Hindu conference aims to strengthen bonds

HINDU COUNCIL OF NEW ZEALAND Incorporated

(Registered with Charities Commission Regd No: CC31281; Donee organisation status from IRD)

PRESS RELEASE
Hindu conference aims to strengthen bond amongst NZ communities

Programmes and activities such as national and regional conferences, youth and elders’ conferences, heritage camps, workshops and seminars, celebrations of festivals, Hindu-Maori relations all helped the Hindu community to develop good links and also to integrate well with the New Zealand Society.

Encouraged by the responses that received for the 1st and 2nd New Zealand Hindu Conferences, which were inaugurated by Hon. Prime Minister of New Zealand, and the Maori King, respectively, Hindu Council of New Zealand is now hosting the third conference on 1st and 2nd May 2010 at the Hindu Heritage Centre, Mangere, Auckland. The theme of the conference is "Sustaining New Zealand through strengthening bond amongst communities".

“We believe this conference will help in strengthening and organizing Hindu society through networking among Hindu organizations/ institutions/ associations/ temples and create a forum for their regular interaction to think about the future of Hindu Society in New Zealand” said Dr Guna Magesan, coordinator of the 3rd NZ Hindu conference.

The focus of this conference will be networking, whether it is with Maori community or general public, or government agencies, or Hindus from various countries, or the different schools of thought of Dharma, or with Hindu organisations, associations and institutions.

Some of the topics include:
• Understanding Māori, Hindu and New Zealand communities
• Developing relations and working with New Zealand Government agencies
o Health, Education, Social Development, Immigration, Police, and other Govt departments/agencies.
• Bridging the gap among Hindus in New Zealand coming from different countries
o India, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Malaysia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia, Mauritius, Caribbean, African countries, America and Europe.
• Strengthening bond among Bharatiya Dharma
o Sanatani, Jain and Sikh
• Working and understanding Dharma group
o Buddhist, Confucian, Hindu, Shinto and Taoist
• Strengthening bond among different schools of Hindu Dharma
o Shaiva, Vaishnava, Veershaiva, Sakta, Arya Samaj etc.
• Networking among Hindu organisations/ associations/ institutions
o Ramakrishna Mission, Chinmaya Mission, Sathya Sai Organisation, Art of Living Foundation, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Sewa International, Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation, Swami Narayan Sanstha, various Temples, linguistic, cultural and social organisations and associations in New Zealand.
• Integrating Hindu temples with Society

Mr Joris De Bres (Race Relations Commissioner, Human Rights Commission), Dr Rajen Prasad (ex- Chief Commissioner of the Families Commission and currently a Member of Parliament), Mr Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi (Member of Parliamentarian), Mr Pravin Patel (well known community leader) will chair some of the conference sessions.

The 3rd New Zealand Hindu conference will be interested to (1) all individuals who are committed to work for Hindu solidarity, (2) individuals who are committed to unity for Dharma people, (3) people of accomplishment and achievement, (4) academicians, industrialists, businessmen, professionals, parliamentarians, and media personalities, and (5) heads & representatives of Hindu organizations, associations, institutions and temples.

We are inviting Governor General, Hon. Prime Minister, Leader of Labour Party, Leader of Maori Party, Mayor of Manukau City, local Members of Parliament, and other dignitaries to attend the conference. We have confirmed participation from government agencies, professionals, university staff, business leaders, Maori elders (indigenous people), and community and youth leaders.

Registration fee for the two-day conference will be $50 per person. The fee includes registration pack, lunch, morning and evening tea on both days.

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