President Reports

President's Report (2017-2018) Cecilia Mitra

FABC President’s Report 2018 by Cecilia Mitra

One of our objectives was to increase the profile of Buddhism in Australia and to ensure that Buddhist views are considered by government and media on important matters.

Also, Internationally, we have increased our presence by attending Summits, Conferences and General Meetings in Sri Lanka, India, Singapore and Japan. This year, we have finally been officially recognised as a member of the World Fellowship of Buddhist.

 

 

Attendances and Meetings

  • Attended the Religious Freedom Review in WA on Feb 2018 with the Hon Philip Ruddock as chair on the adequacy of existing laws protecting religious freedom and intersection with other human rights.  The FABC made a written submission. Please see here for the FABC’s submission.
  • Attended the Federal Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, The Hon Alan Tudge MP’s Invitation to discuss the Government’s commitment in maintaining a successful multicultural society on 12 April 2018. Please see here for photos.
    • Called for an urgent meeting to address our concerns on the latest amendment to the MoR Labour Agreement and how it adversely affects Buddhist Ministers of Religion and Buddhism as a whole. The meeting on 16 October 2018 with Ms Samantha Patuto, Director West, Home Affairs and was attended by Ajahn Brahm ASA founding Chair, Ven. Hasapanna, ASA President and Bhante Bodhidhaja, visa secretary on behalf of the ASA and myself on behalf of the FABC. Ms Patuto has at our request kindly written a Report to address our concerns to the relevant Departments in Canberra.
    • Attended Faith Leaders’ forum on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) in October 2018
    • Benjamin Webster attended the Bahai 100 Anniversary celebration in NSW
    • Ven. Tenpa represented FABC at the Human Rights Committee Forum in Canberra in June 2018
    • Benjamin Webster also attended the APRO meeting at the Department of Home Affairs, NSW in October 2018
    • Tina Ng attended the ACU Parliamentary Breakfast Meeting in Oct 2018 in NSW

 

Representing the FABC internationally

  • Attended the 7th Buddhist Summit in November held in Sri Lanka in November 2018
  • Attended the IBC General Assembly on 10-12 Dec 2018 in New Delhi. Was appointed one of the Hon Secretaries of the IBC
  • Attended the WFB Conference in Singapore in Dec 2017

I attended the WFB Conference (on behalf of the BC NSW) with the intention to meet face-to-face with the Secretary and Committee Members of WFB and ask why FABC’s Application was still pending since 2010. Had discussions and follow-up emails with the Secretary General. In April 2018, we were accepted as a member of the WFB and this culminated in an Invitation to the FABC to attend the 29th General Conference in Narita, Japan by November of the WFB this year.

 

  • Kevin Dickson and I attended 6th International Buddhist Conclave Bodhgaya, Nalanda, Rajgir and Sarnath / Varanasi from 22nd August - 26th Aug 2018. This was followed by the IBC meeting in Delhi. Agenda improvement and preservation of the Holy sites in India.
  • Kevin Dickson attended the WFB Conference in Japan in Nov 18 on behalf of the FABC.

Public Statements and Submissions

  • Royal Commission Inquiry recommendations
  • Religious Freedom Review Feb 2018 statement
  • Made statement on Law Reform Committee on Law Reform Commission of WA's Invitation to Engage in Project - Legal Recognition of Sex and Gender Diversity
  • Adopted ASA Policy on sexual harassment
  • May 2018 Live Export Statement
  • Joint signatories with APRO on violence on religious places – Hindu Temple in NSW and Jewish synagogue

Vesak Message

PM’s Vesak Message from Mr Malcolm Turnbull

 

Other Matters – Fundamental Review

Brian White was commissioned by the FABC Committee at the last AGM to undertake community consultations and draft a Report to recommend proposals for the long- term sustainability, growth and future direction of the FABC. Brian’s has come up with a Draft Report which will be discussed at length by the next Committee.

Special Thanks

Finally, would like to thank to the 2017/18 FABC Committee with special thanks to: -

  • Mr Kevin Dickson (Secretary) and Mr Michael Wells (Treasurer)
  • The Australian Sangha Association especially Ajahn Brahm for the invaluable guidance and support;
  • Dr. Jake Mitra our IT and Media Coordinator
  • Mr Dennis Sheppard, Coordinator of our RMC and Mr Kim Hollow (FABC signatory RMC)
  • Mr Brian White for his work on the Review and Draft Report

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