School Workshops & Events
WATAC offers workshops to High School groups on topics such as feminist theology, spirituality, inclusive language, images of God, women’s participation in church and society, feminist spiritual writers and thinkers. Schools can contact the administration officer to book one of the above workshops or to dialogue about other workshop possibilities for students in years 10 to 12.
WATAC also provides opportunities for senior students to listen to speakers, from other faith traditions as well as their own, speak on a variety of topics. In the past issues explored have been “Women’s Personal Faith Journey” and “ Women and Peace”. These forums are usually held twice a year at NSW Parliament House and include time for active questioning and dialogue with the speakers.
Senior students have the opportunity to attend the Annual WATAC Luncheon at NSW Parliament House where once again they are exposed to a variety of speakers and topics within this beautiful venue.
Upcoming Workshop
Wednesday 25th May 2011: Interfaith Dialogue - Women, Religion and Peace
Inter-Faith Dialogue in NSW Parliament House
On 9th November 2010 more than 120 students with teachers came to NSW Parliament House for the Interfaith Dialogue on Women, Religion and Peace to join in conversation with women members of the three different faith traditions who all worship and follow the tenets of the "God of Abraham".
Tamkin Ansari is an executive member of Affinity Intercultural Foundation and is involved with the Christian and Muslim youth from the Northern Beaches working on a six-month project aimed at getting the youth together to discuss faith and spirituality from their respective faith traditions. Tamkin explained how she had moved from being a fairly uncommitted Muslim to being a committed member of her faith group. In the immediate aftermath of September 11 Tamkin was inundated with questions from her non-Muslim friends and acquaintances, who expected her, as a Muslim, to be able to explain why this had happened. She, of course, could not explain the motivation for September 11, but she also realised she knew very little about her own religion.
Jacki Ninio became the third Australian born female Rabbi when she was ordained in 1998. She is a Progressive Jew and Rabbi at Temple Emmanuel and is interested in the interpretation of Jewish texts and liturgy. Peace is one of the most common words in the Torah and one of God's names, hence the greeting Shalom Aleychem – may God be with you. We heard from Jacki how in Judaism peace is a 'meta value' that goes over everything else, such as with the three pillars – Truth, Justice, Peace – it is peace that over rides all including truth and justice. She spoke of peace being about a wholeness and completeness for self and relationships with others: 'one must do all to build peace in your relationships with yourself and others'.
Jan Barnett represented the Christian and Catholic, tradition. She is a Sister of St Joseph, as well as a member of the WATAC Inc. Committee. For most of her religious life Jan has worked in secondary and tertiary education. She has a great passion for education and young people and has been a principal of a number of Catholic secondary colleges. Currently, Jan is the national chaplain for the Australian Young Christian Workers (YCW), which works to uphold basic human rights, especially the right to meaningful and just work. YCW educates for global awareness and solidarity.
The students' questions were both reflective and insightful. The process allowed our speakers to unwittingly demonstrate the respect they held for each other and each other's traditions. Not only did the forum give valuable input for their HSC preparation, it more importantly gave them the opportunity to witness faith filled people, who were each living out their passion for peace and justice in their lives and within their own faith tradition and spirituality.