University of Surrey, Wednesday 26^th November 
  

This conference will also up-date colleagues on developments since the 7^th April ‘Faiths Together’ conference, and set out proposals for the on-going governance of SEEFF. [details]

 

The launch of the Government’s Inter-faith Strategy at Methodist Central Hall Westminster between 12-2pm by Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. SEEFF was represented by some of its members and gave a flavour of the South East Region.  

  

To view the Governments Presentation - Click here
 

 

Where would a good recipe be without different flavours and ingredients or a beautiful garden without an abundance of plants varying in colour and species or language without descriptive words, emotion and meaning?

 

If the visible signs of variety are creativity, learning, community, inspiration and enthusiasm then these essentials were clearly on show during the excellent St Georges Day parade and celebration held in Gravesend on April 23^rd 2008.

 

600 children from 14 local schools joined together with teachers, friends and colleagues from local business, politics and the wider local community to first parade through the streets displaying all the wonderful floats with dragons and knights in armour to finish in performance and celebration within the Gravesend Civic Centre.

 

Congratulations and thanks must go to the North West Kent Council for Racial Equality and their partners which included the Borough Council for brilliantly organising this event and sticking to their belief that it is possible to reflect and demonstrate safely and respectfully what it means to be British and to live in Britain today.

 

In the Civic Centre we were treated to shortened performances of a ‘Midsummer’s Night Dream’ and a ‘street credible’ version of ‘Much a do about Nothing’ by local schools as this was also the birthday of William Shakespeare. Dance and music was also on the menu supported by the Cultural Beats programme who are promoting community cohesion in local schools and colleges through the use of music, dance and sport.

 

We heard a ‘truth is stranger than fiction’ account of the real St George who in reality was actually a Roman born in what we now know as Turkey who came to Britain to fight for the right of Christians being persecuted to worship freely, something that is still on the agenda today for people of all faiths and cultural backgrounds.

 

However I imagine that it will be a while yet before the traditional legend of St George will diminish if the amount of dragons, knights and assorted monsters on the parade were anything to go by.

 

Despite the rain it was very heartening to view as I walked along with the parade the amount of good natured interaction and ‘banter’ going on between everyone involved and those watching from the street and overlooking buildings and offices.

 

The leader of the Council passionately promised an even bigger and better event next year so thank you to everyone involved for this initiative and may it become a positive example and inspiration to the rest of the country.

 

I would like to finish by quoting Dev Sharma the director of the North West Kent Council for Racial Equality when he said to us “It is so good to see all these English children in all their diversity celebrating St Georges Day together, our national day”

 

I choose variety over uniformity every time.

 

John Cunningham

Partnership Development Adviser

Church in Society

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28^th April 2008