Australia has once again displayed itself as a true world leader in social cohesion, with faiths coming together to celebrate religious education on Tuesday evening, 12 November, at NSW Parliament House and live-streamed to many others.
Following Hindus individuals/organisations have been awarded for their services to Hindu SRE during the event.
1. Chinmaya Mission Australia, for their ‘Chinmaya Hindu’ Curriculum, accepted by Swami Shrikarananda.
2. Hindu Council of Australia, for their ‘Hindu SRE Secondary School’ Curriculum, accepted by Kavita Nampalli.
3. JET Australia Foundation, for their ‘Jet Australia Foundation SRE’ Curriculum, accepted by Malarvallil Vythees.
4. The Saiva Maram, for their ‘Hindu Religious Studies Curriculum’ Curriculum, accepted by Ms Parathidevi Saravanamuthu.
5. Vishva Hindu Parishad of Australia, for their ‘Vishva Hindu Parishad SRE’ Curriculum, accepted by Mrs Uma Rajesh.
In a bipartisan show of strength and collaboration, NSW Minister for Education Prue Car MP and Shadow Education Minister Sarah Mitchell MLC addressed a capacity gathering reaffirming their commitment to faith and Special Religious Education (SRE) at NSW schools.
The strong support comes as Faith NSW successfully advocated for the introduction of a bullying help and support line for NSW students and teachers who experience faith-based bullying at NSW public schools.
Murray Norman, CEO of Faith NSW and Better Balanced Futures shared a message of encouragement and gratitude. Norman said, “We acknowledge the strength of Special Religious Education (SRE) in our schools and the many thousands of volunteers who give up their time to teach each week.
“Tonight provides an opportunity for our leaders to see the impact people of faith are having in their local communities. That is modern multicultural Australia on display, and we thank everyone involved in taking the world’s best practices in religious education and injecting it into Australian education. We are leaders in the field of religious education in government schools.”
Darren Bark, co-chair of Faith NSW and Better Balanced Futures, said, “Australia continues to demonstrate why it is truly the best country in the world to live in. We embrace and lean into our shared values with Australian faith communities lighting the way toward a more united and compassionate nation. Faith is an investment that yields societal dividends for all.”
Bark said that “while our society is made up of a tapestry of multiculturalism, our schools don’t always represent this and now is the time to empower our students, develop their critical thinking and better multiculturalise our schools.”
The gathering at NSW Parliament demonstrates the faith communities’ commitment to these goals. Recently faith communities came together to send a clear message with a statement from the NSW Faith Affairs Council.
If you missed out and would like to watch it again, you can do that here.
