Launching of the UNESCO Chair on Inter-religious Understanding and Relations in New Zealand and the Pacific

The launch of the UNESCO Chair of Interreligious Understanding and Relations was held at the Opening Ceremony of the National Interfaith Dialogue on 26 February 2010.

This provided an ideal opportunity to highlight the issues of interreligious dialogue among representatives of all faiths within New Zealand. It also represents the intersection of academic, civil society and government agencies in the area of interfaith activities and intercultural dialogue.

The position of UNESCO Chair is being held by Professor Paul Morris, Professor of Religious Studies at Victoria University of Wellington. Professor Morris was one of the key architects of the New Zealand Statement of Religious Diversity. He has contributed to the Diversity Action Programme run by the Human Rights Commission for the past five years, and is involved with issues of interreligious diversity in the Pacific region.

• Source:UNESCO Apia
• 09-03-2010