Humanity Prevails

The purpose of the events is to highlight – no matter what our spiritual beliefs are, humanity prevails.

Together in Humanity

The Outcome

Now in it's third year, the Together in Humanity series of events has showcased a combination of keynote speeches, panel discussions, exhibitions, and an opportunity for roundtable discussions on the specific issues identified.

The 2019 event was the inugral gathering of minds who each discussed numerous topics from various religious backgrounds.

2019 Pannelists:

  1. Hajj Hassanain Rajabali (Muslim)
  2. Jared Ormsby (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Siants)
  3. Very Rev. Lawrence Kimberley (Anglican Church)
  4. Venerable Jambugahapitiye Dhammaloka Thero (Buddhist)
  5. Kuvalesaya Zakheim (Vaishnva Hindu)
  6. Imam Ibrahim Abdelhalim (Muslim)

The 2020 event theme was “Building Peace Together”. Members from the community who belonged to various faiths and secular background attended the event. We had scheduled seven panellists who represented diverse faith communities in Christchurch.

The event was also aimed to also emphasise peace by having Lisa Tui, a renowned singer, perform a “peace song” for our attendees. We also had Nicholas Latty from the Office of Ethnic Communities, Christchurch branch talk to our audience about the “Racism is No Joke campaign”.

2020 Panellists:

  1. Matthew Gardner (Chair of Canterbury Interfaith Society)
  2. Lawrence Kimberley (Dean of the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch)
  3. Reverend Philomeno (Kinera from the Methodist Church)
  4. Robert Hunt(Chair of the New Zealand Buddhist Council)
  5. Sister Noeline Odgers (Director of Communications from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints)
  6. John Sellwood (Representeing the Charter for Compassion)
  7. Imam Ibrahim Abdelhalim (Representing the Muslim community)

The 2022 event was a full-day conference that attracted 70 attendees which included various ethnicities – Asian, Middle-Eastern, African, and South American. The event was held at Aldersgate Centre for full day and attendees included adults, youth and kids. Our theme was “Stronger Together” with a special focus on homelessness and food security. Members from the community who belonged to various faiths, secular backgrounds, local government and community organisations attended the event.

2022 Panellists:

  1. Raziuddin Syed (Chair of Canterbury Interfaith Society)
  2. Jono Kitt (Housing First)
  3. Verity Verster (Kai for the community)
  4. Imam Dr Sayyed Ali Abbas Razawi (Director General and Chief Imam Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society)
  5. Dr Christopher Longhurst (Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College, Fellow KAICIID)
  6. Rev. Philomeno Kinera (Minister Durham Street Methodist Church)
  7. Rev. Glenn Livingstone (Presbyterian Minister and former long-standing Christchurch City Councillor)
  8. Sister Noeline Odgers (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
  9. John Sellwood (The Charter for Compassion)
  10. Paul Hunt (Human Rights Commissioner)
  11. Video Messages from The Ministry for Ethnic Communities
  12. Simurgh Music School
Visit the 2020 Website
Watch the 2022 Videos