High-Level Dialogue on Inter-religious and Inter-cultural Understanding and Cooperation for Peace
4 October 2007
Statement by Senator the Hon. Rod Kemp, Parliamentary Advisor to Australian delegation to the United Nations
(As delivered)
Mr President
The right to freedom of religion or belief is a basic right, and an essential element of any harmonious society. It is embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that ‘everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion’.
Unfortunately, in many areas of the world, many people still don’t enjoy these freedoms; they cannot worship freely and they suffer from discrimination. Religious intolerance and extremism continue to threaten global security, peace and stability. The importance of defending religious freedom cannot therefore be overstated.
To build and maintain free societies, we have to recognise that different ideas and beliefs can and should be allowed to coexist and flourish, because tolerance and respect for pluralism are essential values for open societies.
Australian domestic initiatives
Australia is a culturally and linguistically diverse society, with about 300 languages spoken and a wide variety of religions practised. The Australian Government promotes acceptance and respect among Australians of all cultural and religious backgrounds.
In this context, Australia has implemented the Living in Harmony program for several years, bringing Australians from different backgrounds together to forge a sense of belonging, mutual respect and understanding. More than 50 projects to promote interfaith dialogue have been funded under this program.
In 2006, Australia embarked on a National Action Plan to Build on Social Cohesion, Harmony and Security, to which the Government has committed A$35 million over four years. Measures under the Plan include the creation of a centre of research in Islamic studies, promotion of interfaith understanding through interschool cooperation, employment and inter-community engagement projects, crisis management training and specialist education materials.
Regional initiatives
Australia strongly supports freedom of religion and belief and is determined to promote understanding and foster harmony between faith communities across our region. Our regional efforts aim to bridge cultural and religious differences and counter the spread of extremism.
Australia has fostered interfaith cooperation through our involvement in the Regional Interfaith Dialogue – a process which we co-sponsor with Indonesia, New Zealand and the Philippines. The inaugural Regional Interfaith Dialogue took place in Yogyakarta in 2004 and was co-chaired by Indonesia and Australia. New Zealand hosted the third Regional Interfaith Dialogue in Waitangi in May 2007. Participants in these dialogues are drawn from the major faith groups of the region, the ten ASEAN nations, East Timor, Fiji, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. The 2007 Dialogue resulted in agreement on the Waitangi Declaration and Plan of Action. The Plan of Action outlined recommendations by delegates for future regional engagement on interfaith issues, particularly in the areas of partnership-building, education and media.
Interfaith Dialogues are an important forum within which to promote peace, tolerance and understanding through working with faith and civil society groups in our region and beyond. Although governments can play an important role in facilitating dialogue, the responsibility for promoting tolerance and understanding between, and within communities must rest with the communities themselves, and particularly their leaders. Faith and community leaders have a critical role to play in denying extremists any religious or moral legitimacy and in building trust between communities.
Multilateral Efforts
Separately, Australia and the European Union will co-host a Youth Interfaith Forum in Australia in December 2007. The event will focus on promoting understanding and encouraging personal links between young leaders of religious communities in South-East Asia, Australia and Europe.
In support of interfaith dialogue processes, Australia is also hosting the Parliament of the World’s Religions in 2009, the world’s largest multi-faith event, which is usually held every five years in different cities around the world.
Australia will continue to engage constructively on this issue with the Human Rights Council, by encouraging the global promotion or religious tolerance in this important forum. The Council needs to play an active role in ensuring the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of religion or belief, including by monitoring international adherence to the provisions of the Declaration on the Elimination of All forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.
Australia welcomes the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations initiative to support projects that promote cross-cultural and religious understanding. Australia believes that its practical initiatives complement the interfaith activities taking place in our region.
We, the international community, should continue to forge interfaith and international partnerships which aim to ensure that the right to freedom of religion is respected in all countries.
Thank you.