Dharmapeople Latest News : June 2009 NASACRE : Recruitment and Training Programme (East, South-East, South-West) Cultural : The 'Buddha Mind – Creative Mind ?' event , Jun 12-14th Interfaith : Tibet week at St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace Interfaith : IFN Circular 12/09 EHRC grants programme; Awards for Bridging Cultures; ECU; European elections Equality and Human Rights : funding Pandemic Flu guidelines and FCCC minutes ~ 0 ~ NASACRE : Recruitment and Training Programme (East, South-East, South-West) You may be aware that NASACRE has received funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and the Curriculum Cohesion Unit to develop its recruitment and training programme designed to build SACRE capacity. This funding is phased over two years and the second year is about to commence. The programme will be focused principally on filling vacancies on Group A (basically any other faith group apart from CoE) in the East of England, in the South East and the South West. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England_regions) You will find information on what a SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education) does on the National SACRE web site : www.nasacre.org.uk You might also want to have a look at the following documents : http://www.dharmapeople.com/ftp/SACRE_RE/NASACRE/NASACRE_training.htm, and http://www.dharmapeople.com/ftp/SACRE_RE/Lewisham_SACRE.doc Candidates should be aware that between two and four days of their time will be taken up by induction/training activities, but some of those might take place in the evenings. Financial compensation is only envisaged for expenses (e.g. travel) but not for taking time off for the training as such. Ideally suitable candidates would have some experience of education, and certainly an interest in Religious Education. The role involves liaising with the faith communities, schools (Teachers and children) and the Local Authorities. The candidate should have some time to spare (not a lot, just a few days per term perhaps, and therefore people not in full-time employment, or just retired, or young single parents, young teachers, etc might make ideal candidates). They should also be prepared to represent their whole faith community, regardless of their own specific background (either in terms of culture or tradition), and be ready and willing to engage representatives from other faiths in meaningful and constructive dialogue. Should multiple suitable candidates apply for the same Authority, the size of the community they represent would become the discriminating factor. Candidates are selected by the Local Authority itself. If anyone from yours, or other Buddhist groups you are in contact with, are interested in exploring the possibility of engaging in SACRE activities, please ask them to get in touch with me, and where vacancies are available, I will endeavour to put then in touch with the NASACRE Recruitment Officer. As far as the first cohorts are concerned, right now I am aware of vacancies in : Bedford borough Bedfordshire Central (meetings in Dunstable ?) Suffolk South Gloucestershire North Somerset Dorset Cornwall Plus two other authorities from a previous cohort Bexley in South East London Solihull in the West Midlands But I am also aware of a number of other potential vacancies in the South East and beyond, so please do register your interest in any case, because opportunities arise all the time. To find out more about your local SACRE, look under the Members page in the NASACRE site, or search the web specifying : e.g. ‘SUFFOLK SACRE’ If you or someone in your group would like to become Buddhist Representative on your local Authority SACRE , and you live in one of the mentioned Regions please let me know as soon as possible, sending me any details about yourself and your experience that would enable your local authority to make on informed decision about your application : please send it to mmarcigaglia(_at_)yahoo.co.uk where the (_at_) stands for @; Mariano M. , Tel 020 72520804 (evenings and weekends) Cultural : The 'Buddha Mind – Creative Mind ?' event , Jun 12-14th My name is Jamie Cresswell and I am the Director of the Institute of Oriental Philosophy - UK and the organiser of a forthcoming event called ‘Buddha Mind - Creative Mind? '. This takes place over the weekend of June 12th 13th 14th 2009, at Taplow Court near Maidenhead, Berkshire. Taplow Court is a lovely Victorian mansion with conference facilities overlooking the river Thames The event is a weekend exploration about Buddhism, the arts and the creative life. Our aim is to attract an audience from a wide variety of backgrounds - artists, musicians, students, people who look at art, poetry lovers and poets, music lovers; in fact anyone with some curiosity about how creativity, the arts and Buddhism might be linked. During the weekend we will explore the relationship between the creative life, artistic expression and Buddhist thought and practice. Areas that will be considered will include; what aspects of Buddhist thought and practice have artists drawn on in their artistic practice and how do they influence and challenge each other? Does Buddhism offer anything unique to the creative process? In what ways is creative practice used within Buddhism both today and historically? How does Buddhism influence the creative life? The programme will include speakers, workshops, demonstrations, and opportunities for dialogues with artists, performance, and an exhibition covering a range of artistic practices and live performance. This event will be of interest to anyone with an interest in Buddhism and creativity, artists and performers and all interested in the creative life. During the weekend we will also launch the ‘Dharma Arts Network’, a resource for artists interested in Buddhist thought. I have attached a flyer for the event and a draft programme and would be very grateful if you could print this off and display on notice boards, forward the email to any interested parties and consider attending yourself. I am sure it will be a very interesting and thought provoking event as well as a coming together of people from a variety of backgrounds with interests in this area of exploration. With my best regards, Jamie Cresswell, Director IOP-UK 01628 591213, jc@iopec.org, www.iopuk.org Interfaith : Tibet week at St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace http://www.stethelburgas.org/tibetweek.html, http://www.stethelburgas.org/june2009.html Tibet Week: 8th - 12th June 2009 We’re delighted to welcome the Tibetan monks of Tashi Lhunpo monastery (exiled in Karnataka) who will create a sand mandala in the restored mediaeval building of St Ethelburgas Centre throughout the week. Issues of peace and reconciliation in Tibet will be explored through talks, reflections and music around the mandala. Please click on the links below for further informtation about individual events or download the full programme here. Pre - Tibet Week events Above: The monks creating a sand mandala. Tashi Lhunpo Monastery is one of the most important monasteries in Central Tibet besides being the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama. After the Tibetan national uprising that took place in 1959, a handful of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery monks along with many thousands of Tibetans escaped into India. The Monastery was then subsequently re-established in Bylakuppe in Karnataka State, India. With the induction of new recruits over the years, the Monastery today has about 250 monks. Most of our major monasteries are thriving, but Tashi Lhunpo is still facing difficulties. Through the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery UK Trust's educational and cultural exchanges, including chanting and cham performances, the monks share our unique Tibetan culture and their special monastic tradition with people in Europe and other parts of the world. The Trust also supports the Monastery's work in India. Any assistance extended to the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery will be much appreciated. Film: Dalai Lama Renaissance Tuesday 2 June 7pm Tibet Foundation Anniversary Concert Sunday 7 June 6.30pm Tibet week events Regular events during Tibet week Meditations: Daily at 8-8.30am (except Monday and friday), 12.30-1pm (Thursday 12.30-1.30pm), 5.30-6pm (except friday). School Visits: Can be booked for morning sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Open to public: Afternoons 12.30-5pm (except Thursday) and during the following events Dedication ceremony Monday 8 June 10am What can Christians learn from Buddhists? Monday 8 June 6.30pm Stories of Tibet Tuesday 9 June 6.30pm Sacred Space: Talk and Performance Thursday 7 June 7pm Dissolution of the Mandala Friday 12 June 1pm Concert: The monks of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery (Tibet/India) Friday 12 June 7pm Interfaith : IFN Circular 12/09 EHRC grants programme; Awards for Bridging Cultures; ECU; European elections Dear Inter Faith Network contact, Equality and Human Rights Commission new grants programme On 8 May the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) announced a new £10.2 million Strategic Funding Programme, providing three-year project-based funding for national, regional or local community and voluntary sector organisations. The grants will be for up to three years in 2009-12 with a maximum overall amount of £450,000 (and of no more than £150,000 in any one year). It does not cover work in Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. A first priority for the new programme will be to fund organisations providing guidance, advice and advocacy services in areas including education, health and employment, as well as building capacity where there are gaps in local provision, for example for women who have experienced violence. A second priority will be to support increased co-operation between groups - including ethnic or religious communities - in areas where there are known tensions. A third priority funding area for the Commission is support for legal advice and awareness of legal rights, but this will be funded under a separate Programme which the Commission expects to launch in June. The Commission is particularly keen to fund activity that directly serves and involves individuals and local communities, that meets an unmet need, and that has the potential to inspire and inform longer-term activity that helps promote the Commission's objectives. The new funding programme builds on the Commission's 2008-09 interim grants programme, linking closely to its three year strategy for 2009-12 (soon to be published). A series of local "funding surgeries", providing information, advice and guidance to those voluntary and community organisations that wish to apply for the funding will be held across the nine English Regions, Wales and Scotland in May and early June. Details of these events are not yet available on the EHRC's website but further information on the grants programme, applying for funding under it, and on regional office contacts can be found at www.equalityhumanrights.com/funding <http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/funding> . The deadline for initial outline applications for strategic funding is 5 pm on 12 June. Results from the first tranche of applications will be announced towards the end of July 2009, when selected applicants will be asked to submit more detailed proposals. The adoption of this two stage application process is designed to reduce paperwork and bureaucracy and to ensure that applications that do not meet the Commission's criteria are identified at an early stage. The deadline for the completion of Stage 2 applications will be in mid-September with the results announced from mid-October. All funded projects will be expected to commence by January 2010. Awards for Bridging Cultures In 2008, the Institute of Community Cohesion launched the Awards for Bridging Cultures. Funded by the Baring Foundations, these reward local schemes and projects run by grassroots community and voluntary organisations that help to build bridges between communities and cultures. The application process is now open for this year's awards, which include a new award for individual volunteers who have made a significant contribution to initiating or running these projects. A copy of the guidance for applicants and the application form can be found at www.bridgingcultures.org.uk <http://www.bridgingcultures.org.uk> or the Awards team can be telephoned on 024 7679 5768. The deadline for applications is 14 September. Equality Challenge Unit The higher education Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) has recently published its first briefing note in a planned series on religious observance in higher education institutions. It deals with 'Religious observance in HE - timetabling and work patterns' and can be found at www.ecu.ac.uk/publications/religious-obs-timetabling <http://www.ecu.ac.uk/publications/religious-obs-timetabling> . The ECU is now looking to produce other practical guidance for institutions relating to potential conflicts between religious observance and the provision of facilities and services. This follows a meeting involving the ECU, national student-led religion and belief organisations, unions, higher education institutions and other religion and belief organisations. The meeting identified some key areas where there may be a clash between religious observance and the provision of facilities and services, including: * The provision and management of prayer facilities (e.g. multi faith rooms and 'personal reflection, meditation or prayer' rooms) * The presence of alcohol at key events (e.g. AGMs, union elections and inductions) * Catering for a range of dietary requirements (e.g. Kosher, Halal, vegan) * Provision of specific accommodation (e.g. single sex accommodation, Shabbat appropriate accommodation) and the use of shared kitchen facilities. The ECU is interested to learn whether staff and students have approached your organisation with issues in these areas (or others) and, if so, what steps have been taken to resolve these clashes. Please send any relevant material to chris.brill@ecu.ac.uk <mailto:chris.brill@ecu.ac.uk> by 22 May 2009. To ensure that practical solutions can be shared with the sector, ECU has asked that responses include information on: * How the course of action taken was decided, e.g. through consultation with student religion and belief groups * The key learning points. European Elections on 4 June Further to the material on this in Circular 10/09, a helpful example of a leaflet on the BNP issue has been prepared and circulated by the South London Inter Faith Group and can be found at their website at http://www.southlondoninterfaith.org.uk/ <http://www.southlondoninterfaith.org.uk/> Best wishes, Harriet Crabtree Dr Harriet Crabtree Director Inter Faith Network for the UK 8A Lower Grosvenor Place London SW1W 0EN Tel: 020 7931 7766 email: harriet.crabtree@interfaith.org.uk general office email: ifnet@interfaith.org.uk www.interfaith.org.uk <file:///\\www.interfaith.org.uk> Equality and Human Rights : funding Subject: Latest on the Commission's Funding Programme for Voluntary and Community Sector Friday 8th May 2008 Please note that the deadline for applications is 12th June. Please pass this information on as you think fit. Dear Colleague Commission announces £10 million funding programme for voluntary and community sector The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) today announced a new £10.2 million Strategic Funding Programme, providing three-year project-based funding of up to £450,000 for community and voluntary sector organisations. A first priority area will fund organizations providing guidance, advice and advocacy services in areas including education, health and employment, as well building capacity where there are gaps in local provision, for example for women who have experienced violence. A second priority area will support increased co-operation between groups -- including ethnic or religious communities -- in areas where there are known tensions. A third priority area is support for legal advice and awareness of legal rights. This will operate as a separate Programme which is expected to launch in June. The Commission is particularly keen to fund activity that directly serves and involves individuals and local communities, that meets an unmet need, and that has the potential to inspire and inform longer-term activity that helps promote the Commission's objectives. The new funding programme builds on the Commission's 2008-09 interim programme, and is at the core of a soon to be launched three year strategy which will set out the Commission's vision of a Britain built on principles of fairness, equality and respect. A series of local funding surgeries, providing information, advice and guidance to those voluntary and community organizations that wish to apply for the funding will be held across the nine English Regions, Wales, Scotland and from 18 May - 3 June 2009. The deadline for applications for strategic funding is 5pm, June 12, 2009. Results from the first tranche of applications will be announced towards the end of July 2009. The programme includes a simplified two stage application process to reduce paperwork and bureaucracy and ensure that applications that don't meet the Commission's criteria are identified at an early stage. Improved monitoring will ensure value for money throughout the lifetime of each funded project. Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: "In tough economic times, people who are on the sharp end of discrimination and inequality are more in need of support than ever. Community organisations that give people skills, support and access to opportunity play a vital role in keeping communities together, building the strong, prosperous and inclusive Britain we all want to see. "Through supporting this vital grass roots work, which is often under-funded and under-appreciated, the Commission will make a daily, tangible, and invaluable impression on the lives of thousands of individuals." Full details, as well as guidance notes and the outline proposal form will be available in a full range of accessible formats at www.equalityhumanrights.com/funding <http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/funding> from 8th May. We hope that you find this of use. Please feel free to circulate to colleagues and anyone who may be interested in the programme. Yours sincerely, Jackie Beer Head of Stakeholder Relations Equality and Human Rights Commission 3 More London Riverside, Tooley Street SE1 2RG Email: stakeholders@equalityhumanrights.com <mailto:stakeholders@equalityhumanrights.com> Web: www.equalityhumanrights.com <http://www.equalityhumanrights.com> Pandemic Flu guidelines and FCCC minutes (an update from the Secretary of the NBO) Dear Everyone, I am sending you details of advice (adapted from advice originally publicised by the Hindu Forum of Britain), concerned with the risks of the transmission of swine flu at meeting places. This advice therefore varies slightly from that in the leaflets which have been sent to every home. The text of this advice is available from the NBO website at http://nbo.org.uk/home.htm <http://nbo.org.uk/home.htm> , on the Resources button on the left hand side. Further advice that I have seen suggests that handwashing should be practised a minimum of 10 times a day, and it is important to dry the hands thoroughly, preferably on a disposable towel, as pathogens are more likely to survive if the hands are not well dried. Although the impact of swine flu on this country has so far not been serious, attack rates of between 25 and 50% are possible, especially as we approach the coming winter, the traditional influenza season. It is as yet too early to know what the mortality pattern will be but it is entirely possible that it will be unlike that to which we are accustomed, (affecting mainly the frail and elderly), and that it may therefore have a much higher impact on the working population, including healthcare workers. The impact of anti-viral tablets when used on the large-scale is entirely unknown. Without being alarmist, it is possible is that we are seeing the start of something quite unlike anything that we have experienced for generations. We therefore have a responsibility to minimise the risk of transmission, having regard to all sections of the community. Further information is available on the links which are included at the bottom of the website article. With all good wishes, Sally Masheder, Secretary of the Network of Buddhist Organisations From: Warwick Hawkins Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 1:59 PM Subject: Pandemic Flu guidelines and FCCC minutes Dear FCCC members, If an influenza (flu) pandemic happens in the UK, everyone will need to play a part in managing how it affects our society. At such a time, faith communities have an important role to play in victim support. Strong leadership from faith communities is vital when large scale incidents trigger concerns about social cohesion. Moreover, large scale fatalities raise specific issues for faith communities that need to be addressed. Communities and Local Government has now re-issued a document, Faith Communities and Pandemic Flu: Guidance for faith communities and local influenza pandemic committees, which is intended to provide valuable guidance on the faith dimension of a flu pandemic. It provides tools and a roadmap for good practice, and should be read alongside the more general emergency planning guidance Key Communities, Key Resources: Faith Communities and Civil Resilience. (June 2008) Both documents can be found at this link - http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/influenzapandemic . The revised guidance (May 2009) updates previous guidance (issued June 2008) on the same issue. As you know, it was initially drafted by a working group of the Council under the chairmanship of John Devine, along with representatives of the Church of England, Methodist Church, British Muslim Forum, Hindu Council UK, Sikhs in England, Agency for Jewish Education and the Inter Faith Network for the UK. The revised version has been drawn up over several months and in consultation with the FCCC working group and with other Government Departments including Cabinet Office and the Department of Health. Certain sections, for instance on infection control, have been updated to bring them into line with the latest Department of Health guidance. Although the guidance has not been developed as a direct response to the present outbreak of swine flu in Mexico and elsewhere, the current situation may make it particularly relevant to those to whom it is aimed. I also attach, for your information, the minutes of the last full FCCC meeting. We are about to embark on the review process and will be in touch about this in due course. In the meantime, please let me know if there are any issues you would like to raise at the 9th June meeting. <<Minutes of the 10th Meeting - FCCC - 160309 - FINAL - YPB.doc>> Best wishes, Warwick (Secretary) Warwick Hawkins Head of Faith Communities Engagement Cohesion and Faiths Division Communities and Local Government 020 7944 0530

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