Berkley Center

During the Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, religious leaders from around the globe assembled in the Art Palace (today’s Art Institute) for the historic World Parliament of Religions in an atmosphere of acceptance and respect for all other religious traditions. Participants hoped that the development of interreligious understanding, charity, and compassion would bring an end to historic religious tensions and shape a healthy community of the world’s religions; this remains one of the most important goals of each later Parliament. At the second Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago in 1993, physicist Gerald Barney placed ecological concerns at the forefront of the agenda, challenging religious leaders of the world to bring their influence to bear to care for the earth and the entire community of life. The seventh Parliament met in Toronto from November 1 through 7, 2018, to explore the overarching theme: “The Promise of Inclusion, the Power of Love: Pursuing Global Understanding, Reconciliation, and Change.” Major threads included the indigenous peoples’ program, women’s dignity, interfaith understanding, the next generation, science and religion, justice, overcoming hatred and violence, climate action, and discussions towards a global ethic.

This week the Berkley Forum features reflections from Georgetown scholars who attended and presented at the 2018 Parliament in Toronto.