Media release
30 October 2009
Australia to host the Regional Interfaith Dialogue in Perth
The Fifth Regional Interfaith Dialogue concludes in Perth today, Friday 30 October.
His Excellency the Governor of Western Australia, Dr Ken Michael AC, opened the conference on Wednesday 28 October and I will host the closing reception this evening.
The Fifth Regional Interfaith Dialogue is co-sponsored by Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand and the Philippines.
The Perth Dialogue follows on from a positive history of regional Dialogues: Phnom Penh Dialogue in Cambodia in 2008, the Waitangi Dialogue in New Zealand in 2007, the Cebu Dialogue in the Philippines in 2006, and the Yogyakarta Dialogue in Indonesia in 2004.
Interfaith Dialogues foster mutual respect and understanding among the diverse faiths and cultures of the Asia Pacific.
The theme for this year’s Dialogue is ‘Future Faith Leaders: Regional Challenges and Cooperation’ and the focus has been the next generation of faith leaders.
Australia’s hosting of the Dialogue in Perth underlines our long history of commitment to deepening people-to-people links in the Asia-Pacific.
Other participating countries at this year’s Dialogue will include Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, East Timor, Laos, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The Australian delegation included individuals drawn from major faiths, community leaders and academics across Australia, all of whom actively promote and support interfaith activities and values.
The Dialogue will help future leaders develop networks around the region for practical interfaith initiatives into the future. These future leaders will also take messages of peace and understanding to their respective countries and communities.
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