Cutting the ribbon - Photos: Fr Patrick McInerney
Introduction
After more than two years of consultations and drafting, Youth PoWR (Parliament of the World’s Religions), a coalition of young adults from different religions, launched their interfaith charter, The Sydney Statement: Building Bridges Between Believers from Different Religions, at the Sydney Town Hall on 11 March 2021. Civic, religious, community and educational leaders attended, along with students, interfaith advocates, colleagues, friends and family, and representatives of the media. The members of the Youth PoWR Coordinating Committee hosted the event, taking turns to MC the different elements of the program.
Welcome to Country
Theresa Ardler gave the Welcome to Country in language. The Doonooch Dancers provided a spectacular welcome dance.
First Impressions
Rev Dr Patrick McInerney, Project Executive Officer, shared some early reactions to The Sydney Statement. Some people thought it ”too religious”, while others said it was ”not religious enough”; some that it was ”too secular”, others that it was ”not secular and inclusive enough”; for some, that on some social issues, “it goes too far”, for others, on those same social issues, that “it doesn’t go far enough”. To which Rev Dr McInerney exclaimed: “To the young people who authorised The Sydney Statement, I say, if everybody is against it, you must have got it just right!”
He explained that The Sydney Statement never intended to be motherhood platitudes: “Its purpose is not to affirm the status quo, but to disrupt it. It is a call to action.” He noted that not all will agree with everything in the Statement, and added, “nor should they”, for it “includes all religions, faiths, spiritualities and worldviews, so there are many voices and ideas […] but together you can still form a symphony.” He affirmed that The Sydney Statement is “a catalyst for conversation” and urged everyone to engage with it and each other and themselves become “a living Sydney Statement”.
The full text of his speech is available here.
Official Launch
The members of the Youth PoWR Coordinating Committee launched The Sydney Statement by cutting a ribbon, reminiscent of the official opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge on 19 March 1932. The MC recalled that on that occasion a mounted interloper pre-empted the ceremony by slashing the ribbon with his sword. Just as he was reassuring the audience that there would be no such disruption today, there was the sound of a galloping horse and a military figure appeared on stage. However, in a gesture of unity and harmony in accord with The Sydney Statement, the officer joined the official Youth PoWR party, drew his sword and gave it to one of the young women, who cut the ribbon to rapturous applause from the audience.
Keynote Address
In his keynote address, Alpha Cheng gave a powerful, emotional, personal testimony on interfaith. He reflected on his upbringing in a multi-faith family and society, and how that idyll was shattered by the murder of his father, Curtis, who, when leaving work at Parramatta Police Station, was shot and killed by a 15-year-old boy claiming to act for Islamic State. Alpha’s compassionate plea was to not take the easy way out and lay blame at the feet of an entire group of people because of a single act of one extremist. Rather than inflaming tensions, it was “a time to remind us about the things that matter: respect, kindness, compassion, solidarity, peace”.
Alpha affirmed The Sydney Statement’s rejection of extremism but said we must go beyond that and “extinguish” extremism. He cited an example from his own life. When a politician tried to use his father’s death to attack Muslim migration, he stood up for Muslims. He urged, “We all must stand up for each other against prejudice, discrimination and hate.”
Alpha acknowledged The Sydney Statement’s “commitments to love, care, respect, understand, to work together on social issues, peace, the environment, to speak out against discrimination and to promote dialogue”. He added, “In a world filled with increasing tension, violence, hate, mistrust, and fear, these commitments are more powerful than ever.”
The full text of his speech is available here.
Civic Leaders
The Hon Dr Geoff Lee MP, Minister for Multiculturalism, congratulated all involved for their efforts in producing The Sydney Statement. He said, “Today, more than ever, building bridges is so important because we live in an interconnected world […] I hope The Sydney Statement will encourage greater dialogue and interaction between believers from different religions, and it will encourage our diverse faiths to promote peace, justice and unity.”
The video of his speech is available here.
Ms Jodi Mackay MP, Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, said “It is incredibly heartening to see young people take the lead on this important initiative. I believe we have a lot to learn from young people and much to take away from the messages in this charter.” She congratulated the authors on “the work you have undertaken to bring this statement to life is remarkable and an incredible achievement” and said, “I feel privileged to be part of this historic launch.”
Song – The Prayer
For a cultural interlude, award-winning artists, Brian Lorenz and Monique Montez, performed a duet of The Prayer. The lyrics fitted the occasion perfectly:
Sognamo un mondo senza più violenza. We dream of a world with no more violence.
Un mondo di giustizia e di speranza. A world of justice and hope.
Ognuno dia la mano al suo vicino. Everyone lends a hand to their neighbour.
Simbolo di pace e di fraternità. A symbol of peace and fraternity.
The Sydney Statement Website
Mr Ryan Epondulan, Project Youth Coordinator, then demonstrated the simplicity, accessibility, functionality and resources of The Sydney Statement website. The website contains links to national and international interfaith organisations, articles on interfaith, religious organisations in Australia, and endorsements by civic and religious leaders. Most importantly, Youth PoWR invite people to pledge to living out the values, principles and commitments of The Sydney Statement by signing up.
Four Responses
Four people then gave responses to The Sydney Statement, two religious leaders, one from the Abrahamic religions and the other from the Dharmic religions, and two members from the Youth PoWR Coordinating Committee.
Rabbi Phil Kaplan presented the message of Rabbi Benjamin Elton, Chief Minister of The Great Synagogue, who paid tribute to all those involved in creating The Sydney Statement: “It is particularly inspiring that it is the work of young people”, showing that “the capacity for idealism, application and vision that has always been associated with the young is still present”. Rabbi Elton stressed the positive role that religions can play in the world, especially when they cooperate with each other on common concerns, as the Statement proposes.
The full text of his speech is available here.
Zubaida Alrubai, a Muslim member of the Youth PoWR Committee, shared how, when she was a newly arrived migrant with limited English, a simple conversation from school classmates made her feel welcome and accepted. She testified that The Sydney Statement is about communication, about building bridges between people, getting to know and understand each other’s stories, joys, struggles and hopes. She also shared how having talked about The Sydney Statement to a class in school, they put aside their text and started sharing about their experiences and hopes for interfaith. It was, she noted, “The Sydney Statement in action”, and concluded, “The Sydney Statement is essential, it is important, and it is it is what is needed to contribute to the growth and wellbeing of our society”.
The full text of her speech is available here.
Rev Pravrajika Gayatriprana, President of the Ramakrishna Sarada Vedanta Society of NSW, drew from the long history and her own experience of the many religions in India co-existing in harmony side-by-side. She commended The Sydney Statement: “I am very happy and proud that the youth of Sydney - of the Youth PoWR - have spent so much time and energy to chalk out the values they want to uphold. Their commitment to not just tolerate but accept other faiths and to treat the people of other faiths with respect, recognising their commonalities and differences, is laudable”.
The full text of her speech is available here.
Joshua Moses, a Jewish member of the Youth PoWR Coordinating Committee, shared how interfaith breaks down stereotypes and barriers. He acknowledged that moving outside our own bubbles can be uncomfortable, but it is enriching for individuals and for society. He affirmed that The Sydney Statement is “a living and breathing contract that calls us all to action” and “exemplifies the future we hope to see our society become”.
The full text of his speech is available here.
Thank You
Youth PoWR Committee Members - Photo: Fr Patrick McInerney
Ryan Epondulan, Project Youth Officer, thanked all involved in the launch of The Sydney Statement, the speakers, the performers, the Youth PoWR Coordinating Committee members, Theresa Yan-Lin who designed the posters, booklet and website, the members of the Steering Committee, the partners from Western Sydney University, the members of the Executive, and most especially, the guests in attendance. After exhorting them to “Build Bridges Between Believers from Different Religions”, he introduced the final performance.
Final Performance
L-FRESH The Lion, hip hop artist and producer from Western Sydney who has been described as one of Australia's most important rappers, performed his song, Faithful. The lyrics speak of our common humanity and connecting with people, with the chorus expressing commitment:
I stay faithful though the road may be long.
I stay faithful in my belief to carry on.
Conclusion
After the formalities, refreshments were served and everyone mingled and chatted, students, teachers, religious leaders, civic leaders, educators, young adults, family and friends. The launch of The Sydney Statement had generated an amazing buzz of high energy and enthusiasm, testimony to its power to transform society. The launch was the first major public interfaith event since the COVID shutdown in 2020. That it was such a powerful, positive and inspirational event lifted everyone’s spirits.
The Sydney Statement is an initiative of the Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations, in partnership with Western Sydney University. It was supported by the NSW Government with a COMPACT Grant through Multicultural NSW and underwritten by St Columban’s Mission Society.
Rev Dr Patrick McInerney is the Director of the Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations.
Related links
- The Sydney Statement - A5 Booklet
- The Sydney Statement - A1 Poster
- The Sydney Statement - A4 Poster (10 Pack)
