Common Statement

Since August 21st, 1989, Faith Leaders of the Interfaith Network of the City of Greater Dandenong have pledged their commitment and have signed the Common Statement.

The annual signing of the Common Statement reaffirms the commitment to the City of Greater Dandenong to work together for peace, harmony and understanding in the community.

Following the signing, the Common Statement is then formally presented by the Interfaith Network to the Mayor and the City of Greater Dandenong community.

Given the symbolic significance and expressed commitment of the Common Statement, the signed Common Statement is also presented by the Faith Leaders of the Interfaith Network to the Mayor at the annual Mayor election.

Presented with the Common Statement, Mayor Lana Formoso with IFN Executive Committee and Staffing Team

COMMON STATEMENT

INTERFAITH NETWORK CITY OF GREATER DANDENONG

The first Annual Gathering occurred on August 21st, 1989, at the Supper Room, Springvale.  There was a large number of people in attendance from the various communities, and from that the Faith Leaders, Representatives took the signed ‘Common Statement’ to the Council meeting and presented it to the then Mayor, Cr Noelle Trembath.

Since 1989, the ‘Common Statement’ is presented and shared with Council by the Faith Leaders, Representatives.

‘Common Statement’

‘We bring greetings from the faith communities to the Mayor, Councillors, and people of Greater Dandenong.

We offer to the City of Greater Dandenong our common commitment to seek to live together in peace and goodwill.

We affirm our desire to promote respect and tolerance for the integrity of each other’s beliefs, cultures, and traditions.

This desire arises not only from our common humanity but also from our being people of faith and people of prayer.

We recognise that as neighbours, we have responsibilities to the community, the world and ourselves.

We therefore urge all citizens, both religious and non-religious, to put aside intolerance, prejudice, and divisiveness, to attain peaceful and fruitful co-existence in our City’.