DIVERSEcity community resources

societyInter-Faith Bridging Initiatives

A presentation for “Religion and Society” Symposium – February 2, 2011

Established October 1978 Mission: “To promote the independence of New

Canadians and to build strong, culturally diverse communities.”

168 staff and approximately 125 volunteers Accredited with Council on Accreditation

For more information on our programs and services, please visit us at: www.dcrs.ca

ABOUT DIVERSEcity

Client-centred & Holistic services Service Quality Accountability Transparency Innovation and Responsiveness Capacity Building – clients and community

Operational Principles

2002: DIVERSEcity’s initial engagement with an Inter-Faith project

HARMONY: A Community Forum on Islam was held on March 16, 2002 to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (March 21st)

In the beginning . . .

The goals of the forum were: To promote harmony between Muslims and non-

Muslims locally. To provide a forum through which non-Muslims

can increase their knowledge and understanding of Islam and Muslims.

To bring together a diverse group of Muslims to work collaboratively on identifying common issues and developing collaborative strategies.

HARMONY:A Community Forum on Islam

The Ministry of Citizen’s Services and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism announces funding for Inter-Faith Bridging Projects under the EmbraceBC initiative.

DIVERSEcity explored opportunities to partner with a community based initiative . . .

Fast Forward to 2009

Mission Statement:

The Surrey Neighbouring Faiths Program builds community capacity for multi-faith

learning and dialogue with a focus onchildren and families.

Surrey Neighbouring Faiths Program

Surrey Neighbouring Faiths Program has been taking children aged 4-6 and their families on tours to nine houses of worship in Surrey since the summer of 2007.

At each visit, children participate in age-appropriate activities to learn about the people and practices of each tradition.

There are currently nine faith communities that participate in this program. They are . . .

Surrey Neighbouring Faiths Program

Bahá’í Faith Buddhism Christianity First Nations Spirituality Hinduism Islam Latter-day Saints Sikhism Unitarianism

Faith Communities

To have fun, memorable experiences with people from different faith communities in Surrey

To visit different religious buildings in Surrey

To support children as they prepare to enter the diversity of the local school system

To build connections among families that value diversity

To empower families to raise knowledgeable and caring children in our multicultural and multifaith community

SNFP Goals

Multi-Faith Story Time Kits Project

This program is made possible through funding from the Government of Canada and Province of British Columbia

In 2009, through the Inter-Faith Bridging Projects grant, we developed 4 Multi-Faith and 11 Specific Faith Story Time Kits in partnership with the Surrey Public Library

A Story Time Kit contains age appropriate resources for story or circle times with preschool age children. E.g. books, CDs, puppets, felt stories

The Multi-Faith and Specific Faith Kits developed through our project also included religious artifacts, such as prayer beads, prayer mats, and statues

Multi-Faith Story Time Kits

Available through the Surrey Public Library and the Surrey Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR) office at OPTIONS Community Services Society, the Kits are intended for used by:

preschool teachers Librarians faith communities inter-faith initiatives community organizations Early Childhood Education training workshops

Multi-Faith Story Time Kits

SNFP - to link the partners and to coordinate the activities of the project

Surrey Public Library - key in enhancing the credibility of the kits and in enhancing the early literacy component

Faith communities – to provide Library staff with community input on the development of their specific faith kit.

Faith community representatives - to engage others from their faith communities to encourage dialogue amongst individuals within each community.

DIVERSEcity - to support innovative community capacity building and to enhance newcomer integration

Multi-Faith Story Time Kits

Honouring Diverse Beliefs in Our Communities Project

This program is made possible through funding from the Government of Canada and Province of British Columbia

The project is producing a Resource Toolkit called “Honouring Diverse Beliefs in Our Communities: A Conversational Toolkit”

This Toolkit is a resource for individuals, organizations and institutions to begin exploring the role of diverse beliefs in fostering welcoming and inclusive communities.

Honouring Diverse Beliefs in Our Communities Project

The Toolkit is comprised of:

A 20-25 minute video documentary that includes highlights of participants in the Surrey Neighbouring Faiths Program, as well as interviews with leaders from a range of community sectors

Suggested questions and notes for facilitated discussion before and after viewing of the video

Additional resources available on inter-faith bridging

Honouring Diverse Beliefs in Our Communities Project

Intended uses of the Toolkit include:

Staff in-services for community service agencies

Community workshops

Training programs at post-secondary institutions

Community dialogue initiatives and programs

Faith communities

Inter-Faith groups and networks

Honouring Diverse Beliefs in Our Communities Project

The goal is the dialogue.

Diverse faith beliefs are part of the dialogues on welcoming and inclusive communities.

Projects and resources produced build upon one another.

Inter-Faith dialogues can be sparked through bringing people together around a tangible project (methodology).

Learnings

There is a need for resources to support individuals working in the field to address challenges.

There is a willingness to use resources produced and to engage in these dialogues.

The wider we cast the net of inclusion, the more people will respond or feel included.

Inter-Faith dialogues can build trusting relationships – the foundation for successful integration and inclusive communities.

Learnings - continued

A great big THANK YOU to . . .

All of you for listening so patiently

The funders of these projects

To our project partners and community supporters

Metropolis and those who made this day possible

My esteemed panelists

In closing . . .

Tahzeem KassamDirector of Community

Development

tkassam@dcrs.caTel: 604.597.0205, local 1274