World Labyrinth Day

The Interfaith Centre of Melbourne and the Janssen Spirituality Centre will present a Labyrinth Walk for World Peace on World Labyrinth Day, Saturday 2 May, at the Janssen Spirituality Centre, Boronia, Victoria from 1PM to 3PM. All are welcome to walk for World Peace.

Join thousands of people around the world participating in this moving meditation on the World Labyrinth Day for world peace. Walking the labyrinth is a practice for people of all world religions and philosophies. A labyrinth can be a walking meditation, a path of prayer and a mirror of the soul. A Labyrinth is used in hospitals and in educational settings.

If you are new to the labyrinth, Helen Summers, a Veriditas trained facilitator, will be available to guide you.

Tea, coffee and drinks available. Please bring an umbrella in case of a shower.

Free event. Donations welcome for upkeep of the Labyrinth.
Enquiries: Rev Helen Summers. Email: info@interfaithcentre.org.au

Event Details

Observance: WORLD LABYRINTH DAY
Program: Walk for Peace
Date: Saturday May 2, 2026
Time: 1pm – 3pm
Hosts: The Interfaith Centre of Melbourne and The Janssen Spirituality Centre
Location: Janssen Spirituality Centre
Address: 22 Woodvale Road, Boronia VIC 3155
More Information: Rev Helen Summers info@interfaithcentre.org.au

Women Walk For Peace Not Politics – Sydney, Australia

The Shared Future

First Nations National Walk for Truth

Uniting Church of Australia 5 Year Strategic Plan

With the 2026 year well underway, the Uniting Church in Australia has launched its new five-year strategy.

In the first of a series, Assembly General Secretary Andrew Johnson introduces Flourishing Faith – the first Strategic Goal and foundation for how we’ll grow, serve and journey together.

Read his full story here: https://lnkd.in/giB9JC9t

Escalating national climate of hostility in Australia

First Nations Survival Day: January 2026

January 26 holds different meanings across our community. For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it marks the beginning of dispossession and intergenerational trauma. For others, it’s a day of national celebration.

As we approach this date, the real question is how we move from understanding to action.

We’re hosting an ‘Australia Day Allyship’ webinar on January 22 because we believe workplaces have a role to play in this conversation. This session is about practical strategies for supporting Indigenous colleagues and communities during this time, navigating workplace conversations with respect, and showing up as an ally in meaningful ways.

Whether you’re leading a team, working in HR, or simply want to learn how to be an ally, we invite you to join us.

📅 Wednesday, January 22
⏰ 1:00 PM AEDT
⏱️ 60 minutes

🔗 Register now: https://bit.ly/3Nfkm9I

Survival Day: yarn with red dust

Join Red Dust Ambassador Dane Simpson together with artist and local role model Molly Hunt in a panel yarn hosted by mikaela simpson. See you next week for our first yarn of the year.

New Zealand passes legislation making animals sentient beings – moves towards legal personhood

New Zealand has formally recognized animals as sentient beings under the law, acknowledging that they can feel pain, stress, and emotions. The shift marks a major change in how animals are viewed within the country’s legal system.

Alongside this recognition, New Zealand has completely banned animal testing for cosmetic products. The law blocks the development, testing, and sale of cosmetics that rely on animal experimentation.

The move reflects a growing understanding that animal welfare is not just an ethical issue, but a legal responsibility. By embedding sentience into law, policymakers aim to ensure stronger protections and higher standards across industries.

The decision also signals a broader global shift. As science continues to confirm what many already believe, societies are being forced to reconsider how progress is measured — not only by innovation and profit, but by how compassion is extended to beings that cannot speak for themselves.

Movement Towards Legal Personhood

While full legal personhood for animals has not been granted at a national level, there is a growing conversation and some specific precedents have been set in New Zealand that are unique internationally: 

• Natural Entities: New Zealand has granted legal personhood status to several natural features, setting a precedent for expanding the scope of legal rights for non-human entities.
• Te Urewera forest was granted legal personality in 2014.
• Whanganui River was granted the rights and responsibilities of a human being in 2017.
• Mount Taranaki was similarly recognized as a living entity with legal rights in 2025.
• Whales and Dolphins Initiative: In 2024, leaders from indigenous Polynesian groups, including some in New Zealand, signed a treaty advocating for whales and dolphins to be granted legal personhood. This initiative aims to provide them with the right to a healthy ocean and freedom of movement. 

These developments show a progressive legal landscape where the concept of personhood is expanding beyond humans, fostering ongoing debate and incremental changes in the legal status of animals. 

World Hijab Day

Celebrating World Hijab Day®️ on February 1st is an opportunity for companies to align their values with their actions. By demonstrating solidarity with Muslim women and girls who face discrimination for wearing the hijab, businesses can contribute to a more inclusive society and reinforce their commitment to equality and respect for all individuals, regardless of their cultural or religious backgrounds. This participation not only enhances their public image but also reflects a genuine commitment to diversity and social responsibility.

👉 10 ways how your workplace can get involved in the 14th annual World Hijab Day®️: https://lnkd.in/e_YF-MmW

👉Find out how you and/or school can take part in World Hijab Day®️: https://lnkd.in/e_YF-MmW