Faiths Act

The University of Western Australia has become the first Australian University and the fifth in the world to partner with the Tony Blair Faith Foundation Faith and Globalisation Initiative.

The Initiative is a global network of universities committed to exploring the complex interrelationship of faith and globalisation in the modern world. It seeks to provide current and future leaders with the tools and analysis to understand the important role religion plays in the modern world.

The UWA Religion and Globalisation Initiative is a cross campus, multi-disciplinary project offering an intellectually rigorous, critical examination of the role of religion, faith and secularism in today’s world. The Initiative includes undergraduate, postgraduate, campus community and public education elements.

Tony Blair has expressed his vision for the Faith and Globalisation Initiative,

“ No leader – political or economic, current or emerging – can now afford to be ignorant about religion and how it motivates people. This is why we have established a Faith and Globalisation Initiative. It brings together a network of leading universities across the world, to help us understand how different religions interact with each other in different societies and parts of the globe.”

He also articulated his excitement at the unique contribution the University of Western Australia can bring to this initiative,

"I would like to welcome the University of Western Australia into the Tony Blair Faith Foundation’s Faith and Globalisation Initiative.You are the first university from Australasia to join the network and we are very excited about the unique contributions and fresh perspectives that you will bring to the course. With your multi cultural, multi faith community, excellence in research and teaching, strong links in the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific region, and expertise with indigenous communities we are looking forward to working with you to develop the program. I am eager to see the “Religion and Secularism in a Global World” undergraduate course develop, and look forward to meeting you all."

The team at the University of Western Australia are also looking forward to joining the initiative and welcome the new opportunities this will offer their students.

Professor Alan Robson, Vice-Chancellor of The University of Western Australia said,

"We are delighted to be joining the network of global universities working with the Tony Blair Faith Foundation offering courses in this area. This too will allow our students to engage in global conversations with other students across the world as part of their University experience. We will add to this endeavour with our unique perspectives given our geography and the particular expertise of our scholars."