Multifaith Service celebrating 40 years of USQ 2007
The project "Multifaith Service, giving thanks for forty years of USQ" was initiated, organised and conducted by the USQ Multicultural Centre. The main program – Multifaith Service Celebrating 40 years of USQ took place on Wednesday, 7 March 2007 at USQ Quadrangle of Toowoomba campus from 12:30 – 2:00pm.
The intention of the project was to include multifaith and multicultural activities to celebrate USQ's forty years and the University's cultural and religious diversity. The main focus of the program was a multifaith service at the beginning phase of the celebrations of forty years of USQ on the university grounds with invitation to all major local religious leaders. One of the aims of the project was to bring USQ and the Toowoomba and Darling Downs region closer through co-operation on activities celebrating USQ's 40th birthday.
In order to prepare the service the following activities took place:
• Informal meeting of local religious leaders and staff of the Multicultural Centre to discuss the program and involvement of the leaders;
• Working with the religious leaders to draft program of the inter-faith service and major organisational issues;
• Establishment of working party dealing with organisational issues.
Prayers were performed by religious leaders and representatives of the region.
At the completion of individual prayers all religious leaders and representatives completed a combined prayer in their own traditions for the future of the University.
The program was well organised and the level of cooperation between all religious leaders was very high. Smaller than expected was participation of students and staff but community members were in attendance as well as a representative of the Queensland Government.
The program attracted the attention of the media – the service was reported by TV (Channel WIN), The Chronicle newspaper, radio and a number of photographs were taken to document the event.
The organisers received a number of positive comments about the program.
Program Multifaith Service
For more information please contact William Conwell, Manager, Multicultural Centre, telephone +61 7 4631 1678.