At Initiatives of Change, we live the duality of being and doing; of presence and action, as we respond to the needs of today’s world. Whether you’ve been with us for years, or are just getting to know us—we warmly invite you to join us for our National Gathering online, beginning on 15 May, 7 to 9 pm AEST
All sessions will be accessible via Zoom. Please register for the sessions below.
Now is the time to harness the essence of IofC—trust, faith, and action from a place of integrity—which, if brought forward, will make a significant contribution towards healing the soul of our nation.
NOW IS THE TIME!
SESSION 1: Saturday 15 May
Lighting Up Armagh—A New Vision
This will be a night of ‘lighting up’ a new vision for Initiatives of Change Australia and our Australia-Pacific Centre, Armagh. We will spotlight stories from IofC history, and showcase the launch of Our Uluru Response, our new Trustbuilding Project.
NOTE: During this session we will join the IofC India community from 7.30-8.30 pm AEST for an hour of multi-faith prayers, songs and words of healing in response to the current COVID crisis. To accommodate this change, our time with Suresh Vazirani, IofC International President, will now take place on Monday 17 May.
Register for Session 1
SESSION 2: Monday 17 May
Fireside chat with the EO and Board
Executive Officer Margaret Hepworth and IofC Australia Board members will outline our strategic priorities and focus as an organization. Here is your chance to ask the new EO and the Board any questions you like! Suresh Vazirani, IofC International President, will join us for this session.
Register for Session 2
SESSION 3: Wednesday 19 May
SESSION 3: Wednesday 19 MayLooking beyond our borders—An international session
Guest speaker and international relations scholar Dr Pradeep Taneja from the University of Melbourne will speak about ‘Australia, China and India in a post-COVID world,’ delving deeply into diplomatic relationships across these countries.
Friends from the IofC community in other parts of the world will join us for regional and global updates, including news from IofC centres in Switzerland and India, and from Trustbuilding Project teams around the world.
SESSION 4: Friday 21 May
Creating a new narrative for Australia & beyond
Time to get creative through the inspiration of music and poetry! Be immersed in Wayapa Wuurrk’s Indigenous mindfulness sessions, connecting us to Mother Earth. Learn more about the new Creators of Peace guide, Advocating a New Story of our Shared Humanity.
This session is open to all, and IofC Australia is covering the costs of our Indigenous facilitators. We invite you to support this session through a donation of $15 or more.
We will provide you with an option to 'Donate' when you register for this session.
SESSION 5: Monday 24 May
SESSION 5: Monday 24 MayWalking with First Nations—OUR call to action
NOW IS THE TIME for walking with First Nations on a journey of truth-telling and truth-hearing. In this session, we will explore the themes emerging from the new book by Brian Butler and John Bond, Sorry and Beyond: Healing the Stolen Generations.
How can we all be agents of change in the unfinished apology to our Stolen Generations? Be inspired by our panel of First Nations leaders and allies at the forefront of the healing journey and beyond.
- Ray Minniecon, pastor
- Heather Shearer, activist
- John Bond OAM, co-author of Sorry and Beyond
- Dr Paul Gray, psychologist
We will wrap up our National Gathering in this final session with a deeper understanding of the commitments we are making, to make a difference in the world.