Interfaith Festival in Melbourne, Australia Addresses Racism and Discrimination

On Sunday, 16 November 2025, dozens of individuals from various religions participated in the Victoria Interfaith Festival in Melbourne, Australia to explore the theme of racism and discrimination. The festival is a grass-roots community event which aims to bring together Victoria’s diverse faith communities.

The event was emceed by Clayton Williams, a member of the Executive team of the Hume Interfaith Network and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The Church also hosted one of the information booths.

In his introductory remarks, Clayton Williams commented, “As a society, we should celebrate our similarities, share our differences, and foster peace and goodwill to all.”

The festival included booths hosted by various religions, addresses by government and religious leaders, and interactive workshops. The overarching theme of the conference was that managing racism and discrimination are important in the world in which we live.

Vivienne Nguyen, Chairperson of Victorian Multicultural Commission, said, “This festival is fully for the head, the heart, and the soul. I hope that we find courage and wisdom at the forum and role model our leadership position against a backdrop of an unruly world.”

Lauren Matthews, Director of Programs for the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, shared in her keynote address, “We have the right to religious worship, observance, practice, and teaching. We need to make sure our own conduct does not take away the rights of others. And we should follow the Golden Rule to treat others as you would want others to treat you.”

This message corresponds with the teachings of Jesus Christ at the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:12), where He taught, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”

As a part of the festival, a multifaith art exhibition, entitled Flowers of Faith, was on display to bring together the world’s faith traditions in a powerful visual celebration of unity in diversity and the universal language of faith, beauty, and love. The artist, Reverend Bhakta Dasa, brought together an exhibition which consisted of twelve paintings, representing various religions.