2009 Parliament of the World’s Religions Meeting of Melbourne, December 3 – 9 Who’s who at the conference the faiths Highlights program Proudly supported by NATAGE F001 ADVERTISEMENTSometimes even religion needs a Sand Artist - Stephan Eleftheriadis written by Parvyn Kaur Singh Cultural Infusion will be coordinating a Stephan began drawing as a cartoonist for a Prasanna has come to Australia as a based in the Hindu tradition highlighting series of events for the Parliament of the local Greek newspaper and now through professional Bansuri player. Cultural Infusion the words “Om”, signifying the first sound of World’s Religions conference to be held in the artistic direction of Peter Mousaferiadis, has helped him establish himself as a the universe and “Shanti”, which is a Melbourne from the 3rd – 9th of December. Stephan has been able to extend his abilities professional musician and continues to universal call for peace. Shobha will also be The opening ceremony will be the first large to become a highly sought after visual artist support him by organising performances presenting a solo performance at the scale production presented in Plenary Hall who has been invited to perform at the and workshops in school programs and International Plenary event on Saturday at the Melbourne Convention Exhibition Shanghai World Expo in 2010. other events. 5 December at 9:30am. Centre, Southbank, with a cast of over 500 Many musicians have eagerly accepted the Vinod recognises the importance of the Supporting local up-coming acts is an performers. Peter Mousaferiadis, CEO of not- invitation to perform at the event such as Parliament of the World’s Religions as being important part of Cultural Infusion’s mission for-profit organisation, Cultural Infusion Afghani musician, Khalil Gudaz, who will be an opportunity for people from all religions of promoting cultural artists and performers and Creative Director of the Parliament of playing sitar as part of the opening around the world to come together and in the wider community. Fuefukuro is a local the World’s Religions ceremonies is ceremony. Khalil represents the Islamic Sufi share their knowledge with each other. Melbourne band based in traditional passionate about his work in cultural arts tradition that has strong connections to “Every religion thinks that they are best, but Japanese music, which incorporates the and views it as an important element of music and arts. “I want to share my music I believe all religions teach the same thing”. Shinobue (bamboo flute) and Japanese intercultural and interfaith projects. “I have with people and show that Muslim’s enjoy “Religion should be free and up to the Taiko drum and dance. The group was always been interested in religions, culture music”. Khalil believes that Cultural Infusion individual… saying to people you have to formed in 2008 and will be part of the and art and see it as the greatest tool to programs remind us to live in peace, trust follow a certain path is wrong”. The Cultural Infusion schools program for 2010. create peace”, he says. and respect for others. “If we don’t have any Parliament of the World’s Religions is The Parliament of the World’s Religions is Several artists already involved with Cultural peace, we don’t have any music”. Music is a bringing musicians from all different providing a unique opportunity for the Infusion will be performing as part of the method of creating cultural understanding cultures together in a beautiful cultural group to perform their music and share opening and closing ceremonies that will and peace between all people. blend of sound. their culture with a large international bring together unique artists presenting Shobha Sekhar, from the audience. “It’s such a big event and it is an their own artistic interpretations for the Kalakruthi School of Indian honour for us to be involved”, says Hitomi event. New music has been composed for Classical Music, will be Valentino. “Melbourne is such a diverse city the opening ceremony that will feature an presenting a specially where people openly accept all cultures overture for didgeridoo, choir and orchestra composed piece titled “Om from around the world”, says the performer by Dmitri Golovko “The Rise of Bunjil” and Shanti Om” at the Parliament of who is looking forward to gaining “Been Here for Ever” by Peter Mousaferiadis the World’s Religions opening inspiration and experience from the event. performed by the Royal Melbourne ceremony. “Cultural Infusion is Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra, The Parliament of the World’s Religions doing a great job as an umbrella conducted by Andrew Wailes. opening ceremony will be held at the organisation bringing different Plenary Hall, Melbourne Convention Special items to look out for include cultures together in an Exhibition Centre, Southbank from 7pm on Australian sand artist Stephan Eleftheriadis educative and entertaining the 3rd of December, 2009. Tickets will be (see picture above) who will be presenting way”, says Shobha. available at the door. For other event details shifting and evolving imagery drawn Inspired by Swami Vivekananda visit www.parliamentofreligions.org from religious symbols through the Afghani musician - Khalil Gudaz and his efforts at the first Parliament of the ephemeral medium of sand. Born in Cultural Infusion is a national not-for-profit World’s Religions in 1893, Shobha’s focus is Footscray, Stephan has always been organisation utilising arts, culture and Khalil’s inspiration comes from the on the spiritual aspects of religion and immersed in Pontian Greek Orthodox technology to promote harmony, diversity, teachings of Rumi who believes there is believes the purpose of this event is not culture balanced with his Australian identity. inclusiveness and well-being in schools and beauty in all religions and promotes the about creating tolerance but respect for all “I think a lack of understanding in schools communities. For more information about ideal of unity between all people. Khalil has people. “We should be focusing on peace, can cause problems”, “also having a thirteen their range of programs focusing on established a music school where he tranquillity, and happiness in society and letter last name doesn’t make things easy health and well-being, along with cultural and continues to teach Hindustani and Afghani create understanding and respect” she says, for a kid”. Working with Cultural Infusion has social inclusiveness please refer to music to the next generation and has and the Parliament of the World’s Religions allowed Stephan the opportunity to help page 7 of this publication as well as students from all ethnic backgrounds. is a great occasion for all religions to show increase cultural understanding through www.culturalinfusion.org.au what they stand for. Shobha’s special item is educational programs to benefit children. Originating from Varanasi in India, Vinod Get involved with the Parliament (more details on page 15) The Parliament of the World’s Religions is open to everyone. A range of attractive registration packages will be available for purchase onsite at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 11am this Thursday morning, 3rd December. Credit card and cash. 7 day registration All Parliament sessions 3rd to 9th December, including Evening Plenaries $624.00 (concession $572.00) 3 day registration Friday 4th / Saturday 5th / Sunday 6th OR Monday 7th / Tuesday 8th /Wednesday 9th Includes all sessions and Plenaries for relevant days $374.40 1 day registration Choice of any single day. Includes all sessions and Plenary for that day $197.60 6 Plenary package All Evening Plenaries inc. Opening (Thursday 3rd), International Plenary (Saturday 5th), Sacred Music Concert (Sunday 6th), Youth Plenary (Monday 7th), Melbourne Plenary (Tuesday 8th) and Closing Plenary (afternoon of Wednesday 9th) $250.00 MELBOURNE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE 3 Plenary package Choice of three of the above Plenaries $150.00 CI-TheAge-2 Part-funded by the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship, the Victorian Government and the City of Melbourne. NATAGE F002 THE AGE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2009 MEETING OF THE FAITHS 3 Foreword ODAY The Age publishes this special news liftout on Meeting of the faiths the Parliament of the World’s Religions, which begins Parliament of the World’s Religions its week-long deliberations on Thursday. comes to Melbourne T December 3-9, 2009 This is just the fourth sitting of this parliament in The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre the modern era — the others took place in Chicago (1993), Cape Contents Town (1999) and Barcelona (2004) — so Melbourne, and Australia, ‘Battle for hearts and minds’ — Barney Zwartz 4, 5 can feel great pride in being selected to host this august assembly, Religion in Australia: Facts and fi gures 6 with its thousands of delegates. Some of the key speakers 8, 9 Melbourne delights, and is well versed, in playing the role Opinion — Gary Bouma 10 of host; we not only attract a spectacular array of national and Religion and science — Sushi Das 11 international sporting events but also a diverse calendar of cultural Program of highlights 13, 14 and entertainment blockbusters, as well as world-stage forums such as the G20 group of countries. The theme for the Parliament of the World’s Religions in 2009 is, broadly, about making a difference through hearing one another and “healing the earth”. These sentiments resonate loudly as the world grapples with such pressing issues as poverty, social cohesion, religious and political tolerance, and the environment. In this special liftout, we asked religion editor Barney Zwartz to examine what the parliament will try to achieve over the next few days and how its discussions may translate into action. His overview appears on the next two pages. Senior writer Sushi Das interviewed one of the world’s foremost scientists, Paul Davies, for his views on the vexed, and contentious, Editor Sean O’Connor Sub-editing/production question of whether religion and science can happily co-exist.