Previous Events
BBC Radio Podcast: 23rd November 2011
On Wednesday 23rd November, 6
young people met at the BBC to take part in the making of a Podcast about
inter-faith. When we got to the BBC L.A.B studio, we
were introduced to each other, and what our faith
was: one Buddhist, one Muslim, two Sikhs, one Christian and one Atheist.
We were split into two teams, one writing a
list of questions on our own faith, and how we became of that faith, and why.
These would then be asked to each of us individually, and recorded. The other
group decided and wrote down three different starter
questions on faith related issues that we would discuss as a whole group,
sharing our different viewpoints on these issues.
It was overall, a very interesting day. We
got to hear all about different faiths and it provoked me to think a
lot more about my own faith and why I believe the way I do. It certainly
brought about inter faith dialogue! Grace Balfour-Harle
Youth Away Day: 14 August 2011
Our
annual Youth Away Day took place on Sunday 14th August at Samye Ling
Tibetan Buddhist Centre in Dumfriesshire, where we joined the
celebrations at their Annual Tea Party and Open Day. We enjoyed 'all seasons in one day' when exploring the grounds, including a short burst of hailstones! Happily, the sun burst through the clouds so that all were able to enjoy a fascinating display of Lion dancing and martial arts outside the Stupa.
Youth Inter Faith Conference : 21st June 2011
Central
Scotland Police teamed up with a variety of organisations including the
Scottish Inter Faith Council to run a one-day youth inter faith
conference for young people aged 16 - 26 on 21st June 2011 at
Strathclyde Police Training Centre, Jackton, East Kilbride.
The
event was a great success and the young people greatly enjoyed the
workshops on a variety of themes. A list of workshops is available here.
Annual Summer Away : August 2010
The summer away day took place on 7 August. Ten young adults from the Baha’i, Christian, Hindu and Jewish faiths enjoyed a trip to Holy Isle off the island of Arran. Holy Isle is known for its Centre for World Peace and Health, established by Lama Yeshe, abbot of Samye Ling Tibetan Buddhist centre in Dumfriesshire.
The young people were welcomed to the island by residents at the Centre who shared with them about the history of the island and gave them a guided meditation in the Peace Hall. Afterwards, all enjoyed a picnic lunch and a walk to view holy sites on the island including St Molaise's Cave, a holy spring and rock paintings of Tibetan Buddhist deities.
Mearns Castle High School Youth Conference : February 2010
Members of the youth steering committee assisited pupils from Mearns Castle High School to run an inter faith youth conference at their school on the theme of "Faith and Social Justice". Charandeep spoke about his identity as a young Sikh in Scotland and Niaz shared about the Baha'i stance on peace in the world.
Oban High School : December 2009 and February 2011
Frances Hume brought four members of the youth steering committee to Oban to assist in leading a youth conference for 6th Year pupils from Oban High School. The young people delivered inspiring workshops outlining their beliefs and describing their own personal faith journeys.
Visit to Shetland : November 2009
Frances Hume brought two members of the youth steering committee to Shetland as guests of the local Shetland Inter Faith Group. They gave classes at Skeld Primary School and helped to lead a youth conference for pupils from four secondary schools. You can read more about this trip on the Shetland page of our website.
Visit to Places of Worship : August and November 2009
Members of the youth committee were keen to take a pilgrimage to sacred sites in Scotland for their annual retreat. SIFC teamed up with the West of Scotland Regional Equality Council and the Anne Frank Trust to organise visits to places of worship in Glasgow. On 12th August a group of 18 young people and members of Glasgow Sharing of Faiths attended a visit to places of worship in Glasgow’s West End - Garnethill Synagogue, Al Furqhan Mosque, Berkeley Street Gurdwara, Wellington Parish Church and the Hindu Mandir at La Belle Place.
The event was so successful that it was repeated in November 2009 as the youth steering committee's contribution to Scottish Inter Faith Week. This second visit included two additional places of worship : The Tibetan Buddhist Centre and St Aloysius Roman Catholic Church. Pupils from Smithycroft and Hillhead High Schools were also present.
Hillwalk and Picnic : August 2009
On 15th August 2009 a small group of adventurous young people attended a hill walk and pinic at Campsie Glen followed by a visit to the Schoenstat Catholic Shrine.
Beyond Tolerance Launch : June 2009
Dr Maureen Sier and her daughter Sonya Sier launched the DVD and education pack, Beyond Tolerance, an inter faith resource for young people and adults. Haroon Ahmed, Magdalen Lambkin and Frances Hume were interviewed in the film and spoke at the launch about the ways in which inter faith engagement had made a positive impact on their lives. A copy of the DVD can be obtained at the website www.freshlightfilms.com.
Schools Inter Faith Day : June 2009
Strathclyde Police brought together a group of organisations to create an inter faith youth event for young people in secondary schools across Glasgow on 18 th June. Members of the youth steering committee assisted in leading workshops with the young people on the impact of faith for young people in Scotland.
Inter Faith Youth Conference - Sunday 15th March 2009
The Scottish Inter Faith Council and the Edinburgh Inter Faith Association teamed up to host an Inter Faith Youth Conference at St John's Church Hall in Edinburgh entitled "From Conflict to Co-operation" with speakers from as far afield as Philadelphia, USA, Northern Ireland and Samye Ling Tibetan Buddhist Centre in Scotland.
The event was hosted by members of SIFC's youth committee. Speakers included Professor Len Swidler and Racelle Weiman from the Temple Institute in Philadelphia USA, Kate Turner from 'Healing through Remembering', an organisation in Northern Ireland that promotes dialogue between different groups and Dr Maureen Sier who showed extracts from a new inter faith DVD aimed at young people in secondary schools.