Inter Faith Week - How Chaplains can get involved

14th November 2021

This year, Inter Faith Week will take place in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland from Sunday 14 to Sunday 21 November. The Week aims to strengthen inter faith relations and increase awareness and understanding – see https://www.interfaithweek.org/ for more information.

The Week is an opportunity for higher and further education chaplaincies to showcase their services, engage students from all faith and belief backgrounds, and encourage respect in their community.

Here are three of our most popular activity ideas for chaplaincies in universities and colleges – there are many more ideas for getting involved on our dedicated page: Higher and Further Education Chaplaincies - Resources - Inter Faith Week 

• ·   Hold an event such as a lunch which brings together different faith and belief societies and groups – you could even invite representatives from faith communities in your area or from your local inter faith group

• ·   Contact 3 or 4 places of worship of different faiths in your area and ask if they will provide short guided tours for small groups of staff and students during the Week (noting that not all faith and belief groups have a ‘place of worship’ or equivalent)

• ·   Arrange an inter faith discussion or panel on issues of particular current interest and concern, such as how to tackle climate change, hate crime, racial injustice, or domestic violence 

No matter what event you run, let us know at https://www.interfaithweek.org/submit to be eligible for a free pack with Inter Faith Week stickers, a poster, flyers, and a blank message card on which to share an Inter Faith Week message! You’re also welcome to use our free branding, available at: https://www.interfaithweek.org/resources/publicity-and-branding.

If you post about your event you can use #InterFaithWeek on any social media and tag @IFweek on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

If you would like to discuss your ideas with one of the team, you can contact us on 020 7730 0410 or by emailing ashley.beck@interfaith.org.uk.

Scotland: If you are a chaplaincy in Scotland, you may like to look up details for Scottish Interfaith Week, which is led by Interfaith Scotland. This year it is linked to COP26 in Glasgow and is therefore beginning earlier than usual on 31 October: https://scottishinterfaithweek.org/.