Inter-school partnership-Malek Fahd Islamic School and St Patrick’s Marist College
Interfaith Encounters
The Interfaith Encounters program provides a practical component to the study of religion.
Interfaith Encounters
Interfaith Encounters
Inter-school partnership-Australian Islamic College of Sydney and Gilroy Catholic College
The Interfaith Encounters program provides a practical component to the study of religion.
Bringing senior students from diverse backgrounds together, the program provides the platform for students and staff to develop new friendships, celebrate difference, deepen faith, and promote peace and social cohesion.
Interfaith Encounters provides students with knowledge, skills and experience in identity, dignity, and diversity.
Each inter-school program is preceded by partnership meetings with staff from each school and a focus group held with students to co-develop the specific program.
Participants will:
- Deepen their understanding of identity
- Grow in awareness of difference and appreciation for embracing diversity
- Appreciate the influences of bias and stereotypes
- Identify the building blocks of harmony
- Experience visiting sacred places
- Dialogue genuinely and openly with others
- Commit to concrete actions of harmony as a result of the program.
Interfaith Encounters programs are customised to the needs of schools and the student groups. Programs can be tailored to include virtual sessions and combined virtual and face to face options. Catholic Mission will arrange partnership meetings & tailor the program in consultation with schools.
Bridging Divides: Empowering Youth for Social Harmony
A newly published Western Sydney University report highlights Catholic Mission’s Interfaith Encounters program as a vital response, including Islamophobia and antisemitism. The pioneer program fosters inclusivity, empathy, and unity by bringing together young people from diverse backgrounds to explore shared values and build meaningful connections.
“Dialogue and understanding are essential for a connected and compassionate society,” says Catherine Towiro, Program Coordinator for Catholic Mission.
The report, conducted in collaboration Western Sydney University’s Centre for Western Sydney and Challenging Racism Project, highlights key outcomes:
- Increased appreciation for cultural diversity.
- Improved interfaith understanding.
- Greater confidence to combat discrimination.
With its focus on empowering youth through workshops and hands-on learning, the program equips participants to address prejudice and lead change within their schools and communities.
Delivered in partnership with Together for Humanity, the Centre for Western Sydney and the Challenging Racism Project, the program is a model for fostering social harmony.
To learn more about the program’s impact and explore how communities can adopt similar approaches, download the full report from Western Sydney University.
Together, we can bridge divides and build a brighter future for all.
For further information please contact:
Catherine Towiro
Interfaith Encounters Program Coordinator
PH: 02 9919 7800
Direct: 02 9919 7823
Funding from 2022 - 2024 for the Interfaith Encounters inter-school program was provided by the NSW Government through Multicultural NSW under its COMPACT program.
Catholic Mission is currently seeking future funding opportunities for the program and welcome your support for this work.