Inclusive approach to global issues

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Inclusive approach to global issues
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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

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• Interfaith events are already happening up and
  down the country

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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?

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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

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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 ones faith.
• It is not about converting someone to ones own
  viewpoint.

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A space where everyone feels...

• Welcome
• Included
• Comfortable to be themselves
• These are the foundation blocks of any good
  interfaith event

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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

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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)

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• 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