New Zealand IBA & BLIA attended Interfaith Forum
The 7th annual National Interfaith forum begins on 26th February 2010. Since last interfaith forum held in Auckland, this year Christchurch become the organiser of the forum. New Zealand International Buddhist association and Buddha’s Light International Association president Almeric Cheng, vice president Jack Liu and assistant curator See Shen, Lee attended the forum. The 7th Interfaith forum theme is “keeping faith in the modern world”. All the nation religion and faith groups like Buddhist, Anglican, Christian, Islam, Jew and etc have participate in this forum.
The opening ceremony warm up with ‘Powhiri’, after that New Zealand representative of UNESCO Paul Morris have given opening speech. Follow the report status by all faith group representatives. A series of keynote have given by Rev. Margaret Mayman on “My experience in faith, Involvement in the UN and development of women’s rights.” Several panel discussion on “living my faith in the modern world” to seek some solution and opinion to face today’s technology, materialistic challenges.
On 27 February gathering service, Imam Afroz Ali have given opening keynote “world Peace” and “faith and modern world”. The next keynote speaker Verpal singh also gave a brilliant speech on “Spirit diary – human, faith and what come next?” The organiser invited Sr Catherine Jones and Superintendent Dave Cliff to lead in one of the parallel workshop “Faith and safer cities” and “seeing the best in each other” respectively. Richard Tankersly and those who attended Perth interfaith forum last year given a brief report on their experience and status in Perth.
The last day on Interfaith forum, organiser have used “keep the faith” as closing ceremony speech. On 28th February 2010 2pm, 7 of the BLIA Young Adult Division group members have joined the 3rd National youth forum for the first time in Christchurch. They have attend a series of activities, workshop, attended the keynote “Regenerate your faith” by Imam Afroz Ali and watch the Multimedia presentation about “story of stuff” that explained the faith and sustainability in the next generation which also tackling sustainability through the lens of religion duty and spiritual. The Youth member said they have learned a lot and quite excited when joining this forum. They have discover the truth of unwanted shopping behavior will cause the waste for environment, they start to concern and protect our earth by reduce the waste. IBA curator assistant See Shen, Lee state this forum have truthfully inspired every faith group to seek the opportunity to co-operate to building up the trust and respect for each other. Together, they will work out some solution and agenda to benefit the future of religion.