Dear friends,
A multi-faith conference in honour of World Religion Day will be held,
Sunday, January 20th, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Place: David Lam auditorium, MacLaurin Building (A)*
University of Victoria
The theme of the conference is: Justice and Compassion – Where is the Balance? The public is warmly invited to attend this free event, which will include panel discussions with local members of 8 world faiths, music, a question and answer period, displays and refreshments.
The event is sponsored by the Bahá’í community of Victoria, the Victoria Multifaith Society, the Inter-Cultural Association of Victoria, Restorative Justice Victoria, and Mead Simon the Baha’i representative with UVic Multifaith Services.
Program:
1:30 pm Audience views displays and chooses seats.
1:45 pm Welcome by MC, Dr. Elaine McCreary.
1:50 pm Video Presentation: “I Was Here”
1.55 pm Keynote, Mead Simon of UVic Multifaith Services.
2:00 pm Moderated Panel of Faiths, Question1: Christian, Islam, Aboriginal Spirituality, Buddhist.
2:40 pm Audience Interactive Pause.
2:45 pm Moderated Panel of Faiths, Question 2: Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Baha’i.
3:25 pm Audience Q & A for panel.
3:40 pm Closing arts presentation.
3:45 pm Refreshments in the lobby, with displays and information.
MC and Discussion Chair: Dr Elaine McCreary.
Dr. McCreary has been a tenured professor in the field of lifelong learning as applied to social and economic development. Her degrees are in in Andragogy, History and Philosophy of Adult Education, and information science. she has worked for over five years in Haifa, Isreal at the Baha’i World Centre and has served as the Baha’i representative in UVic Multifaith Services. She currently works for the BC Ministry of Advanced Education.
Discussion Panel One.
Question: How do we balance compassion and justice, based on the teachings and spiritual principles of our respective faiths?
Islam: Sheikh Afraz Baksh. Immam of the Masjid Al-Iman, the new mosque of Victoria’s Muslim community, now estimated at 2000 members, more than one-quarter being students. Afraz is also the Muslim Chaplain for UVic Multifaith Services.
Christian: Jenn Geddes. Jenn is currently the Presbyterian Chaplain for UVic Multifaith Services.
Buddhist: Venerable Eshu Martin. He is the guiding force behind the Victoria Zen Centre and the past chair of the World Interfaith Education Association (BC).
Aboriginal Spirituality: Sabrina Williams. Sabrina is the Cultural Programs Coordinator at Surrounded by Cedar Child and Family Services. She is from Quw’utsun territory and has worked with Aboriginal organizations for over twenty years.
Discussion Panel Two.
Question: What does a compassionate world and compassionate community look like, especially when dealing with those who hold different world views?
Baha’i Faith: Dr. Mary-Wynne Ashford. Mary was a family doctor and Palliative Care Physician for 15 years, was active in the nuclear disarmament movement. She has received the prestigious Gandhi Award and the Governor General of Canada’s medal on two occasions.
Judaism: Rabbi Harry Brechner. Harry has been the spritual leader of Congregation Emanu-El in Victoria, he has served as the head and director of education for a number of schools in the USA. He has a background in early childhood education and child development.
Hinduism: Dr. Shashi Prasad is active in the Hindu community in Victoria. She has degrees in the Hindi language and Litrerature, Comparative Religion and Philosophy and has taught at universities in India and Canada including the University of Victoria.
Sikhism: Jagir Singh Virk has served as the Sikh Board member for the Victoria Multifaith Society since 2010. He has an M.A. in Sociology and an M.B.A. He has lived in Victoria since 1994, working as a mental health worker and a real estate agent.
We look forward to seeing you at this exciting and joyful event!
Kind regards,
S. Flood for the WRD Organizing Committee
* The closest parking lots are near the Music Wing of the MacLaurin Building and also the Fine Arts Building / Interfaith chapel. There is no charge on Sunday for either lot.