Dr Maureen Sier speaks at New Zealand Parliament about “Protecting Religious Freedom and Diversity: The Role of Government in Interfaith Organisations in Promoting Social Inclusion”

Dr Maureen Sier, Director, Interfaith Scotland

Dr Maureen Sier, Director of Interfaith Scotland, based in Glasgow, was a guest of the Religious Diversity Centre from 16 March through 2 April 2018. During her visit, she met with regional New Zealand interfaith councils in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin. The RDC and the Human Rights Commission also organised a Parliamentary event on 28 March 2018 with Ministers, MPs, government officials, religious leaders and representatives from various interfaith councils in New Zealand.

At the event in Parliament, Dr Sier discussed her role as Director of Interfaith Scotland and addressed the advantages of government support for issues of religious diversity and the potential benefits of social inclusion for Aotearoa New Zealand.

The event in Parliament was hosted by the Hon Adrian Rurawhe MP, Assistant Speaker, and over a hundred people were in attendance. The Human Rights Commission co-sponsored the event with the Religious Diversity Centre. RDC Trust Chairperson Jocelyn Armstrong introduced Dr Sier to the assembled guests, and Dame Susan Devoy, Race Relations Commissioner, offered closing remarks and reiterated the importance of government support for issues of religious diversity in New Zealand. 
From left to right: Dame Susan Devoy, Dr Maureen Sier, Dr Jenny Te Paa Daniel, and Jocelyn Armstrong. Photo by Todd Nachowitz.Maureen Sier event in Parliament