Faith groups in Edinburgh, the Scottish capital, are preparing to join together for a series of city-wide events for the forthcoming Inter-Faith Week.

Organisers, the Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association, hope that the varied programme will bring the faith groups closer together as they learn more about each other through lectures, screenings and conferences.

Victor Spence, general secretary of the Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association, said in The Scotsman: "People of faith and of no faith have the opportunity this coming week to get to know each other better.

"Such engagement will inevitably lead to better relations in our immediate local community as well as across the city at large."

The programme includes dialogues, panel discussions, lectures, forums, focused events for women and events aimed at youth.

The week will also see a special event focused on tackling child poverty while another will help to raise awareness and funds for homeless and socially excluded young people.

The Inter-Faith Week is supported by Edinburgh's famous Filmhouse Cinema and is sponsored by the City of Edinburgh Council and The Scottish Executive.

Rev Prof Frank Whaling, President of The Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association and Emeritus Professor of the Study of Religion at Edinburgh University, is the keynote speaker for a series of inter-faith dialogues at the Balerno Parish Church, just one of many churches in the city hosting events as part of the week.

The Inter-Faith Week kicks off this Sunday and runs until December 3.