|
What we do
Resources
Support IFN's work
| |
|
Shared act of
reflection and commitment by the faith communities of the UK
The Inter Faith Network was invited by
the Government to assist the Department for Culture, Media and
Sport in developing and organising, as part of the official
Millennium celebrations, a Shared Act of Reflection and
Commitment by the faith communities of the UK. This complemented
the Millennium Church Services held in Belfast, Cardiff,
Edinburgh and London.
This unprecedented event was
held in the Royal Gallery in the Houses of Parliament on the
morning of 3 January 2000 as part of the First Weekend Millennium
celebrations. It was hosted on behalf of the Government by the
Department for Culture, Media and Sport, (DCMS) and the opening
welcome was given by its Secretary of State, Rt Hon Chris Smith
MP. It was held in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses the
Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and was attended by the Prime
Minister, the Home Secretary and the Speaker of the House of
Commons together with faith community representatives and other
distinguished guests.
Some 45 speakers and
musicians from all parts of the UK took part in the programme of
the event. Towards the end of it, leading faith community
representatives invited the audience to join them in the Act of
Commitment. The text of this (which has been used subsequently
in a number of other events) is reproduced
below. The event ended with some concluding reflections from the
Prime Minister.
The occasion had major
significance as an expression of commitment to an inclusive
society which recognises the contribution which all the faiths
make to national life.
An
Act of Commitment
Faith community representatives :
In a world scarred by the evils of war, racism, injustice and
poverty,
we offer this joint Act of Commitment as we look to our shared
future.
All:
We commit ourselves,
as people of many faiths,
to work together
for the common good,
uniting to build a better society,
grounded in values and ideals we share:
community,
personal integrity,
a sense of right and wrong,
learning, wisdom and love of truth,
care and compassion,
justice and peace,
respect for one another,
for the earth and its creatures.
We commit ourselves,
in a spirit of friendship and co-operation,
to work together
alongside all who share our values and ideals,
to help bring about a better world
now and for generations to come.
|
|
|
|
