Stockport Inter-Faith Network - Aims of the Network

The Stockport Inter-Faith Network aims to promote mutual respect and understanding of all faiths, and work together to identify and support the needs of all faith groups in Stockport.

It aims to: 

1. Provide a respectful environment that encourages members from all faiths to take part.
2. Challenge and correct false perceptions presented by the media about faith groups
3. Promote the greater use of faith buildings by the whole community
4. Provide a Forum in which to meet leaders of different faiths in the area so that we can:
   • Get to know each other
   • Find out what are each others’ issues
   • Find out what the different faiths have in common – learning about our commonalities is the key to making an Inter-Faith Network work
   • Act as an 'ambassador for unity' for all the different faith groups and combat the insular thinking of ‘them and us’ and replace it with ‘we’
   • Build trust between different faith groups – this trust can have an effect on the wider community
   • Combat ignorance
   • Find out what faith groups are represented within Stockport
5. Promote an understanding of all faiths; celebrate diversity; and provide an environment where questions can be asked without giving offence
6. Have a prayer agenda
7. Provide a Forum to look at issues wider than ‘faith issues’ and work together to address issues that are important to the communities served by faith groups.  This will involve working not only with faith groups but also with partners such as the police, local council and health workers, cultural groups and community/voluntary groups.
8. Help to build peace in the community
9. Support the work of the Faith Representative on the Stockport Partnership Board by feeding in community views and shaping policy development