FGS NZ in New Zealand Interfaith Wellington Gathering

New Zealand ministry of Ethnic held “The 6th Asia Pacific Religions Conversation – follow up with the local representative” on 26th July in Wellington. Fo Guang Shan (FGS) New Zealand Abbess Manshin was invited to attend the conference as Buddhists’ representative. They have also invited the representatives to help in finalising the “Care for the children and prevent child abuse” plan. This plan echoed with FGS' goal that emphasise on training of Youths. It was believed that with collaboration of government agencies we may offer more protection to children in New Zealand.

“The 6th Asia Pacific Religions Conversation – follow up with the local representative” acts as a follow up and summary for the meeting in Semarang, Indonesia this March. In the meeting, all religious representatives would report their work on promoting peace among religions and also emphasised on the future of multi faith.

The representatives of New Zealand's interfaith had summarise their work in conference and proposed several agenda to the government: 1. New Zealand should participate in the two proposals proposed by Indonesia government, namely the 2012 Indonesia Art and Cultural scholarship and 2012 Press Freedom workshop; 2. 2013 National women conference and the development of Internet in support of women representatives; 3. Collaborate with 2013 National Interfaith to promote youth religious leadership; 4. Established the team to connect with other Asia-pacific interfaith and establish the celebration of Asia-pacific youth Interfaith day; 5. established a team to encourage the understanding of sister school via face to face contact or with the aid of internet technology; 6. Established local religious community group and select the members. The names of the suggested nominees will be given to the Ministry of Ethnic, Ministry of Foreign Affair and trade for record; 7. Improve the efficacy of the conference using social media.

Religious representatives like Sister Catherine Jones from Roman Catholic, Professor paul Morris and Todd Nachowitz from Jewish, Reverend Uesifili Unasa and Daniela Astrid from Christian, Selva Rmasami from Hinduism, Prithipal Singh Basra from Singh and the secretary of Ministry of Ethnic Melissa Lee are present in this conference.