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"Religions
Working Together" was
formed to forward the original goals of the
"Filling the Moral Vacuum Alliance" -
see below.
The "Filling
the Moral Vacuum Alliance" was
formed at the end of the "Filling the Moral Vacuum Conference"
in May 2002 (click here
to go to the Conference website). The subject for this
conference was surveyed among many different religious
groups to ascertain what topic the groups thought should
be addressed. The conference launched a dialogue to
address central social problems in society and their
underlying causes. Drugs, criminality and other social
problems often have a common denominator - a lack or
loss of moral understanding by those involved. Several
conclusions came out of the conference, as agreed upon
by many of the participants:
1. The momentum generated by the conference should be
the start of a bigger movement to improve social conditions,
with groups and individuals working together using whatever
solutions and means were shown to be workable.
2. That moral and spiritual values, in whatever way
these are expressed, are an important foundation for
any society and these should be respected, upheld and
used.
3. We should develop ways to foster positive religious
and/or moral values at all levels of society. Co-operating
together in different projects designed to deal with
social problems was emphasised.
4. To this end, it was agreed that an executive committee
should be created to start working out a series of different
projects that would enable different groups to work
together.
5. It is important to create an atmosphere of understanding,
tolerance and respect for other people's cultures. When
presenting our own system of values to others, we should
be aware of the similarities and difference that lie
between them.
6. We should organise various cultural and social events
where communities can get together and get to know each
other.
7. Moral values must be practised and not just discussed
theoretically. Leaders must set a good example.
8. The needs of the minority communities must be kept
in mind in all policy making, but minority communities
should also organise themselves and take the initiative
for this to happen.
9. The family is a vital building block of society and
ways in which to communicate values at the level that
children and youth can understand and appreciate need
to be developed.
10. A number of community events and projects were suggested
to facilitate different communities participating in
other communities' activities.
11. A statement, "A call to reverse a dangerous trend"
was drafted during the conference and many participants
signed this, pledging their commitment to making a difference
and calling upon others to do likewise.
From these points it was decided to establish the Religions
Working Together Alliance to continue the conference
momentum on the above points.
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