G20 Interfaith Forum

Rev. Dr Ji Zhang was among other faith representatives, Senators and MPs to attend  a panel on the role of religion at the G20 Summit in Canberra.

Labor MP Dr Anne Aly who was the first Muslim woman elected to the federal parliament, joined Pat Dodson, Australia’s first indigenous Catholic priest, and Liberal MP Julian Leeser who is prominent in Australia’s Jewish community on the panel.

They were brought together by Griffith University, which is organising this year's G20 Interfaith Forum 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The G20 Interfaith Forum 2018 is now an annual event, organised by Griffith University and various global academic institutions. It takes place prior to every G20 and aims to make recommendations to G20 Leaders, involving religion in problem solving and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. You can follow updates on the Forum on Twitter @InterFaithG20.

Listen to the Q&A  aired on ABC's Religion and Ethics Report which followed the panel discussion. Rev. Dr Ji Zhang asks a question (at around 24mins):

"The Uniting Church in Australia is actively involved in interfaith dialogue.

Interfaith dialogue, intercultural ministry, and ecumenical relationship are some ways for us to Seek Common Ground for humanity.

How would this G20 encourage intercultural and interfaith dialogue in Australia as a means of public diplomacy to build trusting relationships, and people-to-people connections, and then this inner capacity could go outwardly to build peace in the world?"