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Academic provides leadership in faith for peace
RMIT University academic, Professor Desmond Cahill, has become one of
Australia’s top religious leaders with his election as Deputy Moderator-General of
the Asian Conference of Religions for Peace.
Professor Cahill, Professor of Intercultural Studies in the School of Global Studies,
Social Science and Planning, was elected to the post at the organisation’s
conference in Manila.
He is deputy to Moderator-General Dr Din Syamsuddin from Indonesia, while
Secretary-General is Dr Sunggon Kim, a member of the South Korean Parliament.
The Asian Conference of Religions for Peace (ACRP) has 18 member nations,
which represent more than half of humanity. It is the largest interfaith organisation
in the Asia-Pacific region, with its headquarters in Seoul.
It brings together all the principal religions of Asia – Buddhist, Baha’i, Christian,
Confucian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Shinto, Sikh, Tao, Zoroastrian and others.
The President of the Australian chapter of the World Conference on Religion and
Peace, the world’s major interfaith organisation, Professor Cahill said his election
was an honour not only for himself, but Australia, too.
“As Deputy Moderator-General I will be part of setting the agenda and plans for the
organisation over the next five years,” he said.
Professor Cahill also led Melbourne’s successful bid to host the Parliament of the
World’s Religions next year, and is Director of the Melbourne Program Committee,
responsible for the 510 sessions during the week-long event.
To be held at the new Melbourne Convention Centre in December 2009, the
meeting will bring together religious and civil leaders from at least 80 countries.
For interviews: Professor Desmond Cahill (03) 9925 4981 or 0439 995 761.
For general media enquiries: RMIT Media and Communications, David Glanz,
(03) 9925 2807 or 0438 547 723.
5
December, 2008
NEWS 
