Newsletter 13 November 2022

Climate Action – Reporting back from COP27
Rod Oram, member of the RDC Climate Action Group, once again is ‘our man’ in this year’s UN COP27 Climate Change Conference. This event, momentous for our world, is taking place in the city of Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt.
We are happy that Rod is going to report to us directly from Egypt. Dr Paul Blaschke will interview Rod, and this recorded interview will be available on the RDC website on Thursday 17 November.

The 2023 Religious Diversity Calendar
Thank you for the wonderful feedback on our 2023 Religious Diversity Calendar.
If you haven’t ordered it yet, you can still do so.
The theme for the calendar is light – each month has a picture connected to a particular religion and to the theme of light. Most pictures were taken in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The calendars are $15.00 each and a discount applies if you purchase more than 10 calendars. Postage is $5.50 for every five calendars. To order calendars, please go to: https://rdc.org.nz/calendar-orders/
We are looking forward to hearing from you.

RDC Administration
If you have been in touch with us recently, you will have noticed that the RDC administration emails are now being attended to by our newly appointed administrative assistant Mary Nissen.
Mary is a person of wide experience and administrative skills, and we are delighted to have her ready assistance and support!

Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism – The Religious Diversity Centre plays a vital role
Trustees Selva Ramasami and Professor Paul Morris attended the second Hui on Countering Terrorism  and Violent Extremism which was held in Auckland 1-2 November. The Hui was clear that the community had a key role in preventing extremism and keeping the country safe. The RDC activities and programmes make a vital contribution to this goal.
Following the Hui Mervin Singham, Chief Executive of the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, recorded an interview with Rebecca Kitteridge, Director-General of Security, New Zealand Security Intelligence Service. Click here to listen to the full  21 minute interview or you can select one of four short sections – each focused on a different issue –   from the interview.
To watch the different parts of the interview click on the links below:
Myths v Reality and the National security system (3:38 min)
The community has a role to play in prevention (4:24 min)
Counter Terrorism and Foreign Interference (3:11 min)
Online expressions of hatred (2:54 min)

Nga mihi nui,
The Religious Diversity Centre

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