Interfaith Council of Peel, Ontario, Canada (referred as ICP), held their 2022 Annual Members Meeting in Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Temple ofToronto on November 16^th. This meeting was conducted offline and online with discussions on the current development trends of various religions and social phenomena after the epidemic. A total of 15 religious groups and associations attended. Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie expressed her affirmation of ICP's work in the video.

At the beginning of this meeting, the Abbess of FGS Toronto,Venerable Chueh Fan, read out Land Acknowledgement on behalf of all attendees.  Many large Canadian events or meetings begins with this acknowledgement to acknowledge and show gratitude to the people of this land. At the same time, this also awakens everyone to be proactive about building respectful, harmonious relationships. 

Ms. Debbie Robb, representative of the Peel District Community Partnership Department, attended and commended ICP for its contribution to community development. Mayor Bonnie Crombie also pointed out in the congratulatory video that religious belief and love are the key to a harmonious community and are the social values we need to maintain.  She also called on everyone to support the Mississauga Food Bank. 

The delegates then held online and offline group discussions on the topics of "how to strengthen the recruitment of the younger generation to join various religious groups” and "how to strengthen schoolchildren's social interaction ability after the epidemic".  At the offline discussion site, led by theChristian pastor Joanne Hedge, the co-chair of the meeting, and representatives of Judaism, Christianity, Bahá’í Faith, and Buddhism all spoke to, "It isa common problem that young people do not join religious groups; coupled withCOVID-19 during the epidemic period, the way people interact with each other has changed, and the way of thinking and opinions has been deeply influenced by the media. People lack the patience and openness to understand the nature of people and things.  Therefore, we must start from life and education, and pay attention to the psychological education and counseling of school children.”

Three conclusions were also drawn from the online discussion, suggesting that various religions should strengthen mutual visits to enhance understanding, promote school visits to religious groups at all levels, and plan Interfaith Festivals, which will help young people understand religion. 

Translated by Ben Fung