Charter

Given that human behaviour sometimes strays from these core values, the Foundation is committed to promoting a greater awareness of the common values that unite all Australians, and the capacity of each individual to make a real difference.

The Together for Humanity Foundation will provide an enjoyable positive opportunity for children to engage with those perceived to be different from themselves.  Children will be invited to join in a partnership of action on the common values of all people, fostering greater inter-faith harmony and the practice of goodness and kindness.
 

Aims of the Foundation

1. To motivate school aged students to engage in behaviour consistent with values common to all people, including but not limited to those who practice Christianity, Islam, Judaism and other belief systems, most significantly the values of respecting the dignity and needs of all Australians, the practice of peace and harmony, goodness and kindness.

2. To foster harmony between different segments of the Australian population, particularly people of different faiths.  To raise awareness of the harm, injustice and unreasonableness of all forms of prejudice thereby leading both school students and adults, with or without direct influence on children, to greater acceptance of, and empathy with, people different to themselves.

The Approach: equal partnership, religious sensitivity and accountability

1. Representatives of participating faiths interact with each other and make decisions as equal partners, putting their words into action, thereby acting as role models of respect, harmony and kindness.

2. Representatives of the Together for Humanity Foundation, audience members, and host institutions have their beliefs and religious sensitivities respected in all activities.

1. Representatives of the Together for Humanity Foundation shall not engage in proselytizing or in any way advocate for any faith beyond the encouragement of the practice of inclusion and kindness.

2. No activity is to be conducted or decisions are to be taken that might compromise the religious or ethical standards of the participating faiths as understood by the senior representative of that faith on the executive or the board.

3. The board is to consider appointing a Council of Trustees who will approve all major decisions to ensure that no activity or decision is taken that might compromise the religious or ethical standards of the participating faiths as understood by the Council.  Examples of such decisions would include, but would not be limited to, questions of content of presentations and acceptance of sponsorship from companies with whom a relationship could be compromising for members of participating faiths.  Membership of the Council of Trustees would consist of one representative from each religion who is either the senior educator from that faith working in the schools and/or board members with a strong connection to the faith community which he or she represents.

4. Presenters will affirm and respect each other when asked about their views about the other participating faith communities.  The presenters will discuss and agree to consensus answers to anticipated questions relating to grievances.

3. Children will experience the learning rather than hear about it, maximizing the educational benefit.

4. The project is to be a model of best practice in terms of accountability and transparency.  Its outcomes will be thoroughly evaluated; its processes transparent and open to review.