Parliament of the World’s Religions Returns to Chicago Largest Global Gathering of Interfaith Leaders
The Parliament of the World’s Religions, the largest gathering of interfaith leaders in the world, will return to Chicago this summer from August 14-18. Founded here in Chicago in 1893, the Parliament of the World’s Religions is the preeminent conference that brings together leaders and followers of all religious faiths to work together toward a common goal.
This year’s theme is A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom and Human Rights, with a specific focus on fighting authoritarianism around the world. The speakers, panels and programs will focus on topics related to social justice, including climate change, human rights, food insecurity, racism, women’s rights and more.
“In Chicago in August we will take a stand for the rights we’re all at risk of losing,” said Rev. Stephen Avino, Executive Director of the Parliament of World’s Religions. “Our goal is to snapshot this moment in history with as much religious, economic, and cultural diversity as we can to embody a vision of a world that upholds democracy, human rights, and freedom for all of us.”
The program at the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions brings together faith and religious leaders, academic and industry experts, and institutions and grassroots organizers committed to interfaith dialogue and action.
Speakers and presenters at the Convening include leaders of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Baha’i, Hinduism, Jainism, Paganism, Sikhism, Indigenous religions and more.
“Every faith has at its core a summoning to ease the suffering of others and to contribute to a just, peaceful and sustainable world,” said Rev. HPs. Phyllis Curott, Program Chair for the 2023 Parliament. “Our call to conscience is to people of faith and spirit to stand together in defense of the dignity, freedom and human rights of all.”
Tickets are available to the public to attend the four-day conference, with an anticipated 5,000 to 10,000 guests from around the world including the key leaders in their respective religions and educational fields. Along with the conference festivities, the nonprofit organization has planned a public Parade of Faiths, a pre-Parliament event that celebrates Chicago’s rich diversity with a parade of music, dance, and celebration.
This year celebrates 130 years of Parliament Convenings that have attracted participants from more than 200 diverse religious, indigenous, and secular beliefs and more than 80 nations to its international gatherings including the United States, Cape Town, Melbourne, Barcelona and Toronto. These Parliament Convenings are the world’s oldest, largest, and most inclusive gatherings of the global interfaith movement.
Throughout the rich history of the Parliament Convenings, numerous global leaders have addressed the attendees, such as His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, UN Messenger of Peace Jane Goodall, Nobel Peace Laureates Desmond Tutu and Shirin Ebadi, and President Jimmy Carter.
Source – Press Release
