The world’s biggest interfaith event, the Parliament of the World’s Religions, is coming to Melbourne in December 2009.
In the lead-up to the Parliament, a pre-Parliament event for Sydney was held on Sunday 2 August at Old Government House, Australia’s oldest public building, from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. The event addressed the seven key topics of this year’s Parliament:
- Healing the Earth with Care and Concern
- Reconciling with the Indigenous Peoples
- Overcoming Poverty in a Patriarchal World
- Creating Social Cohesion in Village and City
- Sharing Wisdom in Search for Inner Peace
- Securing Food and Water for All People
- Building Peace in Pursuit of Justice
With over 230 attendees from different religious backgrounds present, this event offered a taste of the Parliament experience in a festive atmosphere.
The Sydney Pre-Parliament event was organised by a Steering Committee made up of members from 15 different faith groups: Affinity Intercultural Foundation, NSW Ecumenical Council, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, Sydney Catholic Archdiocese, Parramatta Catholic Diocese, Columban Mission Institute, Buddhist and Hindu Councils amongst others.
The event started with an interactive forum drawing on various faith traditions, hosted by the Faith Ecology Network. Keynote speaker Russ Grayson talked about the global food situation, impact on the environment and the ways forward to improve the world’s food shortage.
Following the forum, was a Musical showcase featuring outstanding performers from Sydney’s diverse faiths and traditions. Affinity executives Musa Hodzic, Muhamed Cengic and Ali Dinclik performed two Nasheed’s 
(Islamic cultural songs) and at the end of their performance they were given a great ovation.
After the musical concert, Revd Dirk Ficca, Executive Director for the Parliament of the World’s Religions gave the Introduction to the Parliament of the World’s Religions. Afterwards, Professor Larissa Behrendt, Professor of Law and Director of Research at the Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning, UTS Sydney, gave a speech on “Making a World of Difference: Hearing Each Other, Healing the Earth”.
The final program in the event was a youth interfaith panel which covered the key topics of the Parliament of the World’s Religions. It was chaired by Dr Rachael Kohn (The Spirit of Things, ABC Radio National) and included the Affinity Vice-President Mrs Zuleyha Keskin.
Some of the prominent guests at the event were the Premier of NSW - Mr Nathan Rees, The Hon David Clarke MLC representing Mr Barry O’Farrell MP, Dr.Stepan Kerkyasharian, Chairperson NSW Community Relations Commission, Ms Julie Owens Federal MP for Parramatta, amongst others.
Affinity President Mr Mehmet Saral said that it is imperative that all faith organisation’s should support the Parliament of World Religion’s, as this event which brought together 15 faith group’s in Sydney alone, will be a catalyst for peaceful relations amongst all people in Australia. By knowing the other, we will eliminate fear of the other.
Parliament of the World's Religions
The pre-parliament program was a prelude to the Parliament of the World Religions which is to be held in Melbourne between 3-9 December 2009.
Please follow this link to register for this event.
