Media release
26 September 2008
Australia to upgrade participation in interfaith dialogue
Australia will upgrade its involvement in multilateral efforts to enhance interfaith dialogue.
Yesterday at the United Nations I attended the Third Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace, chaired by the Foreign Minister of the Philippines. Australia is an observer in this process.
At the meeting I advised Ministers that Australia proposed to upgrade its participation in the Dialogue to full member status. Australia hopes to attend the next meeting, to be held in the margins of UNGA64 next year, as a fully participating member.
Australia co-sponsors our Regional Interfaith Dialogue with Indonesia, New Zealand and the Philippines.
Our full participation in this broader dialogue will further strengthen Australia’s contribution in this important promotion of tolerance and understanding of different cultures and religions.
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