The Australian Context
A multi-religious, multi-lingual, and multicultural city, Melbourne is an ideal place to hold the world’s largest interreligious gathering. Culturally vibrant, Melbourne and Victoria are home to indigenous and aboriginal communities.
Melbourne has demonstrated collaboration among its religious communities through inter-religious councils, school programs, and solidarity in times of stress and crisis. Melbourne has formed a council that works to ensure ongoing collaboration between religious leaders and police.
An active and multi-dimensional city nexus includes government initiatives to support inter-religious engagement and organizations at the community level. Melbourne’s social policy model fosters cohesion and harmony in a multicultural and multi-religious society. The Parliament will showcase Melbourne’s practices and policies designed to assist in integrating immigrants and refugees.
Within Australia, aboriginal reconciliation issues are pressing. The Parliament provides the opportunity to engage these issues within a larger context. Those gathered will have the opportunity to explore new approaches to aboriginal reconciliation through dialogue with indigenous peoples from other countries. Participants will also have the opportunity to explore the themes of sustainability and global climate change through the lens of indigenous spirituality.
More on Australia
Australia is a vast country of nearly three million square kilometres, stretching from the tip of tropical Cape York Peninsula in the Coral Sea down to the cold wilderness at South East Cape in Tasmania, from the beautiful beaches and semi-tropical forests of Cape Byron to the arid Steep Point in Western Australia by the Indian Ocean. For more than 60,000 years over 250 distinct Aboriginal groups lived in a sophisticated society harmoniously connected to every parcel of their sacred land. Today, most Australians live on the coastline of Australia, between the forests and the beaches, where the climate is warm in the summer and temperate in the winters. In the interior Australia is a vast desert, home to the ‘Red Centre' and some of the most dramatic and barren country on Earth.
Australia became known as the ‘lucky country’ during the twentieth century owing to seemingly endless supply of natural resources including iron ore, copper, gold and natural gas together with cattle and sheep that were so numerous that people said Australia moved forward “on the sheep’s back”! The excellent educational opportunities in Australia has ensured Australia’s success in scientific and cultural achievements, boasting Nobel Prize winners, Booker Prize winners, Academy Award recipients and everything in between.
The accommodating weather and striking landscapes has made Australia a favourite destination for international and domestic holiday-makers, ensuring Australia’s tourism industry is a vital part of the local economy. The fine weather and high standard of living is also responsible for Australia’s love affair with sports of all kinds.
If you have never visited Australia this Conference provides you with the perfect opportunity. Be sure to set aside at least a few weeks to see some of our wonderful country. From the magic of the city of Sydney and its Opera House and Harbour Bridge, to the spiritual heartland of native Australia at Uluru and the Olgas in the ‘red centre’. From the Tuscan like hills and vineyards of Victoria to the cultural, entertainment and gastronomic capital of Melbourne. From the breathtaking beauty of the wilds of Kakadu in the north, to the pristine white sands of the surf beaches of the central and northern coasts of Australia, the Whitsunday Islands and the famous Great Barrier Reef. There is too much of Australia to enjoy on a single visit so we encourage you to start your love affair with our country now!
• See Australia - www.australia.com
• Australian Tourism Directory – www.touristaustralia.com.au
About Melbourne, Victoria
Melbourne
Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria, Australia has a rich diversity of cultures, languages and religions. There are more than 180 languages spoken in and around the city, with 10 per cent of the population speaking a language other than English at home. More than 100 different religions and faiths are practised by Melbourne residents.
There is always something exciting happening in and around Melbourne, be it a festival of one of the world’s faiths, special days of religious significance, a world-renowned sporting event, an exciting arts festival or a conference of leading thinkers.
Melbourne is the events capital of Australia, matching world class facilities and unique experiences with a warm and cosmopolitan community. Within an hour’s drive of the city you’ll find landscapes of immense natural beauty including pristine beaches and mountains, historic towns and boutique wineries.
The Parliament of the World’s Religions will be an opportunity for people of all religions to celebrate their faith and build networks with those of different faiths.
• That’s Melbourne – www.thatsmelbourne.com.au
• Visit Victoria – www.visitvictoria.com
• Tourism Australia – www.australia.com
