Interfaith Week 2010 will take place across England and Wales from Sunday 21 to Saturday 27 November. The aims of the Week are to strengthen good inter faith relations at all levels; to increase awareness of the different and distinct faith communities in the UK, in particular celebrating and building on the contribution which their members make to their neighbourhoods and to wider society; and to increase understanding between people of religious and non-religious belief. This will be the second time that such a Week has taken place in England and Wales. It builds on the very successful pattern of events held last November which ranged from social action events, to discussions and dialogues, inter faith football matches, meals, inter faith walks and pilgrimages, festivals and celebrations, tree plantings, exhibitions, concerts, film festivals, activities in schools and in FE and HE and other institutions. See Interfaith Week 2009 for reports of events held.
Co-Chairs of the Inter Faith Network for the UK, Rt Revd Dr Alastair Redfern and Dr Girdari Lal Bhan, said “Inter Faith Week offers a tremendous opportunity for shared learning, making new connections and deepening inter faith understanding.” It is hoped that faith communities across the country will take part, alongside schools, colleges, universities, local authorities, health care organisations, and many others.
The Week is being led by the Inter Faith Network for the UK, working with its member bodies, in consultation with the Department for Communities and Local Government, and also with the Local Government Association and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
For more information along with ideas and funding opportunities visit the Inter Faith Week website.
Sunday 21 November, 2.00 to 5.30pm
Celebration of Community and Faith Fair
This event being arranged by the Cambridge Inter-Faith Group will be held at the Meadows Community
Centre, 1 St Catharine's Road, Cambridge. The Mayor will be the first speaker followed by representatives of different faiths. The theme is "Faith and Prayer". Local faith groups are invited to have stalls at the Faith Fair which will be in the same room as the Celebration. Refreshments will be available and entry will be free.
Contact David Wilman for more information.
Monday 22 November, Afternoon
East of England Regional Launch - Afternoon Exhibition
The regional launch of Interfaith Week 2010, organised by the East of England Faiths Council,
will be held at the Shire Hall, Cambridge. This afternoon event will include an exhibition, presentation of local inter faith awards and a networking opportunity.
For further information please contact Kate Phizacklea at the East of England Faiths Council on 01223 421606 or email
the EEFC office.
Monday 22 November, Evening
East of England Regional Launch - Evening Debate
The Evening Debate, organised by the East of England Faiths Council, will also be held at the Shire Hall, Cambridge. This will be a panel discussion on science and religion.
For further information please contact Kate Phizacklea at the East of England Faiths Council on 01223 421606 or email the EEFC office. More details to follow soon.
Wednesday 24 November, 3.30pm
Celebrating Faiths in Health Care
Ipswich Hospital is planning this event, "Celebrating Faiths in Health Care" with the theme of 'Reflections'. This will take place at The Post Graduate Centre, Ipswich Hospital, Heath Road, Ipswich IP4 5PD, starting at 3.30pm. For more information, please contact the Chaplaincy Team on 01473 704100.
Thursday 25 November
All Together Now
This Conference, hosted by Wisbech Interfaith Forum, will be at the Wisbech Boathouse Business Centre. The Conference will provide an opportunity for Faith Groups to explore their work with local communities and how, through working together, their current work could be built on to improve community relationships. The Conference will be opened by Cllr Alan Melton, leader of Fenland District Council and the keynote speaker will be Dr Edward Kessler of the Woolf Institute in Cambridge. Participants will take part in workshops and a question and answer session.
Contact Sean Finlay on 01945 584737 for more information.
A relevant source of funding for local Interfaith Week linked events and projects in England is the Faiths in Action Fund of Communities and Local Government. Faith, interfaith and other voluntary and community sector groups and organisations working at local level in England can apply for grants for up to £6,000 from this programme which is administered by the Community Development Foundation (CDF). Further information on Faiths in Action can be found at Community Development Foundation or by telephoning 01223 406553 or emailing fundingadmin@cdf.org.uk.
