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Intercultural Study Tours

The AIS is organising several projects for 2014 and 2015 which include a ANZAC Spirit Study Tour. For more information on Study Tour registration and itinerary, please contact the AIS. Read more...

Ramadan Iftars

Iftar dinner programs will commence with the beginning of Ramadan. Read more...

Luncheon Forums

Luncheon forums are designed to cultivate friendship, celebrate multiculturalism, promote dialogue, social harmony and social inclusiveness and deepen intercultural awareness among the many diverse cultures of Australia. Read more...
 

Saturday BBQ's

Australian Intercultural Society Saturday BBQ's. As a special guest of a host family, a unique chance to experience a different culture. Apply to attend one now!  Read more...

Whirling Dervishes

SHEB-I ARUS - Whirling Dervishes - Commemoration of RUMI's wedding with eternity. Read more...

Conferences

Australian Intercultural Society organises several intercultural conferences aimed to benefit relationships between different communities. Read more...

Victoria Police
Multicultural Advisory Unit

The Multicultural Advisory Unit (MAU) promotes and facilitates engagement between police and culturally diverse communities. The major role of the MAU is to provide advice on the development and implementation of Victoria Police multicultural policies. Read more...

Women's Events

The Australian Intercultural Society Women's Network's diverse events. Read more...

Newsflash

14 April 2014 Panel Discussion Videos Released

Introduction by Prof. Raelene Frances 

 

 

Speech by Prof. Emeritus Gary Bouma 

 

 

Speech By Prof Ihsan Yilmaz

 

 

 

Speech by Prof. Greg Barton 

 

 

Panel Discussion - Questions and Answers - Prof. Ihsan Yilmaz and Prof. Greg Barton

 

Presentation of Awards - 14.04.2014 

 

April 2014 Newsletter Released


The Australian Intercultural Society (AIS) sends monthly newsletters to those who have passed on their contact information to us or attended our events. To unscubscribe, please scroll down to the end of this email and click on "unsubscribe from this list". To change the preferred email address, please scroll down and click on "update subscription preferences". You can follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
April 2014 Newsletter
Upcoming events: Luncheon on Democracy in Turkey on 14 April, Turkey tours information night on 15 April and an international theological conference on 26-29 May at the Australian Catholic University.

Past events: Photos and videos from the Luncheon on Human Rights in Australia and photos from the Saturday BBQs
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UPCOMING EVENTS
 
Luncheon Series (14 April)

"The flickering beacon: Is Turkish democracy under threat?" 


Panel discussion with Professor Greg Barton (Monash University) and Associate Professor Ihsan Yilmaz (Fatih University, Turkey), editors of The Muslim World and Politics in Transition: Contributions of the Gulen Movement. 

Facilitated by Professor Emeritus Gary Bouma, UNESCO Chair in Interreligious and Interfaith Relations (Asia-Pacific).

RSVP essential: Email Ahmet Polat (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) by 5pm on Friday 11 April. Places are limited.

For more information, visit the event page.
 
"Glimpses of Turkey" Night (15 April)
Would you like to see the sun rise over the fairy chimneys in a hot air balloon?

Do you want to visit the resting places of ANZAC soldiers on the shores of Gallipoli?

Do you wish to break from the tourist route and enjoy a delicious home cooked meal with a local family?

To hear about how you can do these and more on this whirlwind trip, come to the Glimpses of Turkey Night where information will be provided about AIS's study tours to Turkey. 

These tours are great opportunities for cultural exchange as you are provided with chances to meet dignitaries and local families. 

We welcome attendees of upcoming tours and anyone who wishes to find out more about 2014 and 2015 tours.

Attendees of past study tours are invited to share their experiences, providing a glimpse for others of what to expect on AIS tours.

RSVP by 11 April by sending an email to Ahmet Polat (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ).

Dinner will be provided. Please advise us on any special dietary requirements.

For more information, visit the event page.
 
International Theological Conference: Interfaith Dialogue
26-29 May 2014 at Australian Catholic University's Melbourne campus

The Centre for Interreligious Dialogue at Australian Catholic University is hosting an International Theological Conference in collaboration with the Australian Intercultural Society to explore the advances and setbacks in interfaith dialogue in the last five decades and to investigate new paths that can contribute to the well-being of humanity.
 
The Opening Ceremony, which includes an Indigenous Australian Smoking Ceremony, and the first Plenary Session on Muslim-Christian Dialogue are open to the public at no cost.

Keynote speakers are Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald from Jerusalem and Professor Zeki Saritoprak from the U.S.
 
Teachers, community organisers and others wishing to participate for a Professional Development certificate should contact Edmund Chia (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ).
 
For more information, visit the event page.   
 
PAST EVENTS

March Luncheon with President of Human Rights Commission 
The luncheon was timely given the situation at Manus Island detention centre dominating news headlines. Attendees from over 50 different organisations, institutions and businesses came to hear the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) Professor Emeritus Gillian Triggs speak about human rights law in Australia. 

Professor Triggs began her speech by describing the "extraordinary" position of Australia in regards to human rights. Read more or watch her speech online.
 
Questions asked by the audience 
Pamela Curr from the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre asked about High Court rulings on indefinite detainment, touching upon the situation in detention centres.

Dr Berhan Ahmed, Chairperson of the Africa Think Thank, asked about the immense difficulties faced by asylum seekers and the fear within the Muslim community of being targeted.

Associate Professor Paula Gerber from the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law at Monash University asked about using the national curriculum as a way of creating a human rights culture in Australia .

To hear Professor Triggs’ answers to these questions, see the video on the event page.

Gift presentations
On behalf of AIS, Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Jack Blayney presented the gift of thanks to Professor Triggs. CEO of Selimiye Foundation Ali Gungor presented a gift of thanks to Justice Kevin Bell of the Supreme Court of Victoria for serving as a facilitator for the event. Professor Triggs presented certificates of appreciation to the local business owners who sponsored the luncheon.
 
Saturday BBQs
This was the first time the AIS organised "Saturday BBQ" events with interested Muslim families. The barbecues were grassroots level engagement programs that took place at a private residences of eight Muslim families in the northern or southeastern suburbs of Melbourne, as well in Geelong. 
 
It differed greatly from our formal events, offering a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere and a casual and welcoming environment for cultural exchange. With less than 15 people per home, including the children, there was plenty of time and opportunity for guests and hosts to get to know one another.

Guests were from a range of backgrounds: public service, private business, university staff, early education, clergy, homemakers, researchers and more. These events were open to all. 

Families who joined in these occasions as friends of the host family enjoyed the program and asked to be next in line to host a similar event in their homes. This is great feedback for a new project. Although the coming cold weather means these events will have to wait until the return of brighter days, it is wonderful to know that more people would like to be a part of these activities. 

We thank the families who opened their homes and were very generous in their hospitality. 
 
The Australian Intercultural Society respectfully acknowledges the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation as the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we stand. We pay our respects to their Elders both past and present.
Subscribe to AIS newsletters
 
 
Find out more about the Australian Intercultural Society http://www.intercultural.org.au






 

5 March 2014 Luncheon With Prof. Gillian Triggs Videos Released

Introduction by Judge Ian Gray

 

Speech by Justice Kevin Bell

 

Speech by Prof Gillian Triggs

 

Questions to Prof Gillian Triggs and Answers

 

Presentation of Awards to Speakers and Certificates to Sponsors

Upcoming Events

Wed Apr 23, 2014 @ 8:00AM - 12:00AM
ANZAC Spirit Study Tour to Turkey 2014
Wed May 28, 2014 @ 7:00PM - 09:30PM
ACU Interfaith Conference - Luncheon 28 May 2014
Wed Jun 04, 2014 @11:45AM - 01:45PM
AIS Luncheon Series Presented by Jon Faine
Mon Jun 30, 2014 @ 4:30PM -
Victorian State Parliament Iftar Dinner 2014
Thu Jul 10, 2014 @ 4:30AM -
African Communities Iftar Dinner 2014
Tue Jul 15, 2014 @ 4:30PM -
Rotary Club Iftar Dinner 2014
Sat Sep 06, 2014 @ 8:00AM - 12:00AM
Timeless Cities Study Tour to Turkey 2014
Wed Dec 17, 2014 @ 5:00PM - 06:00PM
Whirling Dervishes 17 Dec 2014
View Full Calendar

Past Events Photos and Video

Wed Apr 23, 2014 @ 8:00AM - 12:00AM
ANZAC Spirit Study Tour to Turkey 2014
Tue Apr 15, 2014 @ 7:00PM -
Glimpses of Turkey Night 2014
Mon Apr 14, 2014 @12:30PM - 03:00PM
Panel Discussion with Prof. Ihsan Yilmaz and Prof. Greg Barton - 2014
Sat Mar 22, 2014 @ 3:00PM -
Saturday BBQ 22 March
Sat Mar 15, 2014 @ 3:00PM -
Saturday BBQ 15 March
Wed Mar 05, 2014 @12:00PM - 01:45PM
Luncheon with the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission Prof. Emeritus Gillian Triggs
Sat Feb 22, 2014 @ 3:00PM - 08:00PM
Saturday BBQ 22 Feb
Sat Feb 15, 2014 @ 3:00PM - 08:00PM
Saturday BBQ 15 Feb
Thu Feb 13, 2014 @11:45AM - 01:45PM
Hon Daniel Andrews Luncheon 13 Feb 2014
Thu Oct 10, 2013 @12:00AM
Luncheon Speech for National Manager Counter Terrorism
Wed Oct 02, 2013 @12:00AM
2013 Timeless Cities Study Tour
View Full Calendar
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 Level 1, 436 St Kilda Road,
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