Login
Events
Listed below are just a few of the OWW events taking part this year, view our full 2010 events calendar.
Like OWW? You may also be interested in these events...
Ubuntu: One World Family.
Global concerns of environmental justice and development permeate the conscience of all major world faiths.The role that faith communities play in communicating a message of social responsibility is great; when we look at responses to global inequalities and injustices across faiths, the common ground which binds humanity comes into sharp relief.
One World Week’s current 3 year project, ‘Exploring Ubuntu – One World Across Faiths’, funded by UKaid from the Department for International Development (DfID), aims to build upon OWW’s previous work in linking faith with global injustice issues, in developing a more inclusive approach to OWW events.
The word ‘Ubuntu', which we have chosen for our project title, is an ancient Bantu (Zulu) word which acknowledges the oneness of humanity, and the need for ‘active togetherness'.
‘Ubuntu' encapsulates the ethos of this project; that it is only through working across boundaries of culture and faith that we can build just and peaceful societies and a greener planet.
At OWW we believe that when people from diverse backgrounds come together and find they share in a common goal of global justice, lives are transformed and enriched. As part of the Ubuntu project we are in the process of compiling a series of resources on an Islamic response to hunger and poverty. These resources are aimed at Muslims and non-Muslims alike, for use at Muslim, Christian and inter faith events.
Visit our Islamic Perspectives page to download these resources.
We would like to thank the following organisations for working in partnership with us on the Ubuntu project:
• CAFOD
• Islamic Relief
• Islam Awareness Week
• Muslim Aid
• Members of the Interfaith Network
OWW became an independent Charitable Company at the beginning of 2006. It is a development education charity; it is non-political and non-sectarian. OWW's Vision, Mission and Aims emphasise the importance of working inclusively with everyone to address global and local challenges to achieve justice, peace and sustainability for all.
• please continue to check the website for updates on this project
• please do let us know if you would like to be specifically involved
• you may already be doing relevant work; you may consider attracting newcomers to your committees and events
Milind Kolhatkar, One World Week Chair, says:
‘These are exciting times for One World Week. We are well underway with the Ubuntu project, working with DfID in broadening the horizons of One World Week’s supporter base, with special focus on engaging UK Muslim communities. As part of this work we have recently published a range of online resources on Islamic perspectives on social justice issues, and tips on how to organise and participate in a successful One World Week inter faith event. We hope that in two years time there will be more experience of organising regular One World Week events within local faith communities and beyond.’
Some frequently asked questions
1. Why is OWW focusing on Islam?
It was decided that there should be a focus on one faith initially for this project. Since its origin, OWW has been associated with the Christian faith and many supporters organise events within the Christian Church. The obvious link should be the next largest faith group in the UK so Islam was chosen. Through raising awareness of how Islam tackles issues of poverty and injustices, it is hoped that an understanding of development issues will spread more widely throughout UK Muslim communities. It is also hoped that an understanding of an Islamic perspective will be spread to non-Muslims.
2. Doesn’t having a focus on Muslims exclude all other faith groups? Why is OWW not working with all faith groups?
OWW actively encourages people to work inclusively with all faith groups and none. The guidelines for inter faith work encourage all event organisers to involve more people from a range of faith backgrounds, and no faith background, in their events. There are many OWW groups that have been working at an inter faith level for a number of years, while there are others for whom it has not been a regular practice. Through focussing on gaining support for OWW from within UK Muslim communities, OWW has been engaged in a very fresh, newly emerging movement towards inter faith work. Our decision to focus on one faith group has been informed by both the desire to produce high quality material, and our limited capacity, which provides us with the time and resources only to cater to one faith group at present.
3. Why has OWW produced a range of resouces with an Islamic perspective?
In producing resources for this year, OWW has purposely included some resources that illustrate an Islamic perspective on social justice issues. It is hoped that these resources will:
1. provide a visual tool on an Islamic perspective, which can be used as a stimulus for discussion during Muslim OWW events
2. demonstrate to non-Muslims, an Islamic approach to social justice issues
3. provide a starting point for discussion on faith values, in both a Muslim and/or inter faith setting
4. provide the opportunity for non-Muslims to engage with a faith that is different from their own with the potential to find common ground and shared vision
4. What about people of no faith?
OWW events do not have to include a faith dimension. Many existing supporters have a no faith background and work alongside people who do have a faith background. The vision for OWW is for everyone to work across boundaries, so that all of us can make a difference in tackling world poverty and injustice.