relations, to co-ordinate action, and to mediate between those communities, and to liaise with other organizations”.

Website: www.christchurchinterfaith.org.nz