Religion and Human Rights in Australia: Religions for Peace

University of Melbourne Chaplaincy and Religions for Peace Australia invite you to:

Religion and Human Rights in Australia | 2019 World Interfaith Harmony Week Lecture

Date: Tuesday 5 February 2019     Time: 6pm
Location: The University of Melbourne, B117 Basement Theatre, Melbourne School of Design, Masson Road, Parkville, Victoria 3010

Guest Speaker: Emeritus Professor Gillian Triggs, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission from 2012 - 2017

World Interfaith Harmony Week is an annual event observed during the first week of February commencing in 2011.

World Interfaith Harmony Week was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 20 October 2010. In the resolution, the General Assembly, points out that mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace and establishes World Interfaith Harmony Week as a way to promote harmony between all people regardless of their faith.

The World Interfaith Harmony Week is based on the pioneering work of The Common Word initiative. This initiative, which started in 2007, called for Muslim and Christian leaders to engage in a dialogue based on two common fundamental religious Commandments; Love of God, and Love of the Neighbour, without nevertheless compromising any of their own religious tenets. The Two commandments are at the heart of the three Monotheistic religions and therefore provide the most solid theological ground possible.

The World Interfaith Harmony Week extends the Two Commandments by adding ‘Love of the Good, and Love of the Neighbour’. This formula includes all people of goodwill. It includes those of other faiths, and those with no faith.

The World Interfaith Harmony Week provides a platform—one week in a year—when all interfaith groups and other groups of goodwill can show the world what interfaith harmony, co-operation and understanding may achieve.