There is a new voice for interfaith dialogue and education in southern Manitoba.

The Pembina Valley Multifaith Council, an affiliate of the Manitoba Multifaith Council, has just been created.

A grass-roots movement started by local residents the Pembina Valley Multifaith Council was created to promote interfaith and multifaith dialogue and understanding, to educate the public about world religions and to promote collaboration amongst people of faith in order to foster goodwill and the well being of the community as a whole.

It includes faith community and affiliate members from Winkler, Morden, Carman, Altona and the surrounding communities.

Spokesperson Peter Cantelon says, "The seeds for the council came from Zahid Zehri, an active Community member and a member of Manitoba Islamic Association Pembina Valley Committee. Zahid called me and asked if I would be interested in helping develop a multifaith council and it grew from there."

The PVMC is launching with six founding board members from many different faith backgrounds including Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, and Christian. The council has a goal of having a board that is representative of the region's diverse faith groups and invites interested parties to contact them.

Belle Jarniewski, president of the Manitoba Multifaith Council, says, "The Manitoba Multifaith Council is thrilled to see this new affiliate develop from within the Pembina Valley and we're looking forward to offering guidance and mentoring as they develop. Any effort to develop and improve dialogue and understanding between faiths is worthwhile."

Over the coming months, the Pembina Valley Multifaith Council will meet with community stakeholders and leaders to refine its goals and objectives with the intent of offering and supporting community workshops and celebrations related to multifaith communication and education.