Reflections

By Justin Velez

Working at the Three Faiths Forum has been a thoroughly unique experience, not only because it was while I was abroad in London, but because of the exciting and important nature of the work I was doing.  Few students can say they had the opportunity to see Ambassadors from 60-70 countries, the consultant to the World Economic Forum, and the Archbishop of Westminster speak at St. James's Palace on only their second day on the job.  Few students have the opportunity to do habitat restoration in a cemetery while simultaneously participating in a cross-dialogue experience.  Few students have such freedom to choose what they want to work on in a job setting that relate to their own personal interest and career goals.

The interns and full time staff were all so helpful and welcoming that I instantly felt comfortable within the organization.  Coming from an American working experience where structurally organizations tend to be extremely hierarchical, it struck me how personable the organization is, from the highest management positions to the average intern’s position.  This inborn organizational equality serves to fulfil part of the office mission at Three Faiths Forum, which sees the office as an important test arena for inter-faith dialogue.   Casual office discussion offered valued insight into different worldviews.  I got to learn more about Islam and more interestingly, about Sikhism which I knew nothing about.

My enthusiasm about working at the Three Faiths Forum was centred on the fact that as an intern, I had the unusual opportunity to have an active role in participating in interfaith work.  I was most thrilled by the opportunities for field work, going out to interfaith events such as ARTIFICE and MuJu, as well as attending government buildings for talks on faith.

I arrived at the Three Faiths Forum with the hope of broadening my perspective of the world (and the people and cultures within it) and with the intent of discerning what drew me to the field of inter-religious dialogue.  What I got was that and more.  I developed personal connections that when I leave London, I will be able to look back with warmth and admiration.