Freedom of Religion and Belief in the 21st Century
The Commission has commissioned the Australian Multicultural Foundation, in association with RMIT University, Monash University, and the Australian Partnership of Religious Organisations, to prepare a report on Freedom of Religion and Belief in the 21st Century.
They will work with Islamic faith communities, as well as other interfaith, faith and civil society organisations, to record their concerns and gather ideas to build a socially cohesive and harmonious society.
The project will produce a major report on these issues which includes:
- demographic information about the size, spread, growth and location of religious groups in Australia
- recommendations for promoting freedom of religion and belief, including secular belief, in Australia
The research will examine whether cultural rights and beliefs are impinging on human rights; look at the connections between religion, political and cultural aspirations; and assess whether new technologies are changing the role, practice, promotion or evolution of religious belief and behaviour.
The report will also outline recent changes to the law in Australia and whether they have had an impact on freedom of religion and belief and cultural identity.
This research project will build on issues raised in the Commission’s 1998 report, Freedom of Religion and Belief; the 2004 report ‘Cultural Diversity and Safeguarding Australia’, produced by the Australian Multicultural Foundation; the preliminary findings of the state and national Muslim youth summits (due to end in June 2008); and recommendations from the national conference of Australian Imams.
The project began in December 2007 when the Steering Committee for the project met for the first time. A final report is expected to be released in 2010.
Find out more in 
PDF [18 KB] or in 
Word [31 KB] about the project or send us an email to register your interest.
Call for submissions and Discussion paper - 17 September 2008
The Commission launched a discussion paper and a call for submissions
- Media Release - Like oil and water? - Religion and human rights in Australia (17 September 2008)
- Read the Freedom of Religion and Belief in the 21st Century Discussion Paper
- Click here to find out how to be involved in the project
Launch - 17 September 2008 (Old Parliament House, ACT)
Tom Calma, National Race Discrimination Commissioner, and Laurie Ferguson, Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, will co-launch the discussion paper that will guide that national call for submissions and consultations.
Photo Gallery
- Freedom of Religion and Belief Steering Committee Meeting 13 Dec 2007
