Office Address: PO Box 3052
Newmarket QLD 4051, Australia
Contact details: Name: Richard Cowley
Position: IDPA Convener
Phone: 07 3366 1709
Fax: 07 3366 1709
Email: rmcowley@bogpond.com
Brief Description/History
In 2001 the United Nations decreed the 21st of September as an International Day of Peace, a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. It has invited all Member States, organisations of the United Nations system, regional and non-governmental organisations and individuals to commemorate, in an appropriate manner, the International Day of Peace, including through education and public awareness, and to cooperate with the United Nations in the establishment of the global ceasefire.
The International Day of Peace Alliance, (IDPA) had its first meeting on the 21st of September 2005 at the Multi-faith Centre, Griffith University. From that very first meeting, there was recognition of the need to involve all faiths, cultures and people in the International Day of Peace.
Consequently we have a single simple goal, “To Raise Awareness of the International Day of Peace and encourage participation across all cultures, faiths and peoples.” Among its networks, the IDPA communicates with schools of faith origin and a number of different faiths are represented at our meetings and in our activities.
Since 2005, awareness for the International Day of Peace (IDP) has grown to the extent that in Brisbane and the south-east corner of Queensland, the number of events has grown from one at the Multi-Faith Centre in 2005, through 16 events in 2006 to 35 events and activities in 2007. A large proportion of these events focus around multi-faith and the sample of seven events below indicate the diversity and increasing awareness of the role of multi-faith dialogue in peace.
Difficulties encountered during our interfaith dialogue initiatives/activities.
Considering the essence of the various faiths is peace, it is not so surprising to note that in the IDPA’s experiences, the notion of inter-faith dialogue is being well received and gladly accepted, there has been no barriers other than non-awareness.
With communication of ideals and beliefs easily recognised as the primary method of breaking down barriers organisations must continue to encourage multi-faith commemorations at personal and community levels.
Helping factors in facilitating the success of these interfaith dialogue activities
The Multi-Faith Centre has been integral in the huge increase in awareness of the IDP. Without doubt, the Centre has been integral in bringing together the diverse faiths of Brisbane’s communities and, through leadership by example, instigated other events of a similar nature. Via its guidance people of different faiths have joined together to replicate the processes of joint commemoration and recognition of diverse faiths, instigating an opportunity for dialogue and a respect and increased knowledge of the other’s faiths. Not only by example, but by provision of facilities for monthly meetings and electronic facilities, the MFC continues to provide a terrific opportunity to progress peace in Brisbane, across Australia and around the world.
Future plans or proposals for promoting interfaith dialogue.
The IDPA will continue to raise awareness of the opportunities presented by inter-faith communication as a key element in achieving world peace. We will do this by continuing to raise awareness of the day through our networks and by presenting the International Day of Peace as a day in which everyone can become involved, at personal, community or international levels. We will continue to work with multi-faith organisations such as the Multi-Faith Centre to aid their excellent work wherever and however we can.
What needs to be done by diverse faith communities, institutions and organizations to enhance the progress of interfaith dialogue in Queensland, in Australia, and/or internationally.
There is the question of what more can be done to enhance progress of interfaith dialogue and of course it is always easy to say ‘more marketing’. The fact is however, that marketing is dependent on people’s wants and needs and traditional marketing methods are also usually expensive.
The platform provided by interfaith dialogue is going to be instrumental to peace in our future world and it seems more and more people are becoming aware of it as a platform. Continued promotion, coupled with a knowledge that the process is working will be key to progression. The use of networks and email lists such as those provided by internet communication will be the most cost effective and simple means of promoting the multi-faith sector. Furthermore the use of a central e-venue, such as a calendar on one of the Brisbane faith sites which receives regular updates of events that are happening in local communities or internationally would be a benefit. For example, the IDP Vigil site www.idpvigil.com lists all commemorations posted to it to highlight the International Day of Peace. A similar or addition to this site, which lists events on a regular basis would be of benefit to those who want to follow and enjoy participation in the multi-faith sector.
Activities
1) Multi-Faith Centre Griffith University 2006: Celebration of the International Day of Peace: This event focused on prayer readings and reflections from diverse faiths, including Hindu, Jewish, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Baha’i and Inter-Faith, and saw the planting of a peace pole, made by students at St. Laurence’s College at the entrance to the Multi-Faith Centre. On the pole the words ‘May Peace Prevail on Earth’ are inscribed in six languages. There were also excellent cultural performances and a light multi-cultural lunch followed the commemoration. Partnerships this year were between the MFC and the IDPA. Some of the outcomes include: Great ongoing dialogue between faiths, greater awareness of the International Day of Peace, the development of friendships between people of different faiths, and a growing respect for the opportunities presented by such inter-faith forums.
2) St John’s Cathedral Brisbane 2006: Brisbane Youth Multi-Faith Celebration of the International Day of Peace: Held in St John’s Cathedral in the city centre, this event saw children from religious, independent and state schools including the Australian International Islamic College join with diverse faith communities for this inaugural event. St. Johns’ bells were rung, environmentally friendly balloons were released, prayers offered, a special peace song was sung and a peace cake was shared. The objective was to help promote a culture of peace between faiths, increase local awareness of the International Day of Peace and to unite the sincere wishes of young people with peace efforts and prayers with Brisbane’s faith leaders. The children were also commissioned as peace ambassadors and asked to return to their schools promoting the day.
3) Soka Gakki International 2006: Multicultural Festival. Celebrating the International Day of Peace through Arts and Culture, Soka Gakki International (SGI) opened it’s commemoration with speeches from the Multi-Faith Center’s Director, Toh Swee-Hin, Indigenous and community leaders. There were performances from faith and cultural groups, and the focus of the day was ‘To create harmony among people in our community through culture’; ‘to foster young people with hope and love’, and ‘to encourage people to take responsibility in having peace in their community’. The day concluded with a forum on “What does the International Day of Peace mean to me?” and was well attended by a diverse range of people from Brisbane’s communities.
4) Multi-Faith Centre Griffith University 2007: Celebration of the International Day of Peace There were multi-faith prayer readings and reflections from a number of diverse faiths with performances from Mt. St. Michaels College, Southside Education, Anglican Church Grammar School, Aboriginal and Islander Independent Community School and the Australian International Islamic College. Held a few days earlier than the IDP, the event provided opportunity for awareness raising in the lead up to the day. A peace chant, ‘Translink Inspiration’ was led by Believing Women for a Culture of Peace and Friends, peace messages were read by students from Brisbane Schools, there was a peace cake cut and lunch was shared.
Building on the previous year’s commemoration at St John’s Cathedral and the MFC, this event reinforced the notion of our younger generation sending forth its message of peace and again made apparent that the notion that cross-cultural and multi-faith ideals are the same when it comes to respect for others, humility for life and the desire for peace.
5) A Prayer For Peace 2007 ~ World Premiere of "A PRAYER FOR PEACE" performed by Maggie Noonan with lyrics by Tyrone Noonan set to the Giazotto/Albinoni Adagio, featuring William Barton (Didgeridoo), Rupert Jeffcoat (Musical Director, St John's Cathedral), Camerata of St John's, St John's Cathedral Boys' Choir, and images by Tim Page. This commemoration built on the previous year’s event at St John’s Cathedral and, being arranged by a team of people who were mostly not involved with the previous year’s event, illustrates the power of creating a theme which has lasting significance, such as the multi-faith commemorations of the International Day of Peace.
6) Shri Ram Chandra Mission in Brisbane and Nationally 2007 ~ the public was invited to join in a universal prayer/meditation for peace. The mission is an international, non-profit organisation formally associated with the UN Dept of Public information. A simple practice of Raja Yoga called Sahaj Marg, the practice involves directing one's attention towards one's heart where the spiritual impulse for love, goodness and solidarity resides. Like the previous year, commemorations were held in Brisbane and in other capital cities around Australia.
7) Interfaith Peace Party, Quaker Commemoration 2007 ~ organised at Friends House, Kelvin Grove, the commemoration on the evening of the 21st saw the Religious Society of Friends, (Quakers) and some representatives of Brisbane’s Ismaili community sharing plates of food, music, prayers and beliefs at a small but culturally rich inter-faith event. The ambience over shared culture and simple finger-foods was incredible, the heightened feeling of goodwill in the room almost tangible and lasting friendships were formed.