THE SIKH PERSPECTIVE PRESENTED AT SOCIAL WORKERS AND RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY WORKSHOP

New York, NY: UNITED SIKHS made a presentation on Sikhism at a social workers and religious diversity workshop on March 24, 2006, which was organized by the Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY), in cooperation with UJA-Federation of New York, CAUSE-NY/Jewish Community Relations Council, and Columbia University School of Social Work. The workshop offered an educational program to help students of social work to understand and appreciate religious diversity.

Arvind Kaur, Third from the right side

The program covered theoretical underpinnings of religions and examples of actual situations and case histories were used to demonstrate how particular faiths are pertinent to social work. Arvind Kaur, Arvind Kaur, UNITED SIKHS’ Community and Multifaith Awareness project co-ordinator, made a presentation on the Sikh faith. Arvind Kaur’s presentation gave the students an insight into the principles of SEVA and how social work is considered to be a way to merge with the Almighty God.

“SEVA to Sikhs is serving God Himself and every Sikh prays to get a chance to serve humanity. Seva, is encouraged and practised in many ways through the medium of Sikh Gurudwaras and organizations,” she told the worskshop participants.

The workshop was told how religion and religious traditions help people define their being and how the program will help the future social workers identify themselves to these differences and be more culturally competent.

“This exposure will enhance the tolerance to ambiguity and thus expand the horizon of the students,” said Dr.Cheryl Franks, Prof. of Social work of Columbia University.

The workshop helped students increase their acceptance of a large variety of religions and understand how religion shapes the personality of man. UNITED SIKHS, which will be a part of this program on an ongoing basis, has proposed to ICNY to make Sikhism a part of the regular curriculum.

To read a previous Press Release on UNITED SIKHS’ Community and Multifaith Awareness event please click http://unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/COMVCE-09-12-2005-03.htm

Issued by:
Arvind Kaur
Project co-ordinator
UNITED SIKHS Community and Multifaith Awareness Directorate
1-888-243-1690

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