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On Sunday 22 June 2014, the City of Port Phillip Multifaith Network hosted a 'Workshop on Interfaith Dialogue' for religious leaders and activist of our community at the Port Melbourne Town Hall.

The workshop was by invitation and represented 18 faith groups and community leaders, who play significant roles in setting the agenda for the religious and spiritual life in our local neighbourhoods.  50 people attended representing organisations such as the Jewish Christian Muslim Association of Victoria, Islamic Council of Victoria, Buddhist Council of Victoria, Faith Communities Council of Victoria; and faith groups such as Planetary Healing Artists, Baha’is, Hare Krishna, and representatives from a range of Christian, Jewish and Islamic religions.

The workshop was opened by Councillor Thomann, Chair Port Phillip Multifaith Network, who participated for the duration of the workshop. Mr Chin Tan, Chairperson Victorian Multicultural Commission provided the introduction and context for the day’s event.  This was followed by the key note speaker Dr Michalis Michael, Senior Research & Deputy Director, Centre for Dialogue La Trobe University, whose powerful presentation set the scene for the ongoing dialogue throughout the afternoon. Rabbi Fred Morgan, Emeritus Rabbi, Temple Beth Israel and Multifaith member was the Workshop Moderator.

The workshop provided participants the opportunity to meet and interact with each other and discuss the interface between the expression of religious values and the nature of today’s world. It delivered practical outcomes in the areas of interfaith engagement, cross-cultural communication and social justice initiatives and created opportunities for further understanding and mutual activity which will benefit both our local community and the broader community.

In small diverse groups workshop participants were asked to provide ideas for moving forward as an interfaith community. The outcome of this session provided the Multifaith Network with a range of actions that they could explore into the future.  

The event was run with support from the Victorian Multicultural Commission.

The workshop would not have been the success it was without the enormous contribution from the Multifaith Network Working Group, which included:

• Rabbi Fred Morgan, Emeritus Rabbi, Temple Beth Israel
• Archdeacon Philip Newman, Deputy Chair, Faith Communities Council of Victoria
• Alan Marr, St Kilda / Elsternwick Baptist Church
• Maria George, Catholic Parish Elwood / St Kilda - St Columba’s
• Ciaran McCormack, City of Port Phillip Multicultural Liaison Officer and
• Laura Cattapan, City of Port Phillip Coordinator Access & Inclusion