Maribyrnong City Council is working in partnership with Brimbank City Council, the Quang Minh Temple and the Australian Intercultural Society to convene several significant opportunities for leaders of diverse faiths to come together and build positive relationships.
"The Interfaith Dialogue activities we have planned will celebrate our rich community and will provide opportunities for leaders of diverse faiths to come together and promote peace and harmony within Maribyrnong and the western region," said the Mayor of the City of Maribyrnong, Cr Michael Clarke.
"There is also opportunity to build relationships and friendships across cultures and religions and collaborate on responses to local issues of mutual concern."
Cr Clarke said the first of several events, the Interfaith Tree Planting on Tuesday 11 August, is also part of the Footscray 150 celebrations.
"Our diverse faith leaders and community members from every corner are invited to the Planting, which will recognise the significant contribution our diverse faith communities have made to our City through the last 150 years," he said.
"The Planting is also to symbolise peace, respect and harmony on this monumental occasion for Footscray. The Planting will also feature an Indigenous Welcome and Smoking Ceremony by a Wurundjeri Elder."
"The City of Maribyrnong is one of the most diverse localities in Victoria with residents from more than 135 countries speaking over 80 languages. All major faith groups are represented in our community, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhist and Sikh. Although we are a small city, we are densely populated with over 45 places of worship," said Cr Clarke.
Council secured $11,000 in funding from the Victorian Government's Promoting Harmony: Multifaith and Interfaith Grants Program through the Victorian Multicultural Commission. The two key objectives of this grants program are to fund projects that:
- promote understanding of different faiths, and
- bring different faith and community groups together.
"Brimbank City Council, the Quang Minh Temple and the Australian Intercultural Society have also secured VMC grants to strengthen interfaith relationships and provide opportunities for dialogue," said Cr Clarke.
"We look forward to working closely with these organisations to coordinate events within the two neighbouring areas."
In the lead up to the Parliament of Word Religions in December 2009, the western region community and faith leaders will have the opportunity to come together in both the City of Maribyrnong and Brimbank. Activities include:
- Ramadan IFTAR Dinner at Quang Minh temple on 10 September 2009
- Youth Interfaith Forum at Quang Minh Temple (School Project) on 11 September 2009
- Series of Interfaith Workshops in Cities of Brimbank and Maribyrnong commencing in September 2009
- Interfaith Dinner for Parliament of World Region at Quang Minh Temple in December 2009
Interfaith Tree Planting
Tuesday 11 August, 11am - 12noon
Maddern Square, Footscray (Enter via Leeds St into Chambers St)
RSVP by Thursday 30 July with Christine Stevens on 9688 0453
Media contact:
Jennifer Legge
Media and Communications Co-ordinator
Phone: 9688 0565 or 0434 600 535
Fax: 9687 7793
jennifer.legge@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au
Last Updated on Tuesday, 20 October 2009 08:29