About the Northern Interfaith/Intercultural Network
Patron Kotte Santhindriya speaks at the project launch (from Daham Ni Ketanaya Buddhist Temple).
The launch of the Northern Interfaith/Intercultural Network.
The overall aim of this project is to design a model for a dynamic and sustainable interfaith and intercultural network for the northern region of Melbourne, a region famous for its cultural diversity. It will be based on active collaboration between the La Trobe University Centre for Dialogue, five municipalities and eight partner organizations from the faith and cultural sector. Expected to be the first regionally developed network of its kind in Australia, this innovative, three year project aims to engage with local communities to identify their common social concerns.
It is intended that the network will connect various community-related organisations, such as government, religious, media, sporting, education and welfare bodies. This network will coordinate, supplement and enhance any pre-existing community based projects, plus provide recommendations to establish new framework(s) that will help improve the projects objectives. Finally, the network will develop a model that could be applied to other regions in Australia and abroad.
The project consists four distinct phases:
Phase One: Research and Community Consultation (2007 - 2008)
- A survey of local interfaith and intercultural initiatives to determine best practice in Australia (especially in Victoria) and internationally
- A quantitative and qualitative survey of public attitudes in the northern region of Melbourne (questionnaire and focus groups)
Phase Two: Design of Network (2008)
Design a pilot scheme for the establishment of a regional interfaith/intercultural network. The design phase will address the following key issues: structure and composition of the network; range of activities, such as educational initiatives; role of councils; resources; and long-term viability.
Phase Three: Implementation of Network (2008 - 2010)
This phase will involve close consultation and collaboration with the partner organisations, careful observation and documentation of all aspects of the implementation program, and a preliminary assessment of progress after the first nine months.
Phase Four: Evaluation and Future Planning (2010)
This will comprise:
- assess the effectiveness and viability of the network, and its various activities
- general and specific recommendations aimed at various stakeholders and interested bodies for the long-term development of the network
- proposals for the possible application of the model to other regional settings in Australia
- Project Coordinators
- Dr Michális S. Michael
- Steph Matti
- Supporting Organisations
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- Councils
- Banyule City Council
- City of Darebin
- Hume City Council
- Moreland City Council
- City of Whittlesea
- Organisations
- Australian Multicultural Foundation
- Buddhist Council of Victoria
- Uniting Church of Australia Commission for Mission
- Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria
- Islamic Council of Victoria
- Jewish Community Council of Victoria
- Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre
- Victorian Council of Churches
- Funding Bodies
- Australian Government Australian Research Council Linkage Grants
- State Government of Victoria