Southampton Southampton Council of FaithsCouncil of Faiths

David Vane andDavid Vane and

Southampton…Southampton…

220,000 citizens220,000 citizens 47 languages47 languages 7 main faiths (Interfaith Network 7 main faiths (Interfaith Network

definition)definition) Resident communities – Pakistan, Resident communities – Pakistan,

Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, New communities – Somalia, Polish, New communities – Somalia, Polish,

….….

History interfaithHistory interfaith

- Before 1995 – informal relationshipsBefore 1995 – informal relationships- 1995 the formal Inter Faith Link and 1995 the formal Inter Faith Link and

coordinating groupcoordinating group- Three events a year two discussions Three events a year two discussions

and the Peace Walkand the Peace Walk

““speak with pride - - listen with respect”speak with pride - - listen with respect”

2000 Formation of SCOF2000 Formation of SCOF

Formally inaugurated May 2001Formally inaugurated May 2001 ConstitutionConstitution Make up –Make up –

Five reps from each of the Five reps from each of the seven major faithsseven major faiths

Meeting every monthMeeting every month

Aim: To be the ’official’ voice of the faith community in the city

AchievementsAchievements Empowered ‘people of faith' to speak outEmpowered ‘people of faith' to speak out Given the authorities a faith contact Given the authorities a faith contact

pointpoint Place on decision making bodies in the Place on decision making bodies in the

citycity Faith Advisors to the Mayor of Faith Advisors to the Mayor of

SouthamptonSouthampton Built a relationship with the mediaBuilt a relationship with the media Speakers in schoolsSpeakers in schools Speakers across faith communitiesSpeakers across faith communities

Exhibitions Exhibitions Painting a world of Friendship

Fragments of another life

Tsunami AppealTsunami Appeal

£40,000 raised£40,000 raised First to action in the SouthFirst to action in the South Provided the focus for the city’s Provided the focus for the city’s

responseresponse Delivered –Delivered –

BoatsBoats Schools supportSchools support Housing support in Sri LankaHousing support in Sri Lanka

Meridian TV – “Faith in Meridian TV – “Faith in the City” the City”

Faith in the CityFaith in the City

Faith in Your City was a series of six half hour programs produced by Kate Beal and Meridian TV in 2005 which showed how members of different faith communities in Southampton went about their daily lives - Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs - http://www.southampton-faiths.org http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_28mch1aik8 Hindu http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq8Txd3JkjI Muslim http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy1hVFSY2ec Jewish http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g7TeLTDVfk Buddhist http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8-7LJubZuw christian http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYN5WKuDnDY Sikh

Media PacksMedia Packs

Face to Face and Side by Face to Face and Side by SideSide

SCOF restructure 2007SCOF restructure 2007

+ Partners?

SCOF Conference 2008SCOF Conference 2008

Youth Peace Walk 2009Youth Peace Walk 2009

1313thth Annual Peace Walk Annual Peace Walk 20092009

Jerusalem Peace Makers Jerusalem Peace Makers 20092009

SCOF Conference 2009SCOF Conference 2009

Rt Hon John Denham MP - Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

Alex Marshall - Chief Constable of Hampshire

Cllr Parvin Damani - NHS (community development and race equality; Chair - Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education ( SACRE)

Graffiti WorkshopGraffiti Workshop

Interfaith week 2009Interfaith week 2009

• Joint service – prayers and inspiration• Conference• Graffiti workshop

One world event 2009One world event 2009

Meeting socially…Meeting socially…

……and to promote and to promote InterfaithInterfaith

Interfaith Week 2013Interfaith Week 2013

Weds 20Weds 20thth Nov – Space for Peace – Nov – Space for Peace – Vedic Temple – Radcliffe Rd 7 -9pm Vedic Temple – Radcliffe Rd 7 -9pm Musical Vigil and 9-10pm Silent Musical Vigil and 9-10pm Silent MeditationMeditation

Thursday 21Thursday 21stst Nov – End of Life care Nov – End of Life care conference for different faiths – conference for different faiths – Sot’on General Hospital Chaplaincy Sot’on General Hospital Chaplaincy 2 – 4 pm 2 – 4 pm

… … form partnershipsform partnerships

Youth interfaith Youth interfaith coordinatorcoordinator

Thank youThank you

David Vane

www.southampton-faiths.org