National interfaith group discusses challenges facing indigenous Australians
The challenges facing indigenous Australians and the merits of proposed remedies took centre stage in the recent National Dialogue between the Uniting Church in Australia and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
The meeting, which took place online, received a briefing by, followed by a long conversation with Dr Tom Calma, Chancellor of the University of Canberra and 2023 Senior Australian of the Year.
The participants engaged in a frank and complex discussion of the lives of indigenous Australians, including consideration of the proposed constitutional changes to recognise First Australians and to create a Voice to government.
The second part of the Dialogue involved a session of mutual learning, with the Jewish community presenting on the period from Pesach to Shavuot and the Uniting Church talking about the overlapping Pentecost period.
Jeremy Jones said “The Dialogue has now met 55 times since its establishment over 30 years ago. There has been no lessening of the enthusiasm and commitment the participants bring to the project of building a better informed and more compassionate Australia”.
“At the meetings, we have genuine opportunities for frank and open discussions, in the process of learning more about not just the other but about ourselves” he concluded.
