A Global Interfaith Community of 10,000 to Convene in Toronto in 2018

As most religious traditions affirm, accumulating wealth does not bring happiness; rather, increasing inequality erodes the moral fabric of our societies. Religions also remind us to embrace lifestyles of simplicity, compassion, and generosity. They encourage us to engage in strategies of just distribution that uplift the common good and foster human flourishing.  Excerpt from Declaration on Income Inequality, 2015 Parliament of World Religions, Salt Lake City

Earth is one interconnected whole. What we do to the Earth, we do to ourselves. Earth is our home. We have nowhere else to go – and time is running out...Because the climate crisis is unprecedented in its scale and complexity, no single government, institution or religion can bring about the urgently needed solution. Action is needed at all levels: personal, local, national, regional, and international. Excerpt on from Declaration on Climate Change, 2015 Parliament of World Religions

Income Inequality, Climate Change, Hate Speech, War and Violence, Human Rights and Dignity of Women, Emerging Leaders and Indigenous People were the six major topics addressed at the 6th Parliament of World Religions in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2015.

These issues are sure to arise again at the 7th Parliament of World Religions in Toronto in November 2018.

 Toronto is considered the most diverse city in the world and is home to six million Canadians. "Nowhere is our diversity more evident than in the variety of places of worship you can find in communities across Toronto. These institutions are an integral part of the social fabric of our city . . . [and] our faith communities help build bridges of mutual understanding and make Toronto a welcoming place for people of all beliefs,” said Toronto Mayor John Tory.

More than 10,000 people from across the globe are expected toparticipate in the 2018 Parliament, which will last for seven days and comprise more than 500 programs, workshops, and dialogues, alongside music, dance, art and photography exhibitions, and related events presented by the world’s religious communities and cultural institutions.  

It is not too early to register for the event, which will be held at the Toronto Convention Center on November 1-7, 2018.