Inclusive approach to global issues

Faith, values and community• One World Week asks people to draw upon

their own values

• To take action on a global issue we must start at a local level

• Community spirit that

crosses boundaries

• Interfaith events are already happening up and down the country

Aim of the session

• Why is interfaith work important and necessary?

• What do we mean when we talk about interfaith?

• What can be realistically achieved through holding an interfaith event?

Why is an inclusive approach important?

• Opportunity to meet new people

• Opportunity to learn about the experiences of others

• Opportunity to show a unified approach to world issues

So what is an interfaith event?

• It is not about pretending we all hold the same beliefs, because we do not.

• It is not about watering down one’s faith.

• It is not about converting someone to one’s own viewpoint.

A space where everyone feels...

• Welcome

• Included

• Comfortable to be themselves

• These are the foundation blocks of any good interfaith event

Being a neighbour

• People have to feel that the event is ‘for them’

• To be authentically interfaith, representatives of all faiths embraced should be involved in the planning and organising where possible.

• A spirit of neighbourliness – an act of unity.

Global issues – shared values

In order to strive towards alleviating hunger, slowing down climate change, campaigning for fair trade and creating peaceful societies...

....we must work together

Global issues – shared values

• The responses from major world faiths to the aforementioned global issues are incredibly similar

• This gives a good, solid base for holding an event which can draw upon shared values

Interfaith? Single faith? No faith?

• An interfaith event does not necessarily have to replace existing single faith or secular events

• Interfaith social events alongside annual worship service

• Interfaith worship events are difficult to hold

Previous events• Interfaith events do not have to centre around faith

• Bring and share lunches• Talks with an expert speaker from a faith community on a global

issue• Discussion forums led by members of the local community• Topical films or documentaries with discussion• Interfaith prayer and reflection sessions• Family fun days

• Children’s workshops• Storytelling• Music and performance from a range of cultural traditions• Interfaith walks• Fair Trade coffee mornings

Practical advise – OWW website• See the following pages: ‘interfaith guidelines’

‘working together’ ‘Building Bridges Together to Address

Shared Global Concerns’ ‘Involving new people and forming a local

OWW group’‘Ten Top Tips’ (general events planning

advice)

• In groups of 3 - 4 , discuss how you would advise each of the people

who gave the following responses – advising them on how to move forward in interfaith planning given their individual circumstances.

‘Minehead has no non-Christian places of worship or faith groups that are identifiable’

‘no plans at present’

‘Bridport is a mainly white community – not really possible’

‘focus was climate change rather than interfaith relations’

‘we need to think about something outside Sunday services!’

‘Open a dialogue with the Muslim community. No other communities present’.

‘Try a joint service with Sikhs/Hindus/ Muslims’