Transcript of Young Leaders Chat on Interfaith Service for
URI’s 10th Anniversary: A Celebration of Service
June 27, 2010 15:00 GMT / UTC
Attending: Erik – New Orleans, USA, Allison – New Orleans, USA Mrithula- Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, Sharon- Manila, Philippines, Arin – Los Angeles, USA, Peter – Chicago, USA, Anqa – Lahore, Pakistan, Sarah Talcott – San Francisco, USA
[Apologies to all – I neglected to record the beginning portion of the chat (Meebo only archives so much of the chat) so I have the last 30 minutes where we moved more to practical ideas for how to build the movement bigger. Many great service projects were shared in the early part by the attendees. Among these, Sharon from Youth for Unity in the Philippines shared about a tree-planting project (planting 70 saplings) and an environmental seminar on waste management techniques for youth that they organized in the Philippines for the URI’s 10th Anniversary; Erik and Allison from Interfaith Works are organizing a project in New Orleans empowering youth entrepreneurship – especially for youth who are chosen as the “tradition-bearers” carrying forward the New Orleans traditions of festivalizing, drumming and more; and Arin from the University of Southern California who shared about an interfaith choir they have created at his university and also other interfaith projects he is part of with the Council for the Parliament of World Religions. Erik and Allison are currently attending the National Conference on Volunteering and Service and also shared about a recent meeting they were part of to ramp up service on 500 college campuses across the USA. We will keep in touch to hear more from them about how URI youth in North America can take part in this. Peter shared about the Abrahamic Youth Alliance he is creating to bring youth of the Abrahamic faiths together through online dialogue. Sharon also shared a beautiful concept of kapatid – a term from an Indigenous culture in the Philippines – to mean brethren, a sense of kinship with all.]
Link to 10th Anniversary video greeting from the Youth for Unity in the Philippines: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1354744753463&oid=119957050779
Link to interfaith choir Shanti at University of Southern California: http://www.usc.edu/programs/religious_life/about/shanti.html
Link to information about the National Conference on Volunteering and Service in the US: http://www.volunteeringandservice.org/
[08:42] sarah from california: yes, i think the bigger question is... how can we unite our individual efforts into more of a collective movement?
[08:43] sarah from california: is "service" a concept that translates into cultures worldwide?
[08:44] Sharon from the Philippines: Yes, I think very much... though there are many different forms of it. Each religion and more so culture I've found seems to have the concept of service as very intrinsic to it..
[08:44] Mister Hat: It translates more easily than the concept of volunteerism.
[08:44] sarah from california: Mrithula - say more about your project you are organizing...
[08:44] Peter from Chicago: I would assume that, whatever projects we all pursue and complete, it promotes some form of positive effort for the community, and that effort to convey a positive impact is universal
[08:45] sarah from california: i think it can be the theme that transcends the nationalism and tribalism that divides us from each other
[08:46] sarah from california: in the Christian tradition, Jesus told the story of the "good samaritan" - the stranger who looked after those in need, pointing to someone other than his own ethnicity as a good example of service to others
[08:46] Mister Hat: Maybe we should go easy on tribalism. Tribal identity is important to a lot of indigenous people.
[08:47] Peter from Chicago: Agreed, Mr. Hat, but I believe the point being made was that volunteerism and the desire to have a positive impact on the community transcens national and tribal barriers
[08:47] sarah from california: i don't mean tribalism in the sense of one's indigenous tradition, i mean the tribalism that refers to only looking after your own
[08:47] Peter from Chicago: I agree that tribal identities are important
[08:48] sarah from california: i strongly support the preservation of all indigenous cultures, sorry if it came across otherwise
[08:48] sarah from california: thanks, Peter...
[08:49] Mister Hat: Got it, but maybe better to say "self-centeredness" or "ethnocentricity" (if that term is still in use).
[08:49] sarah from california: on that note, many of the indigenous traditions i have learned about have the concept of reciprocity at the heart of their relationship to others... the natural cycle of giving and receiving... which is a good example to all of us
[08:49] sarah from california: point taken, Erik!
[08:50] Mister Hat: Okay, I 'll stop flogging this dead horse. With apologies to the horse community.
[08:50] Mrithula from Malaysia: In Malaysia the concept of interfaith is still an infant concept. And as i said bands like the one Arin is in is just not done here
[08:50] Mrithula from Malaysia: The project that i have conceptualized is to have a music and dance festival to get the youths of Malaysia together to showcase their individual cultures though the medium of dance and music
[08:50] Sharon from the Philippines: Yes, Sarah.. allow me to share with you the origin of the filipino word 'kapatid' which means brethren..
[08:51] Sharon from the Philippines: patid - a part of...
[08:51] Arin Ghosh from Southern California: @ Misterhat my perception was that Ethnocentricity was judging others from owns own point of view, norms
[08:51] Sharon from the Philippines: So basically it means like its a part of yourself. An extension of ones own being...
[08:51] Mister Hat: Arin, I think that is a good definition.
[08:51] Sharon from the Philippines: But lets go back to the projects that people were sharing about..
[08:51] sarah from california: that's great, sharon, a good example...
[08:52] Mister Hat: Mrithula, where are you located? I have some good KL connections.
[08:53] sarah from california: Mrithula, how is it going with getting different faiths and traditions on board for the festival?
[08:53] Mrithula from Malaysia: I am in Petaling Jaya, the neighbour of KL
[08:55] Mrithula from Malaysia: The youths here seem quite receptive to the idea of getting together and showcasing their cultures
[08:55] Arin Ghosh from Southern California: Mrithula, how are you overcoming the initial icebreaking challenge for them to showcase their cultures?
[08:56] Mrithula from Malaysia: anyways, the hitch is that the generation before us have not fully grasped the concept of interfaith and they are the policymakers here so that is one of the cahllenges i face
[08:56] Arin Ghosh from Southern California: this, atleast in my limited exposure to interfaith, is a vital challenge. (How do we get those not at the interfaith table, not gravitating towards the interfaith table, to the interfaith table?)
[08:57] sarah from california: good question, arin.. one for all of us to consider
[08:57] Sharon from the Philippines: I seem to notice tha tpeople get turned off when I use the word interfaith..
[08:58] Sharon from the Philippines: Some are mistaken, that it means uniting all religions to form ONE. So it takes me a while to tell them that that is not the case!
[08:58] sarah from california: really! that is interesting... how do you frame it then, sharon?
[08:58] Mrithula from Malaysia: Arin, the youths here are well versed in their own cultures and have been showcasing them to their own communities alot. So just getting them to come out of their'comfort zone'
[08:58] Sharon from the Philippines: In fact, with the URI you are invited to deepen youself in your own tradition in order to get to understand the other.
[08:58] Sharon from the Philippines: I believe its one of the principles as well...
[08:59] Anqa (Pakistn): thats very true people dont understand what is interfaith
[08:59] Mrithula from Malaysia: and to give them the opportunity to let others see their tradition of which they are the torchbearers..
[08:59] Sharon from the Philippines: I have had this discussion with the other youth ambassadors of the region, and they sort of told me that it seems to work better, when you leave out the word interfaith on the onset...
[08:59] Anqa (Pakistn): they become rigid for that
[08:59] Sharon from the Philippines: So you know, they dont get turned off immediately..
[08:59] Arin Ghosh from Southern California: Yeah, Sharon, they seem to think Interfaith is a melting pot of all religions, which it is not. Everyone around town loves: "Inter-religious dialogue" but not Interfaith
[08:59] Sharon from the Philippines: Then you gently squeeze it in..
[09:00] sarah from california: can you frame it as people of different faiths, different cultures meeting together? more of a mouthful... but would that be more inviting?
[09:00] Mrithula from Malaysia: very true, the reason many people here get turned off by the concept of is is that they think they will have to lose their own religion to accept the others..
[09:00] Mister Hat: Sometimes "multifaith" works.
[09:00] Arin Ghosh from Southern California: In my opinion we should be capitalizing on Inter-Religious dialouge and not contending too much with "Interfaith"
[09:00] sarah from california: i think the term multi-faith doesn't quite accurately convey the sense of learning from one another, nor does pluralism in my humble opinion, but that is what they use in the UK (multi-faith) and increasingly in the U.S. (pluralism)
[09:01] Arin Ghosh from Southern California: Interfaith is more like the internal terminology of people involved in Inter-Religious dialogue
[09:01] Arin Ghosh from Southern California: in my opinion, of course.
[09:01] sarah from california: i think inter-religious can be alienating to people of some paths though
[09:01] Sharon from the Philippines: Yeah... multi-faith sort of sounds like a mixing of differetn religious symbols, all to come on their own..
[09:01] sarah from california: i think it depends on which groups you want to bring together @ arin
[09:01] Arin Ghosh from Southern California: yeah, that’s a good point Sarah
[09:02] Mister Hat: All terms have their problematics. Suggest picking the one that works best in a given context or situation at hand.
[09:02] sarah from california: but i also agree Arin that interfaith is a more "internal" word
[09:02] Sharon from the Philippines: *all to come up for one...
[09:02] Mrithula from Malaysia: i agree mister hat.
[09:03] sarah from california: i think it's also about how you approach each group and individual you want to work with... the thing i have found to be most effective is to go to another's festival or activity, to show solidarity with them, as the first step
[09:03] Sharon from the Philippines: Yes, that's true too... In fact, I usually say its just where a group of people from different backgrounds/walks of life byt with COMMON goals of peace and unity, come together to share their ideas..
[09:03] sarah from california: it's also in a way humbling yourself to them
[09:03] Sharon from the Philippines: Focusing on terms that are common or similar to different faiths. Yes, that is indeed one way Sarah.
[09:03] Mister Hat: And they usually feed you!
[09:04] Sharon from the Philippines: Because often they may feel ostracized since you are of a different religion... so that’s what they might focus on instead.
[09:04] Arin Ghosh from Southern California: @ Mister Hat: that's always the best right
[09:04] Sharon from the Philippines: Bye Mrithula! Thanks for sharing with us! Hope to hear from you soon again!
[09:04] Mister Hat: I think sharing a meal is even more powerful than sharing ideas.
[09:04] sarah from california: i shared something with the youth list a few days ago - a message from another person about the south african concept of "ubuntu" - it's kind of like human generosity to others, no matter who they are or where they are from
[09:05] sarah from california: yes i agree... sharing food is so important...
[09:05] Arin Ghosh from Southern California: @ MisterHat, sharing a meal is like opening the door to anything, without food, youth events don't reach their full potential
[09:05] Mister Hat: Ubuntu has been getting some airplay due to World Cup. Congrats to Ghana, by the way.
[09:06] sarah from california: i was recently at the Summer Peacebuilding Institute in Harrisonburg, VA and one of the best things was their community potlucks. where people from all different backgrounds would cook for each other and bring a dish that was from their culture... it was always a beautiful atmosphere that was created!
[09:07] sarah from california: do you all have any last thoughts about how we can work to create more of a collective movement around service - to magnify our efforts worldwide??
[09:07] Arin Ghosh from Southern California: to continue to support each other with retweeting, posting, and sharing events
[09:08] Arin Ghosh from Southern California: commenting on facebook posts by other members and circles worldwide on their recent activities or posts etc
[09:08] Mister Hat: Let's grow these chats! I gather IFYC is on board, but are they really engaged?
[09:08] Anqa (Pakistn): cooking is good idea but i thing the main thing is respect
[09:08] Sharon from the Philippines: To take off from what Mrithula has planned.. I think that one way to get more people involved is by joining in what is intrinsic to each culture.
[09:08] Anqa (Pakistn): and give confidence
[09:08] Sharon from the Philippines: Food is in the center of most..
[09:08] Arin Ghosh from Southern California: small, free things like that can make a tremendous world of difference and multiply visibility
[09:08] sarah from california: we have a collaborative activity with IFYC... they are supporting our summer of interfaith service project here in the bay area
[09:08] Mister Hat: Good
[09:08] Peter from Chicago: Yes, food brings people together more than anything, and with that, the discussions and engagement can take place
[09:08] Sharon from the Philippines: Music and dance are in others... where as in the Philippines.. its the concept of a fiesta, which is an amalgamation of all this!
[09:08] sarah from california: but we haven't truly joined forces overall, Erik, it's true...
[09:09] Anqa (Pakistn): like via conversatio, musics , ames
[09:09] Anqa (Pakistn): games
[09:09] Sharon from the Philippines: So aside from being technologically savvy, I think that we can also try making use of other forms of media, such as food, culture, the arts, music that you all have mentioned.
[09:09] sarah from california: all good ideas, Sharon
[09:10] sarah from california: i think we need "organizational ambassadors" as well!
[09:10] Anqa (Pakistn): as people are afraid of each other
[09:11] Anqa (Pakistn): so first we should try to reduce that tension
[09:11] sarah from california: people who really work to build authentic partnerships between our different groups and organizations, who are thinking about the points of connection, points of leverage for ALL of our work since it is all working for the same end vision
[09:11] Mister Hat: Hear! Hear!
[09:11] Arin Ghosh from Southern California: Amen to that!
[09:11] Peter from Chicago: That sounds wonderful, would really advance our work
[09:11] Sharon from the Philippines: Yup.. but I think instead of creating another category of people..
[09:12] sarah from california: yes, Anqa, thank you for reminding us that security and safety and respect have to be the first needs to be served..
[09:12] Sharon from the Philippines: The very same who are involved presently should strive to be that..
[09:12] Mister Hat: Learned a lot from everyone on this chat. Thank you and best wishes!
[09:12] sarah from california: true, Sharon... though sometimes it is difficult to keep abreast of all the other things that are going on when you are immersed in moving forward your own projects
[09:12] sarah from california: but we have to do better... i agree!
[09:12] sarah from california: thank you, Erik and Allison for joining us!
[09:12] Sharon from the Philippines: I do not wish to create hierarchies and that I think is what institutionalization does... And so I think those presently involved, should take the initiative!
[09:13] sarah from california: Erik - i want to hear more about how we can join with the efforts on college campuses, and promote through our URI youth network
[09:13] Anqa (Pakistn): yes thank you all
[09:13] Sharon from the Philippines: I'm glad that such pivotal ideas have come from our chat.. I hope we can further concretize these actions in the near future!
[09:13] sarah from california: thank you everyone, for a great chat... and taking the time on your Sunday / Mondays
[09:13] Mister Hat: Sarah, Allison and I will call you later this week or early next.
[09:13] Peter from Chicago: thanks everyone!
[09:13] Sharon from the Philippines: Once again, Happy 10th Anniversary to URI, and let's continue to move on to another decade of peacebuilding!
[09:14] Anqa (Pakistn): learned a lot from you all... i remained silent almost to learn
[09:14] sarah from california: yes, Sharon, maybe you can help me think through how we can spread these ideas and take them further
[09:14] Arin Ghosh from Southern California: Thanks Sarah! Happy 10th URI!
[09:14] Arin Ghosh from Southern California: Thanks all!
[09:14] sarah from california: thank you for joining us, Arin, so great to hear from you again!
[09:14] Anqa (Pakistn): bye all till next time...
[09:14] sarah from california: bye all... stay safe and be well!
[09:14] Allison from NOLA: bye everyone
[09:14] Arin Ghosh from Southern California: A pleasure, see you all down the journey where faith takes us
[09:14] Arin Ghosh from Southern California: Thanks all!
[09:14] sarah from california: thank you for joining us, Arin, so great to hear from you again!
[09:14] Anqa (Pakistn): bye all till next time...
[09:14] sarah from california: bye all... stay safe and be well!
[09:14] Allison from NOLA: bye everyone
[09:14] Arin Ghosh from Southern California: A pleasure, see you all down the journey where faith takes us
[09:15] Mrithula form Malaysia: ivahey everyone sorry for the interruption
[09:15] Sharon from the Philippines: Good day/night and have a blessed week ahead!
[09:15] Mrithula form Malaysia: it was good to hear from all of you
[09:15] Mrithula form Malaysia: have a great week ahead!! Peace and Love from Malaysia
[09:16] Mrithula form Malaysia: and Happy 10 Anniversary URI!!
