PLANNING TOGETHER

At Beauchamp College, Oadby, this evening for the final panning meeting for the college's "Together" interfaith event on Sunday 20 November.

I'm glad to see that the newly elected of the Council of Faiths, Inderjit Gugnani, is here when I arrive (although he doesn't introduce himself as such when we go round the table at the start of the meeting). Inderjit is Community Development Worker with Leicestershire County Council's Library Service.

Leicester Council of Faiths has participated in this event from its second year onward. This is recognised in the meeting, unexpectedly, when Chris Swann (who has been behind the events) asks if we have any recommendations for improvement. All I can say is that they are cramming an awful lot into an awfully short time: the event last only three hours. Unfortunately, it can't start any earlier or it would eat into times of Sunday morning church services, so the only option is to extend the hours a little later in the afternoon. but not this year.

I grab a few minutes at the end of the meeting to speak about the Council of Faiths' activities and events for Inter Faith Week, distribute flyers to attendees and sign up a few more potential volunteers for the Highcrosss exhibition rota.

FOUNDERS OF CITY TEMPLE ARE PRAISED

From today's Leicester Mercury (though it doesn't appear on its website):

Founders of city temple are praised 

His Excellency the Counsel General of India, Gururaj Rao, was the special guest at the unveiling of a plaque at the Jalaram Temple, in Narborough Road, Leicester last week, writes Raju Vyas. 

The temple is named after Hindu saint Jalaram Bapa and was found by a group of five women in Leicester in 1979. 

They raised £1,001 to open a temple, in Mere Road, and by 1992 the temple had enough money to buy a site in Narborough Road. 

Over the next three years, a £1 million place of worship for Leicester Hindus was built at 80 Narborough Road and the temple relocated there in 1995. 

Pramod Thakkar, chairman of the board of trustees at the temple, said: "The plaque was honouring the elderly ladies and what they did to start the organisation." 

The plaque was dedicated to those who started the temple, its trustees and devotees.

The photo accompanying this article in today's Leicester Mercury shows Chair of Leicester Council of Faiths, Councillor Manjula Sood, at the ceremony.

PROGRESS ON MULTI-FAITH PRAYER ROOM IN HIGHCROSS

A phone call first thing this morning from Phil Barnes of Stapledons, the company responsible for building maintenance at Highcross. He asks if we can provide an electronic copy of the Council of Faiths logo that they can use in the proposed multi-faith room there. They're starting work on this room today.

I tell him that we can certainly do this and I ask when the facility is likely to be finished. Friday, he tells me - just three days away. Blimey!

This means, of course, that the multi-faith prayer room will be open in time for our exhibition there during Inter Faith Week.

DEVOTEES CELEBRATE TEMPLE OPENING

From today's Leicester Mercury:

Devotees celebrate temple opening

Worshippers have celebrated the consecration of a temple.

A procession of dancing, singing and praying Hindus made its way along Belgrave Road, Leicester, to the Vrajdham temple, in Loughborough Road, while scores more watched.

The temple is dedicated to Srinathji, the deity worshipped by the Pushtimarg sect.

Dwarkesh Laljee, a descendant of the sect's founder, who had travelled from India to bless the building, performed the opening ceremony. He travelled along Belgrave Road in a horse-drawn carriage accompanied by devotees, drummers and singers.

The temple was a place of worship which had fallen into disrepair and not been used for over two years.

Temple spokesman Ashok Thakker said: "This is an historic landmark.

"From what was a fairly dilapidated building centre it has mushroomed into what we see now."

Mahendra Lakhani, from Rushey Mead, and brother Bupendra, who had travelled from Cambridgeshire, for the event watched the procession.

Mahendra said: "For us, it's a special occasion we shouldn't miss. It's a once-in-a-lifetime occasion.

"I used to travel to India once a year to visit the shrine of Shrinathji so I am so pleased we will now have this temple."

Jayaradhe Dasi, 53, of Rushey Mead said: "We have come to show our love and devotion for God and to receive spiritual blessings."

THIS WEEK'S VISITORS (1,400)

Regular update on the number of pageviews received from different parts of the world in the week just ending.

1. United Kingdom 652
2. United States 432
3. France 103
4. Germany 78
5. Russia 19
6. India 19
7. Poland 12
8. Canada 11
9. Brazil 8
10. Ukraine 7
11. France 16

This week's total: 1,400 (last week's: 1,724). These are aggregates of figures from the top ten countries only. Blogger's stats software doesn't show me numbers of pageviews below the tenth-ranking country.

The world map at the top of this post is the graphic that I see on the stats page. The darker the green, the more pageviews from that country. I can see different versions of that map for "now" (whenever that is), "today", "this week", "this month" and "all time" (which seems to mean the last 12 months). They're updated each time I look at them.

CHALLENGING RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: YOUTH SACRE CONFERENCE

At Holy Trinity Church, Regent Road, for "Challenging RE": a Religious Education conference for gifted and more able RE students, years 8-11. There are pupils and students from eleven city schools here today:

• Babbington Community College
• City of Leicester College
• Fullhurst Community College
• Leicester High School
• Madani High School
• Moat Community College
• New College
• Rushey Mead School
• Samworth Enterprise Academy
• Sir Jonathan North Community College
• Soar Valley College

Teachers from Hamilton Community College and Judgemeadow Community College are leading workshops today, though no students from either of those schools are attending the conference.

After the words of welcome from Jill Car (RE Consultant for Leicester City Council) and the introductory talk by Fiona Moss (Consultant for RE Today Services), attendees get to choose from a variety of seminars and workshops:

Visual RE: Breathe Breathe is a resource for exploring the themes of belief, journey and values. It is a large mat with 12 interactive and reflective activities. It is an imaginative way of asking some of life's big questions. (That's a photo of Breathe above.)

Ethical RE: Right and wrong? A multifaith perspective Examining the theme of good and evil and if religion can make a difference to life here in Leicester both now and in the future.

Reflective RE: A Buddhist perspective What does Buddhism teach about how should live our lives? Could we find inner peace by following the precepts of Buddhism?

Controversial RE: Early life issues, a multifaith perspective The Youth SACRE invites you to investigate arguments for and against abortion from a multifaith perspective? Whose life is it anyway?

Controversial RE: A Jewish perspective Wrestle with topical, ethical issues such as euthanasia, racism, genetic engineering and the Holocaust standing in the shoes of the Jewish community.

Enquiring RE: Persecuted for your faith? A Christian perspective Would you be prepared to die for what you believe in? Some Christians around the world are doing exactly that! True, harrowing stories from around the world.

Active RE: Euthanasia. A Hindu and Christian perspective Take part in an active workshop that uses drama, roleplay and reflection to allow you to truly understand the debate that surrounds this controversial issue!

Creative RE: A Sikh and Christian perspective on poverty RE invites you to reflect on all sorts of issues ... be challenged transfer your ideas and images onto glass and take away a reminder of the day.

Enquiring RE: using P4C (Philosophy for Children) to explore a topical RE issue Thinking aloud about RE: What do you really think about some of the "Big Issues" in contemporary society? Does religion help or hinder our thinking about such issues? Come along to ask some questions and think about some "answers" for yourself.

Extreme RE: Contentious issues from a multifaith perspective The death penalty? Homosexuality Islamophobia? Tackling some of today's taboos interactively.

Exciting RE: Religious Education and Community Cohesion Did the summer riots show that we are unable to work as a cohesive society? Are there lessons to be drawn from religion?

Creative RE: Green issues from a Humanist and Muslim perspective Live in this world as if you were going to live forever! How do the ethics of Humanism and Islam help us to preserve the planet? A creative workshop.

After lunch, I take part in a panel with six others:

• Kartar Singh (Sikh)
• Dave Smith (Christian, Youth Worker, Holy Trinity church)
• Sheila Markham (Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation)
• Kishan Devani (Hindu: Swaminarayan School, Brent)
• Allan Hayes (Leicester Secular Society)
• Selma Ravat (Muslim)

A Buddhist was invited and accepted the invitation, but hasn't shown up.

The panel is introduced and chaired by Jill Carr (Secretary of SACRE), who pulls from a bag a number of questions submitted in writing by attendees.

1. "Why do Protestants and Catholics hate each other even though they believe in creation and in the same God?" Jill gave this question to Dave and Sheila (although I, with my background of having grown up in the blue half of Glasgow in the 1960s and 70s, couldn't help but wade in!)
2. "What makes you believe that God exists?" Jill gave this question to Selma and Allan (so the latter could tackle the question from the opposite end).
3. "What exactly is the Bahá'í Faith and who are Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá?" Jill gave this one to me - surprise, surprise - though I'd have liked to hear another member of the panel to try it on for size before I answered it. I can't help but think that Jill slipped this one in just for my benefit.
4. "From a Hindu perspective, if we have souls and go through the cycle of samsara - who are we? And when we die, will we know who we have been?" Jill gave this one to Kishan.
5. "Can God help with life?" Jill gave this one to Dave and Kishan.
6. "What do you find difficult about your faith?" Jill gave this one to Selma and Sheila.
7. "Is it right to abort a child if it has disabilities?" Jill gave this one to Allan and Kishan.
8. ""Why do Muslims agree with Halal meat which is not the most humane way of treating an animal, when the Qur’án teaches that animals should be treated with kindness? Jill gave this one to Selma and Sheila (and Kartar chips in).
9. "Is Jesus watching us?" Jill gives this one to Dave.

After these written questions, Jill opens the floor so that pupils and students can ask questions of the panellists directly.

• To Kishan: "What do you class as 'the soul'?"
• To Selma: "With Muslims teenagers and young adults, do you think it's hard for them to follow some of the rules, such as not having a boyfriend or girlfriend and not drinking alcohol?"
• To Dave: "If Christians believe that God is omnipotent, how come there's so much suffering in the world?"
• To Kishan: "You say that in Hinduism, all animals have atman. If that's true, why can't animals think and reason, like humans?"

The day ends with a rousing performance by a choir, put together on the day.

LEICESTER COUNCIL OF FAITHS AGM 2011

It's Leicester Council of Faiths Annual General Meeting this evening at Guru Amar Das Gurdwara, Clarendon Park Road.

I've been with Harry and Grace in Wigston. Around teatime every Tuesday I whisk them back and forth between two choirs of which they’re members (well, Harry two and Grace one). This evening, as soon as I drop them off at Guthlaxton College for the Leicester Phoenix Youth Chorale, I'm in a taxi, which I've booked to get me to the gurdwara on time.

I have an interesting chat with the driver en route - about where I'm and why I'm going there. He assumes I've said I want to go to the gurdwara just because it's a reference point in Clarendon Park Road. When I tell him, no, I'm actually going to the gurdwara itself, it sparks an unexpected conversation. He's clearly a bit phased by a white British guy asking to be driven to a Sikh place of worship. It's this kind of encounter that reminds me just how unusual my job is, even in a city as diverse and mixed as Leicester.

With a bit of foresight, I’ve spent some time in the gurdwara earlier this afternoon, putting up our exhibition (blogged here), so that it’s ready for the meeting this evening, panic and stress-free.

I arrive, to find that the agenda has been rejigged. I've managed to miss the food and have to jump in just as the meeting proper starts.

Our guest speaker is Paul Weller, Professor of Inter-Religious Relations at the University of Derby, who gives a presentation entitled, "Faith Communities, Groups and Organisations in Civil Society: Opportunities, Issues and Challenges". Prof. Weller's talk is based on seven theses and his comments following on them.

Thesis 1: The importance of not marginalising religions from public life

A tendency to assign religions to the private sphere will impoverish the state by marginalising important social resources and might unwittingly encourage those reactive, backward- and inward-looking expressions of religious life that are popularly characterised as "fundamentalism".

Comment: Secularists should beware the Law of Unintended Consequences in relation to religion. 

Thesis 2: The need to recognise the specificity of religions

Religious traditions and communities offer important alternative perspectives t the predominant values and power structures of states and societies. Religions are a reminder of the importance of the things that cannot be seen, touched, smelled, tasted and heard, for a more balanced perspective on those things that can be experienced in these ways.

Comment: After the technocratic death of politics and on the other side of the global financial crisis, could religions contribute to the rebirth of the politics of the human? 

Thesis 3: The imperative for religious engagement with the wider community

Religious communities and traditions should beware of what can be seductive calls from within their traditions to form "religious unity fronts" against what is characterised as "the secular state" and what is perceived as the amorality and fragmentation of modern and post-modern society.

Comment: Why are religions (and, at the moment, especially Christianity) seem to be getting so fearful about a perceived Secularist lobby and agenda? Is such fear justified? 

Thesis 4: The need for a reality checkNational and political self-understandings that exclude people of other than the majority traditions, either by design or by default are, historically speaking, fundamentally distorted. Politically and religiously such self-understandings are dangerous and need to be challenged.

Comment: What about the BNP and its appropriation of Christian symoblism? But is it only such groups who should be the cause of concern? 

Thesis 5: The need to recognise the transnational dimension of religions

Religious communities and traditions need to pre-empt the dangers involved in becoming proxy sites for imported conflicts involving their coreligionists in other parts of the world. But because they are themselves part of wider global communities of faith, religions have the potential for positively contributing to a better understanding of the role of states and societies of their own countries within a globalising world. 

Thesis 6: The importance of religious inclusivity

Religious establishments as well as other traditions and social arrangements that provide particular forms of religion with privileged access to social and political institutions need to be re-evaluated. There is a growing need to imagine and to construct new structural forms for the relationship between religion(s), state(s) and society(ies) that can more adequately express an inclusive social and political self-understanding than this which currently privilege majority religious traditions.

Comment: Can there not be alternatives to established religions that do not shut religions out of the public sphere? 

Thesis 7: The imperative of inter-religious dialogue

Inter-religious dialogue is an imperative for the religious communities and for the states and societies of which they are a part. There is a need to continue the task of developing appropriate inter-faith structures at all levels within states and societies and in appropriate transnational and international structures.

Comment: Perhaps there is, today, even more need for religious / secular dialogue.

After Prof. Weller’s talk, the main business of the evening is the election of members of the Board of Directors and the Officers. My role during this part is to take the minutes.

At the end of the meeting, I get to promote our local activities for the third national Inter Faith Week, coming up later this month. I have a big bundle of our fliers and of the programme for Phoenix Square, open at the page for the Faiths Film Festival.

I'm the last one out, having to stay behind, take down and pack up the nine pop-up banners in our exhibition. Thanks to Rosemarie Fitton for giving me (and them) a lift home. Then I manage to leave one of them outside my door overnight in the rain. Thank goodness those bags are just waterproof enough!  

Photo © Copyright P L Chadwick and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

REPORT TO ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2010-11

Equality & Diversity Officer

REPORT OF ACTIVITIES,

1 oCTOBER 2010 – 30 SEPTEMBER 2011

Since submitting my last annual report (to end September 2010), I've been able to consolidate many important areas of my work for Leicester Council of Faiths, as well as entering into some significant new territory. This report presents highlights of the period, 1 Oct 2010 – 30 Sep 2011.

Given our limited resources in terms of funding, material, staff and volunteer time, it makes sense that much of what is described below has been achieved through partnership working. We are unable to go it alone in most activities – and if even if we could, partnership working is more often desirable and efficacious in its outcome than not. For the same reason, I have been much involved in promoting Leicester Council of Faiths through social media, in order to amplify our reach and influence. Details of my day-to-day activities may be found on my blog: www.equalitydiversityofficer.blogspot.com. The blog is updated frequently and has the facility for readers to ask questions or leave comments.

In all the circumstances, settings and situations in which I've been involved, my priority has been to ensure that religion or belief (described as a “Protected Characteristic” in the Equality Act 2010) remains in the public eye and that Leicester Council of Faiths is recognised and respected for promoting equality of opportunity, opposing unlawful discrimination and fostering good relations between people of different communities in Leicester and – wherever and whenever opportunity arises – farther afield.

It is important to recognise that all funding for this post comes solely from what I am able to raise through selling my services. All the money that goes to sustain this work comes in through my efforts alone. Currently there are no other sources of funding. Having said that, it should also be noted that much of my work on behalf of Leicester Council of Faiths is not funded. This is made possible by my working in the margins, on activities which are effectively subsidised by funding received from a small number of projects.

Amplified Leicester

Having supported this (DMU-sponsored) project since its inception in 2008, I was asked to convene a panel and present an evening on the theme, “Amplified Communities of Faith and Belief”. This took place at the end of March 2010 at Phoenix Square, featuring contributors from the Islamic Society of Britain, Leicester Secular Society and Samworth Enterprise Academy. The panel was recorded on video and posted online.

An Indian Summer

I was given an hour-long slot in this popular and successful weekend event at Phoenix Square to present a workshop entitled, “How Diverse is Leicester?” As well as the workshop itself, this gave the Council of Faiths a boost in terms of the publicity for the event – including a strong presence in the promotional materials. 

Bereavement services

I was asked to coordinate meetings of a subcommittee on burial, cremation and other issues to do with bereavement, in association with City Council officers.

Centre of Excellence in Community Cohesion

This project was run out of the office of former City Council CEO, Sheila Locke, looking at ways to market the secret of Leicester’s success as a Centre of Excellence in Community Cohesion. Much interesting and useful work was done and material crated which, hopefully, won’t be allowed to go to waste.

Christians Aware

I supported this group, one of the most positive contributors to positive inter faith knowledge and understanding in the city. I was able to attend virtually all their Monday evening sessions at Christchurch, Clarendon Park and write them up for posterity on the blog. I was invited to the planning of their 2011-12 programme.

De Montfort University

Members of DMU Islamic Society were filmed during Discover Islam Week (Feb 2011) and the interviews posted on our YouTube channel. This helped establish a positive link with DMU Students Union. I worked closely with DMU Student Employment Services in the summer over the appointment and management of our summer intern, Rahat Ahmed. I also organised the Council of Faiths display at the Student Union Community Fair (29 Sep 2010).

English Defence League protest

I proposed the inter faith contribution and organised appropriate speakers / readers for the vigil at Leicester Cathedral the night before the protest by the English Defence League (8 Oct 2010). I took part in briefings before and after the protest on behalf of Leicester Council of Faiths and was asked by the Police to act as one of the “points of contact” on the day. On the day after the protest (Sun 10 Oct 2010), I organised our stall (and volunteers) at the “Celebrate One Leicester” event in Humberstone Gate.

Equality & Diversity Partnership (EDP)

This partnership of city-based organisations had been advising Leicester City Council on relevant aspects of its papers, policies, practices etc for several years. This work had been funded through the Area Based Grant, abolished by the Coalition this year. Leicester City Council decided to end its relationship with EDP on 31 Mar 2011.  Relevant work continued till this date. Termination of this arrangement represents a considerable decrease in funding for my post in 2011-12.

Global Education Leicester-Shire (GELS)

Active involvement with GELS, based at Southfields Library, allowed exposure of our presence, services and work to the widest possible networks of teachers, students, pupils and practitioners in relevant fields throughout city and county.

Host Organisation for Leicester Partnership

The contract (and funding) for the our role as Leicester Partnership’s “Host Organisation” for the community of interest related to religion and belief came to an end on 31 March 2011. This work had been funded through the Area Based Grant, which was abolished by the Coalition this year. All the organisations working in this capacity for their respective communities of interest (Age UK; Leicester LGBT Centre; Leicestershire Centre for Integrated Living; LeicestHERday Trust; The Race Equality Centre) had their contracts terminated at the same time, for the same reason. Relevant work continued till this date. Termination of this contract represents a considerable decrease in funding for my post in 2011-12.

Inter Faith Week 2010

For the second year, Leicester Council of Faiths was invited to mount an exhibition in Highcross Inter Faith Week (21-27 November 2010). The exhibition was a showcase for our role in promoting good relations between faith communities in Leicester – at the same time presenting accurate information about the beliefs and practices of  the communities represented on Leicester Council of Faiths and their contribution to life in the city. More than 65 people from different faith communities (including some people of no particular affiliation) volunteered to fill 95 two-hour slots fronting the display across the week. The intention was to have mixed groups there to talk with enquirers. Highcross management said we had up to 400,000 "footfalls" past our exhibition. A highlight of the week was the visit by Sir Peter Soulsby, in his capacity (at that time) as an MP. Planning is well underway for Inter Faith Week 2011 (20-26 Nov), for which Highcross have again invited us to present our exhibition– in a new and improved location. Much of my time and energy this year has been devoted to preparations for Inter Faith Week 2011 – not only the exhibition in Highcross, but also additional ways to celebrate the week, including a Favourite Faiths Photo exhibition at the recently-opened Leicester People’s Photographic Gallery and Leicester’s first Faiths Film Festival at Phoenix Square.

Leicester Speaks 2010 (aka Local Democracy Week)

Local Democracy Week is an initiative of Speaker’s Corner Trust (a national educational charity) which came to Leicester for the first time in October 2010. Here it was rebranded “Leicester Speaks” and taken under the wing of Leicester Adult Skills and Learning Service (LASALS). I was asked to represent Leicester Council of Faiths on the steering group and was then asked (by the steering group) to be Joint Chair of the week-long event (along with John Coster of Citizens’ Eye Community News Agency). Leicester Council of Faiths obtained a high profile in this event, our main contribution being a series of small-scale, informal dialogue meetings, involving faith community group who aren’t often seen speaking together in public (Jain/Sikh at the Adult Education College; Baha’i/Christian at the Welcome Centre; Buddhist/Muslim at the Welcome Centre; Hindu/Jewish at Phoenix Square. The last of these was recorded on video and an extract posted on YouTube, where it received a gratifying number of views). The Steering Group which plans the programme has met several times this year – and has asked John and I to be Joint Chairs for the second Leicester Speaks (17-24 October 2011).

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust /  NHS Leicester City

Due to internal restructuring, the Service Level Agreement between Leicester Council of Faiths and NHS Leicester City Primary Care Trust passed to Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust. This contract is currently in its final year and will end May 2012. Within the parameters of this contract, I have been performing a variety of funded tasks: Involvement in consultation exercises to help Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust identify its priorities in terms of equality and diversity; Working on a Multi-Faith Staff Resource, suitable for use on wards as well as being available on the staff intranet (I am also involved in arranging training sessions for induction of staff in use of this resource); Establishment and maintenance of an Interfaith Staff Support Group; A tentative start has been made on the Faith Communities Health Champions initiative, with samples of video diary recordings from a variety of individuals, but this needs considerably more work before going live.

Muslim Burial Council of Leicestershire book

The Muslim Burial Council of Leicestershire (MBCoL) launched its well-received book, Discovering Through Death: Beliefs & Practices with a function at Oadby Parklands (27 May 2011). The introductory sections on the beliefs and practices of the eight member communities on Leicester Council of Faiths were taken directly from the texts I wrote for our current leaflet series.

Networking

I've been able to maintain and develop contact and involvement with a variety of other networks (formal and informal) operating in/around the city, including Amplified Leicester; Cathedral AM; Citizens’ Eye Community News Agency; CreativeCoffee Club (I'm now on the management committee for this popular networking activity at Phoenix Square); East Midlands Network on Spirituality and Mental Health; Philosophers in the Pub; To Be Creative (at LCB Depot).

Our Leicester Day

We exhibited at this showcase for city and county Voluntary and Community Sector organisations in Leicester market alongside almost 100 other groups (11 Sep 2011).

Regional Equality & Diversity Partnership (REDP)

The largest part of my funded work this year on behalf of Leicester Council of Faiths has been within the setting of the Regional Equality and Diversity Partnership. This project (carried out in alliance with the three other “Core Partners”: Leicester LGBT Centre; Leicestershire Centre for Integrated Living; The Race Equality Centre) is now well into its third year. Considerable efforts are being made to find ways and means of making REDP sustainable beyond the end of its initial funding period, in Jun 2012. Leicester Council of Faiths has been the specialist voice in this project on issues related to religion or belief. Our involvement has helped mainstream what is a relative newcomer to the world of equalities and has helped lend credibility both to this Protected Characteristic and to Leicester Council of Faiths itself as a serious contributor to the work of bringing about a fairer society. I've benefitted from free specialist training in equality, diversity and human rights made available through involvement in this project; a number of the Council of Faiths Board members have been able to benefit from this training too.

Schools & colleges

I've been able to assist a number of schools and colleges in the city and county in several ways, including: Assembling a group of speakers for a Philosophy Panel at St Paul’s Catholic School (Oct 2010); Exhibiting at the Together inter-faith event, Beauchamp College, Oadby (Nov 2010); Contributing to a “Faith and Planet: Viewpoint day” at New College (Feb 2011); Helping Leicester College Department of Caring Professions find placements for students (Sep 2011).

Social media

I've continued to develop the Council of Faiths virtual presence and exploitation of social media.. Facebook (189 people have signed up indicating they “like” it to date); Twitter (more than 420 followers to date); Equality & Diversity Officer blog (more than 53,000 pageviews to date). Based on experience with Leicester Speaks, I set up a YouTube channel for Leicester Council of Faiths.

Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE)

Our strong working relationship with Leicester SACRE continued to develop this year. While there is officially no place on SACRE for an organisation like Leicester Council of Faiths, we enjoyed observer status at its meetings and lent practical assistance in a variety of ways: Assisting in SACRE’s programme of “Sacred Spaces Training” for volunteers in local places of worship who receive school parties and other visitor groups (2 half-days in Oct 2010); Exhibiting at “Faith for the Future” conference for gifted and talented pupils in RE at Holy Trinity Church (29 Oct 2010); Contribued exhibition to “Inside out: Sacred Spaces” confer3ence at Jain Centre (16 June 2011); Contributing to online booklet series, “Engaging with Leicester’s Faith Communities”, available to all school staff in Leicester on the City Council intranet (to date, ones on Christians, Muslims and Sikhs have been completed, one on Hindus is in progress); Providing a training session for Youth SACRE on social media.

Stronger Communities Partnership

To avoid potential conflict of interest, Councillor Manjula Sood, our Chair, asked me to represent the Council of Faiths on Leicester City Council’s Stronger Communities partnership.

Twenty-fifth anniversary

After some deliberation by the Board of directors, I was given responsibility for convening a subcommittee to work on appropriate celebrations for the 25^th anniversary of Leicester Council of Faiths. An intern was taken on for six weeks over the summer to work exclusively on this project. It has not proved possible to get this this subcommittee together to meet – but (with the approval of my Personnel Management Group) I've proceeded with “double badging” Inter Faith Week in Nov to celebrate (at least the start of) the 25^th anniversary.

University of Leicester

I was able to help at the university in several ways: by providing (and staffing) our pop-up banners at the International Chaplaincy stall during the welcome programme for overseas students in the O2 Academy (28 Sep 2010); by accepting an invitation from the International Chaplaincy’s World Faiths Advisory Group to help make their consultations and activities more “inter faith”; by assisting the Department of Archaeology and Ancient History in its “Faith and Place” project.

Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL)

I've worked with VAL as a member of working parties and steering groups on the following projects: developing a volunteering strategy for city and county; working toward the eventual successful establishment of a Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly for city and county; creating and promoting a training programme for infrastructure providers; working up a bid for funding of a range of partners in the new Transforming Local Infrastructure programme.

TAKING A FLYER

For the hour that Harry's in choir practice at St Thomas the Apostle Parish Church this afternoon, I go tromping round South Wigston, delivering by hand bundles of leafflets for Inter Faith Week. I've made up packs of 25, with a compliments slip on which I've written in big, bold, Sharpie letters: "Would you kindly display these leaflets? Thank you!" and included my calling card. All wrapped up in a transparent food bag (from Wilko's, 20 for 18p). I drop one of these bundles in at:

• South Wigston Congregational Church, Blaby Road
• South Wigston Methodist Church, Blaby Road (photo above)
• South Leicestershire College, Blaby Road
• St Mary's Catholic Church, Countesthorpe Road
• Bassett Centre, Bassett Street
• St Thomas the Apostle, St Thomas's Road

Earlier this afternoon, I dropped one of these bundles in at the Central Avenue Christian Church, Central Avenue.

I've a taxi waiting to take Harry and me from St Thomas to Guthlaxton College, for his second choir practice of the day (Leicester Phoenix Youth Chorale) then I continue on to the Council of Faiths Annual General Meeting at Guru Amar Das Gurdwara in Clarendon Park Road.

SETTING UP FOR ANNUAL GENERAL MEEETING

A flying visit to Guru Amar Das Gurdwara, Clarendon Park Road, where Leicester Council of Faiths is holding its Annual General Meeting this evening.


I rendezvous there with Clive Sutton as he drops off our set of eight banners. He's returning them after they'd been used at the University of Leicester International Chaplaincy, which was celebrating its 20th anniversary last week.


We're welcomed by Sewa Singh, who always greets me as "Mr George" (which I like).  After a bit of a reccy, we decide that the best place for the display is in the short corridor leading off the reception area, as shown in the photo above. That's Sewa Singh walking away from the camera.