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Past events

Interfaith Dialogue Lectures

 Faith and the Democratic: 


The event, titled "Faith and the Democratic: Should faith-based traditions engage in politics?" was a series of four "Interfaith Dialogues" organized by the Bluestar Institute, the Dialogue Institute of Australia, and the Australian Centre for Christianity. These dialogues were hosted by Paul Bongiorno and featured panels comprising leaders from various faith traditions.Throughout the series, each panelist shared their perspectives on the topic under the guidance of the host. Following these presentations, there was a Q&A session that allowed the audience to engage directly with the panelists. The primary objective of these events was to provide a safe and open platform for dialogue and discussion regarding the intersection of faith, social justice, and reconciliation in the contemporary world.These dialogues offered a unique opportunity for participants to interact with and learn from faith leaders and thinkers, fostering a deeper understanding of how faith-based traditions can or should engage in politics and contribute to broader societal discussions and initiatives.

Soft Launch of Prof Ori Soltes' Book - "Between Thought & Action : An Intellectual Biography of Fethullah Gulen"

In early June 2023, the Bluestar Institute and the Dialogue Institute of Australia organized an event featuring Professor Ori Soltes to promote his book titled "Between Thought and Action: An Intellectual Biography of Fethullah Gülen." This event took place in Canberra on the evening of Wednesday, June 7th. During the event, Prof Soltes invited participants to engage in roundtable discussions and introduced a 'soft launch' of his book. This visit marked his return to Australia since his previous trip in 2017 when he interviewed local individuals whose insights became an integral part of the book.


Prof Soltes' work aimed to shed light on the success of Australia and New Zealand's social policies in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in multicultural societies. His book had two primary objectives: first, to delve into the life and thoughts of Fethullah Gulen, and second, to emphasize the positive impact of Gulen's educational and peace-building initiatives. The book also sought to debunk accusations against Mr. Gulen, portraying his efforts as dedicated to improving and saving the world from its darker tendencies.

The book featured insights gathered from over 70 interviews conducted over several years, demonstrating the commitment of individuals, both closely associated with Gulen and those more distantly inspired by his work, all striving to contribute to the betterment of humanity. This event provided a platform to discuss and celebrate the significant contributions of Fethullah Gulen and his peace-building initiatives.