More than 150 students from six schools across Greater Sydney gathered celebrate the conclusion of this year’s session of the Interfaith Encounters Program. Source: Catholic Mission.
Bringing together students from both Catholic and Islamic school communities, the four-month program pairs schools from each faith, giving young people the opportunity to learn about one another’s beliefs, traditions and cultures. Along the way, they discover that, beyond their differences, they share many common values and aspirations.
Hosted by St Benedict’s Catholic College, Oran Park, Monday’s celebration brought together students, teachers and representatives from partner organisations for a day of engaging activities, recognising the friendships, mutual understanding and respect that had grown throughout the program.
Daniel Nour, representing the COMPACT program from Multicultural NSW, spoke about the importance of supporting initiatives that strengthen social cohesion and foster understanding between communities.
“This project offers culturally safe environments where young people can discuss the sacred with members of other communities, crossing the sometimes-restrictive barriers of culture and ethnicity to connect deeply through authentic conversations. In our fraught times, this work is more needful than ever,” Mr Nour said.
As the program continues to expand, welcoming more schools and extending its reach, a research team from the Western Sydney University has been measuring its impact.
Their evidence-based research is helping demonstrate the program’s positive outcomes for participants and the wider community, while providing valuable insights that may inspire similar initiatives elsewhere.
“By listening to the stories and experiences from participants in this initiative, we seek to showcase the incredible impact of this program on the students and wider community in enhancing interfaith understanding and countering racism,” Dr Rifaie Tammas, from Western Sydney University, said.
The Interfaith Encounters Program was founded by Catherine Towiro, mission formation coordinator at Catholic Mission.
Drawing on her extensive and diverse lived experience, Ms Towiro recognised the importance of creating a safe and welcoming space where young people could openly explore their own faith while engaging in meaningful conversations with peers from different religious backgrounds.
By building bridges of friendship, respect and understanding, she envisioned the program as a practical response to prejudice, racism and misunderstanding.
Today, the program is delivered by Catholic Mission in partnership with Together for Humanity, with the support from the Multicultural NSW’s COMPACT program.
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(Catholic Mission)
