Spinak to speak at youth event
Hundreds of youth from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds will assemble for the inaugural Youth Parliament of World Religions (Youth PoWR) forum in Sydney.
President of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies will address the event.
NSWJBD President Jeremy Spinak Photo: Ben Apfelbaum
Prominent representatives from the Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish and Baha’i communities will address the gathering. Minister for Multiculturalism John Ajaka will attend the event along with other prominent civic and religious leaders.
“Ours is a multi-faith society. Harmony can only be achieved by reaching out to the “other” and getting to know them as my “sister” and my “brother,” said Columban Mission Institute Director Rev Dr Patrick McInerney. “Youth PoWR provides an opportunity for the youth of Sydney to come together to shape our multi-religious society.”
Youth PoWR is an initiative of the Columban Mission Institute and is being coordinated by a multi-faith team of young people who have worked together throughout the past year to organise the event. Youth PoWR is a precursor to the Parliament of the World’s Religions, a global interfaith event that will take place in Salt Lake City next month.
“I continue to discover how much I have in common with each of the organising team members. I am proud to call them my friends,” said co-organiser Satjit Singh from the Sikh community. Team member Mark Scotto from the Melkite Catholic community prays that Youth PoWR enlightens people to see God in one another, regardless of an individual’s faith. “Achieving that would be a significant step forward for all of us, as we would come to better respect the significance around why we are all here,” said Scotto.
The event will feature performances from Aboriginal students, spoken word poet Ahmad Al-Rady and a Polynesian dance group from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Glenn Falkenstein been the Jewish representative on the organising committee from the commencement of the project and will be co-MCing the event with Ashleigh Green from the Columban Mission Institute.
Youth PoWR will take place at the Sydney Baha’i Centre (107 Derby St, Silverwater). Doors open at 6.15pm and there is an optional $5 donation at the door.
