Historical context: Buddhist Council of Wales; Rhodri Morgan comment on Faith Communities Forum

The Buddhist Council of Wales was created at the request of the Welsh Government so that there was a formal organisation that could represent Buddhists in Wales. Buddhism is one of the nine major religions in Wales and it is growing in popularity. The Welsh Government’s response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11 was to ensure that there was a healthy dialogue between the divers religions in Wales. The Interfaith Council for Wales was established, from which representatives of each religion meet with the First Minister and other politicians in the Faith Communities Forum. The Buddhist Council of Wales has upheld this commitment to the Buddhist of Wales and ensured their representation since 2004. To continue this important work active members are urgently needed to get involved.

“Wales takes great pride in being a tolerant society with long-standing multicultural and multi-faith traditions which are by now deeply engrained in many of our communities. Events happening elsewhere in the world can often bring problems and tensions to the surface and the Faith Communities Forum can then provide a valuable mechanism for dialogue and close co-operation between the different faiths in Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government and political parties.

Set up in the wake of the terrorist attacks of 9/11, it has played an important role in promoting better understanding and respect between communities. It also plays a key role in addressing issues of common interest and I value greatly the contribution made by the Forum to issues which have an impact on religious communities themselves and on the wider health of good community relations in Wales.”

Rt Hon. Rhodri Morgan AM, First Minister for Wales 2000-2009

(Quotation link: http://www.cytun.org.uk/interfaithwales/interfaith_eng_home.html)