On the morning of 19 October, the Office of Ethnic Communities (OEC) hosted an Ethnic Leaders Forum at the Russley Golf Club with over 40 ethnic leaders from the Maori, Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Chinese, Indian, Malaysia and leaders such as Councillor, Jimmy Chen and Senior Advisor for Department of Internal Affairs, Deborah Lam joined. The forum was also attended by Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island Deputy President, Ding Lihson.
The forum aims to re-engage with communities who were not immediately affected but impacted in a different way by the 15th of March attacks. The objectives of the meeting also include:
- To introduce the OEC Community Engagement Southern team. (Since 15 March, the OEC’s Christchurch office has grown its capacity from two to nine people in a newly established regional team).
- To update the OEC’s work programme and priorities post 15 March and beyond.
- To provide selected ethnic leaders an opportunity to update current initiatives.
- To provide an opportunity to discuss issues and priorities with each other.
- To build understanding on Islam via a short presentation and Q&A as several leaders asked to create opportunities in learning more about Islam following 15 of March.
The forum started with a Maori welcome and Karakia by Maori Elder Sally Pitama and Chair of the Te Ngai Tuahuriri Runanga, Arapata Reuben. It followed by the introduction of the new OEC member and the effort that the OEC has made which now expands to the whole South Island instead of just the Canterbury region. The OEC team are now working on ways to get all ethnics in South Island to share upcoming activities and update current activities through digital media.
As it was time for all ethnic to share upcoming activities in the forum, Deputy President Ding shared and invited everyone to the Embracing Love and Peace that will be happening on 2nd November at the Aurora Centre. Adding on to that, Ding also shared the Vegefest that will be happening on 24th November at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Christchurch. Dr Surinder Tandon who is the President of the Christchurch Multi Ethnic Council updated that they are working on bringing peace to Christchurch by helping out at the city; Dr Hafsa Ahmed who is the founder and trustee of Lady Khatija Trust updated how her trust helped the Blind Foundation and the homeless; and lastly, Tony Ng and Melissa Wong represented a Chinese Youth Group that has been in Christchurch for over 10 years updated how their team worked on activities to cycle social networking, professional development and personal development.
In the end, Jumayah Jones from the Deans Avenue mosque which was heavily involved in the March 15 incident presented a short talk about the basics of Islam. The forum ended with everyone continue to embrace love and peace that suits the event hosted Fo Guang Shan NZ to give a Blessing to Christchurch, making the world a better place.
