Faith Exchange Meetings

Next Faith Exchange Meeting

The next Faith Exchange meeting will take place on Wednesday 28th March from 5.30pm to 8pm at the National Baha'i Centre, 27 Rutland Gate, London, SW7 1PD.  The event will bring together members of Westminster's faith groups to meet Councillor Philippa Roe, Leader of Westminster City Council and to discuss the role of faith organisations in the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

Past Faith Exchange Events in 2011

Faith Exchange Event at the Westminster City Council, Council House (December 2011).  This event focused on the proposed parking policy changes and included a question and answer session with Councillor Heather Acton, Deputy Cabinet Member for Parking and Transportation.  There was also a prize-giving ceremony for the winners of the 2011 Children and Young People's Art Competition, the theme of which was ‘What my faith means to me’.

Faith Exchange Event at the West London Synagogue (September 2011) This event was entitled '10 Years Since 9/11 and the Founding of the Faith Exchange - an Interfaith Remembrance'. Members of Westminster's faith communites came together to remember those who lost their lives on September 11th 2011, and also to mark the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Faith Exchange forum. The remembrance was led by Baroness Rabbi Julia Neuberger.

Faith Exchange Event at the University of Westminster (June 2011) The theme of this event was 'Religious Freedom of Speech: Rights vs Responsibilities'. A number of questions were explored during the evening including 'how do we deal with religious extremism?', and 'how do we respond to those who insist theirs is the ‘true’ faith?'. There were presentations from the University's interfaith advisor and chaplains.

Faith Exchange Event at the Houses of Parliament (March 2011) This event was held, by kind permission of the Speaker, the Rt. Hon. John Bercow MP, in the Speaker's State Rooms. The theme was 'Bringing a Faith Perspective to politics', and the discussion was led by the Speaker's Chaplain, the Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin - the first black woman to hold this prestigious post. There was also a presentation about the importance of the 2011 Census.

Past Faith Exchange Events in 2010

Faith Exchange Event at the London Central Mosque (December 2010) The theme of this event was 'Faith and Helping Others'. During this event we looked at how we can help others in society through volunteering, and how faith can be an aid and motivator to do so. There was also a prize-giving ceremony for the winners of the 2010 Children and Young People's Art Competition, the theme of which was also 'Faith and Helping Others'.

Faith Exchange Event at the New London Synagogue (October 2010) The theme of this event was 'The Olympics and You'. This event looked at how faith communities will be affected by the 2012 Olympic Games, and how they can get involved. There was also a presentation about the Voluntary Sector Funding Review consultation being carried out by the Council and NHS Westminster.

Faith Exchange Event at London Fo Guang Buddhist Temple (June 2010) The topic of this event was 'Housing in Westminster - a Faith Perspective'. During the evening we dispelled some of the common myths surrounding housing in Westminster, as well as discussing homelessness and fuel poverty. There was also a free giveaway of tickets to take part in a guided bus tour of the Olympic Park in Stratford.

Faith Exchange Event at Council House (April 2010) The topic of this event was 'Rediscover the Spirit of the Faith Exchange'. During this event we reviewed the way the Faith Exchange is run, and gave members a chance to suggest topics for discussion at future events. There was a discussion about the results of the Faith Exchange Members' Questionnaire, and a presentation about Safeguarding Adults in Westminster.