// We are now using the LBFN blog to share information about our meetings, but you'll find details of past meetings below. //

The most recent meeting of LBFN was on Wednesday 12th May 2010 at the Sikh Central Gurdwara, Shepherds Bush.  As well as sharing news and ideas from across London, we heard from the British Transport Police on its Preventing Violent Extremism strategy.  Combating terrorism at a local level is a hot topic and, with people from a wide range of faith traditions and local public sector bodies, a good discussion took place.

On Tuesday 26th January 2010, the network met at the British Transport Police HQ in Camden and heard about BTP's neighbourhood policing. 

There are several events coming up this year, including Faiths in London’s Economy event on leadership in the autumn, a Faiths to Engage pilot survey of the contribution faith-based organisations make to community development in London, the development of Faith Trails in boroughs across London (initiated by South London Inter Faith Group) in time for the Olympics, the launch of Faiths Forum for London and the London Mayor's Interfaith Conference.

With the elections coming up, several resources were recommended:

Charity Commission – Charities and Elections http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/supportingcharities/elect.asp 

Church of England’s Archbishops’ Council, Mission and Public Affairs Division: Countering racist politics http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/socialpublic/urbanaffairs/crp/crp2010.pdf

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland – How to Plan a Hustings Meeting http://www.ctbi.org.uk/427 

LBFN is exploring possible links with other European multifaith networks.  A conference in Switzerland is taking place on 3-10th July 2010 and some of us hope to be there.  If you are interested in joining us, please contact the convener.

LBFN is also keen to explore academic links, particularly those relating to faith and civil society, faith and public policy. 

At our meeting on Tuesday 13th October 2009, we shared experiences on starting new borough-wide faith forums - top tips and things to avoid.  If you would like to talk to people who have been involved at the start of local faith forums, just get in touch with LBFN. 

We also heard from Duncan Green, Community Relations Faith Advisor for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games & Paralympic Games.

At our April meeting, we heard from those involved in initiatives in Barnet and Haringey and about the work in schools of the Three Faiths Forum.

Please contact the Convener if you are interested in coming along to our next meeting which is planned for the morning of Thursday 7th October 2010.