WHY A SIFRE FORUM OF FAITHS In 2002 SIFRE reorganised its structure. It replaced its large Inter-faith Council with a small Board of Trustee Directors. At the same time, it proposed the formation of a Forum of Faiths. So far the Forum has met to discuss topics such as “What do the Faiths teach about Democracy, ...about Justice, ...about Health ...etc. The Board of SIFRE has recently decided that the Forum of Faiths should be established on a permanent basis in line with their original intentions. It is intended that the Forum of Faiths becomes a channel of communication between the statutory bodies and the faith communities as well as providing an ongoing link between the faith communities. This is a natural development for inter-faith work in Suffolk and is also totally in line with the vision of a recent document published by the Department for Communities and Local Government – “Face to Face and Side by Side”. (see www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/facetofaceframework) We hope that you will support SIFRE’s proposal: That a Forum of Faiths be formed. · The Forum of Faiths will meet formally as a consultative body 3 times a year. · The Forum can arrange other activities in line with SIFRE’s objectives. · Each Affiliate Faith Group will be asked to nominate two representatives to attend the Forum of Faiths (who may send substitutes to meetings if necessary). · The Faiths Officers will be responsible for the coordination of the Forum of Faiths · The Executive Officer will be responsible for providing support services to the Forum of Faiths · In the first instance the Chairman of SIFRE will chair the Forum. Subsequently the Forum of Faiths may choose to appoint its own chairman. SIFRE has two Faiths Officers; Anne Spalding who concentrates on liaising with the statutory and voluntary sectors and Vinaya Kulkarni who is our main contact with the faith communities. We hope that through them and through your representatives, we will be aware of any issues which need to be brought to the attention of the Forum and, when appropriate, to the attention of the statutory bodies.
SIFRE FORUM OF FAITHS – WEDNESDAY 22^nd OCTOBER 2008 The Faith Groups of Suffolk have been invited to the REBIRTH OF SIFRE’S FORUM OF FAITHS. Each group has been asked to appoint TWO representatives who will be interested in attending the FORUM which will normally meet 3 times a year. This first Forum which was publicised in our Autumn Programme is open to all Members, Associates and Affiliate Groups of SIFRE and it would be good if you are able to be present at our first meeting on Wednesday 22^nd October at 7:00pm. This will be held in the new Waterfront Building of University Campus Suffolk. Light refreshments will be available from 6:30pm and those who attend will have an opportunity to look round the new building (there will be guided tours). Registration will take place from 7:00pm and the meeting will start at 7:30pm. We intend to finish at 9:00pm. FORUM OF FAITHS – 22^nd OCTOBER 2008 – DRAFT PROGRAMME Venue – The Waterfront Building, UCS
6:30pm to 7:30pm	Tours of the New Waterfront Building of UCS
7:00pm	Registration and Refreshments
7:30pm	Forum of Faiths Meeting in the Board Room of UCS Chaired by Martin Spettigue (Chairman of the Board of SIFRE)
	Welcome to UCS
7:40pm	Introduction – Martin Spettigue
7:45pm	What is the Forum of Faiths for? David Capey (Hon Executive Officer of SIFRE) What it means to us Nikki Young (Suffolk County Council) Jenny Fisher (NHS Suffolk)
8:05pm	The SIFRE Staff Anne Spalding, (Faiths Officer to the Statutory Sector) Vinaya Kulkarni, Faiths Officer to the Faith Communities Cynthia Capey (Education and Training Officer)
8:10pm	Open discussion Representatives are invited to share their hopes and concerns with the meeting
8:50pm	Dates of future meetings Suggested dates 25^th February 2009, 24^th June 2009 and 21^st October 2009 Extra meetings may be called if issues of concern to all arise.
9:00pm	Conclusion