Religious diversity in Australia

Interfaith

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Leaders: Gerry Smith (University of Tasmania PhD Candidate), Douglas Ezzy (University of Tasmania) and Anna Halafoff (Deakin University)

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We will map the growing interfaith movement in Australia by examining interfaith organisations in Hobart, Sydney, and Melbourne. Building upon CI Halafoff’s (2013) previous research in this field, this study focuses on role of interfaith organisations including the governance of religious diversity, the facilitation of relationships between religious communities, and their participation in social justice and activism. We will conduct interviews with 30 leaders and activists in the Australian interfaith movement about the benefits of and challenges faced in their activities and perform fieldwork at interfaith events to examine how interfaith workers foster cohesion through social events.