Parliament of Worlds Religion 2009 Melbourne Australia

Author(s): Parliament of the World’s Religions
Publisher: USA Parliament of the Worlds Religions

Page 336

PROGRAM D
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
2:30-4:00pm ENGAGEMENT SESSION
Committee Member to the National Centre for Excellence in Islamic Education and also to the Griffith University Multi Faith Centre. He is a Co-Chairman of the National Dialogue between Australian Christians. Jews and Muslims. Brian Shanahan was re-elected in the 2008 elections. He is a former Councillor and Mayor of the City of Essendon, and Foundation President of the Aberfeldie Residents Association. Brian sits on all City of Melbourne council committees, including the Audit Committee. He is the Chair of the monthly Finance and Governance Committee and Deputy Chair of the bi-monthly Eco-City Committee. He is presently a community relations and migration consultant and has been an adviser to the Victorian Cabinet Secretary, the Victorian Minister for Health and the Secretary of the Victorian Ethnic Affairs Commission. Brian was awarded the Federation Medal in 2002 and, in 2003, received an award for services to multiculturalism. He was President of the Celtic Club from 1995-1997 and 2000-2006
The Gift of Global Community Charles Gibbs, Moderator Yoland Trevino Sarah Talcott Rev Heng Sure Marites Africa Room 210 Are you yearning to feel globally connected on a human scale that values your uniqueness and connects you with spiritual sisters and brothers around the world in being a global force for change? Come learn about and experience the United Religions Initiative (URII, a way of life, a place where you can be different and one at the same time. This session, led by URI's founding Executive Director, the Rev Canon Charles P Gibbs, will explore the gifts offered to its members and the world by URI's global community. manifested through the work of 420 Cooperation Circles in 72 countries. Areas of exploration will include being globally connected and locally rooted and relevant; being a force for positive social change; developing young leaders; inviting the voice and wisdom of Indigenous communities; empowering grassroots peacebuilding, and sharing the gifts of prayer, meditation and music. The Rev Canon Charles Gibbs serves as Executive Director of the United Religions Initiative, a global interfaith network for peace active in 72 countries Yoland Trevino is a globally respected Indigenous leader of Mayan ancestry and the Global Council Chair of the United Religions Initiative. Sarah Talcott is the globally respected director of the United Religions Initiative's Young Leaders Program. Rev Heng Sure is an American Buddhist monk of the Chan tradition, He lives at the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery in Berkeley, California, and teaches at the Graduate Theological Union there. He is leader of the United Religions Initiative's Wisdom and Vision Council. Marites Africa is a pioneer of grassroots Christian/Muslim peacebuilding and United Religions Initiative Global Council Trustee.
Expressing Our Links with the Environment Anne Boyd Trevor Parton Carmel Crameri Pat Long Rathika Suresh Mahadeva Mangalam Vasan Room 212 Interactive Workshop Two ways to express our relationship to our Earth will be presented in this interactive workshop from Earthsong. Presenters and participants will explore Earth Literacy and Earth Ethics and the concept of right relationships among all members of the planetary community Participants will be encouraged to celebrate all of creation as a sacred, spiritual and ongoing event. This session will include a nature-related classical Indian dance and a drama that incorporates Ramayana and global warming. The choreography is by PT Narendran from Chennai. Music is provided by O S Arun, who specialises in North and South Indian music, with lyrics by eco-poet V V Subramanium. Anne Boyd is a member of the EarthSong Coordinating Team. Trevor Parton is Director of the Centre for Ecology and Spirituality, Glenburn, Yarra Valley Carmel Crameri is a member of the EarthSong Coordinating Team. Pat Long is a member of the EarthSong Coordinating Team Rathika Suresh Mahadeva, a disciple of the famous Dhananjayans of Chennai, directs the Melbourne-based Barathakalanjali Dance School Barathkalanjali has completed ten successful years of dance education, specifically in Barathanatyam, maintaining the Kalakshetra style of dance. Mangalam Vasan teaches Hinduism in Glen Waverley and Box Hill Tamil Schools and the Shiva Vishnu Temple at Carrum Downs. She has participated in interreligious dialogues in various countries. A highlight of her participation in interreligious dialogues was at the Assembly of World Religions in San Francisco in 1990, when she was chosen to be part of the plenary speakers and congratulated by the chairman Rev Kwak on being an asset to the Assembly.
Rivers of Life: Community, Water and Spirit in Australia Elyse Rider Sylvie Shaw Carol McDonough Jamel K Dhillon Room 213 Interactive Workshop This session explores the social, spiritual and ecological aspects of two important Australian Rivers: the Murray River and the Brisbane River. Panellists will relay their experiences of connecting with the communities who depend upon these rivers as well as their personal experiences of engaging with the local environment. The GreenFaith Australia team will share footage and stories from their recent interfaith pilgrimage to the Southern
332 PWR - Parliament of the World's Religions Jain Education International