Faith communities around the world share common values of addressing poverty, caring for the earth and peace building, said Pandit Roopnauth Sharma, president, Hindu Federation.

"Now, at this crucial time in our collective history, we should be asking our elected leaders at Federal and Provincial governments to ensure their actions reflect these same values," he said last week at a meeting of interfaith leaders.

Rev Dr Karen Hamilton, general secretary, The Canadian Council of Churches, announced the official establishment of the 2010 Interfaith Partnership "as the body that, along with the University of Winnipeg, is hosting the 6th annual Interfaith Leaders' Summit to address global poverty, care for our earth and invest in peace."

The summit will meet at the University of Winnipeg June 21-23, just before the G8/G20 meetings in Huntsville and Toronto.

The initiative has membership from many of the various faith traditions and partners - Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Baha'i, Aboriginal - and many of the denominations of Canada.