Inter-Faith Bridging Initiatives
A presentation for “Religion and Society” Symposium – February 2, 2011
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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
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Client-centred & Holistic services
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Service Quality
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Accountability
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Transparency
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Innovation and Responsiveness
Capacity Building – clients and community
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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)
The goals of the forum were:
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To promote harmony between Muslims and nonMuslims 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.
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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 . . .
Mission Statement:
The Surrey Neighbouring Faiths Program
builds community capacity for multi-faith
learning and dialogue with a focus on
children and families.
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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 ageappropriate activities to learn about the people
and practices of each tradition.
There are currently nine faith communities that
participate in this program. They are . . .
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Bahá’í Faith
Buddhism
Christianity
First Nations Spirituality
Hinduism
Islam
Latter-day Saints
Sikhism
Unitarianism
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To have fun, memorable experiences with people from
different faith communities in Surrey
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To visit different religious buildings in Surrey
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To support children as they prepare to enter the
diversity of the local school system
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To build connections among families that value
diversity
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To empower families to raise knowledgeable and
caring children in our multicultural and multifaith
community
This program is made possible through funding from the Government
of Canada and Province of British Columbia
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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
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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
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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
This program is made possible through funding from the Government
of Canada and Province of British Columbia
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The project is producing a Resource Toolkit
called “Honouring Diverse Beliefs in Our
Communities: A Conversational Toolkit”
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This Toolkit is a resource for individuals,
organizations and institutions to begin
exploring the role of diverse beliefs in fostering
welcoming and inclusive communities.
The Toolkit is comprised of:
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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
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Suggested questions and notes for facilitated
discussion before and after viewing of the video
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Additional resources available on inter-faith
bridging
Intended uses of the Toolkit include:
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Staff in-services for community service agencies
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Community workshops
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Training programs at post-secondary institutions
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Community dialogue initiatives and programs
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Faith communities
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Inter-Faith groups and networks
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The goal is the dialogue.
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Diverse faith beliefs are part of the dialogues
on welcoming and inclusive communities.
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Projects and resources produced build upon
one another.
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Inter-Faith dialogues can be sparked through
bringing people together around a tangible
project (methodology).
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There is a need for resources to support
individuals working in the field to address
challenges.
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There is a willingness to use resources produced
and to engage in these dialogues.
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The wider we cast the net of inclusion, the more
people will respond or feel included.
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Inter-Faith dialogues can build trusting
relationships – the foundation for successful
integration and inclusive communities.
A great big THANK YOU to . . .
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All of you for listening so patiently
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The funders of these projects
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To our project partners and community
supporters
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Metropolis and those who made this day possible
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My esteemed panelists
Tahzeem Kassam
Director of Community Development
[email protected]
Tel: 604.597.0205, local 1274