We call upon peoples of faith and conscience to stand for a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world and join thousands of interfaith activists from around the world at the 2018 Parliament of the World’s Religions, the oldest, largest, most diverse and inclusive global interfaith event.
For its 2018 theme, the Parliament draws from movements of goodwill and cross-cultural respect that are embodied in the spirit of the interfaith movement:
The Promise of Inclusion, the Power of Love
Pursuing Global Understanding, Reconciliation, and Change:
Expected attendance will exceed 10,000 persons of faith and conscience from 80 nations and more than 200 unique spiritual backgrounds. Parliament presenters include students, clergy, interfaith leaders, scholars, Nobel Laureates, mayors, spiritual luminaries, best-selling authors, globally-recognized entertainers, thought leaders, state actors, and indigenous spiritual leaders.
The Indigenous Peoples Program is a unique opportunity showcasing 60 workshops with international Indigenous spiritual leaders, thought leaders and women leaders in Indigenous Nations from Hawaii, Africa, and the Americas as part of The Parliament program. They will share traditional knowledge and ceremonies across a number of today’s pressing global issues of climate crisis, violence, repatriation of sacred property, protection of sacred homelands, women’s issues, economies, and prophecies leading the way forward.
Background:
In its 125-year history, the Parliament, as the largest interfaith global network, has never been to Canada. This year, Toronto plays host to 10,000 international guests from 80 countries representing over 200 faith traditions.
A Unique Opportunity to Share the Best of Our Knowledge Systems:
For the first time publicly, the Eastern Door of the Three Fires Midewiwin Lodge will join a public gathering to ensure the sacredness of the Sacred Fire in Olympic Park, and the sacredness of the Lodge of Nations as we move through our programming.
The Lodge of Nations:
The Indigenous Peoples program is centered around the Lodge of Nations, a beautiful Indigenous sacred space inside the Convention Centre that will be a home away from home to many Indigenous traditional leaders, Chiefs, Clan Mothers and Faith Keepers who carry sacred knowledge from the many indigenous spiritual traditions from around the world. It will be a place for ceremony, for tobacco offerings, pipe ceremonies and feasts from various Indigenous traditional societies. It will also be the centerpiece for the Water Ceremonies conducted by indigenous women. It will hold sacred items and bundles safely. As such, reverence of the sacred space and respect of certain traditional protocols must be adhered to at all times. The Lodge structure itself is designed to be an intermingling of designs of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the Anishinaabe people, two of the host Nations for the Toronto Parliament of the World Religions. The wisdom of Indigenous knowledge systems will be shared by spiritual leaders for guidance on the climate crisis, violence, women’s issues, water, repatriation of sacred property, protection of sacred sites, spiritual evolution, emerging economies, and next generation pathways to the future.
Certificate of Indigenous Cultural Awareness:
For the first time ever, attendees will be able to register for an 8-hour accredited Cultural Awareness Certificate offered on any combination of times during the conference. The certificate is being issued and accredited by First Nations Technical Institute. This opportunity will be a great asset to participants who are seeking to deepen their personal commitment to learning with the Indigenous peoples of the world and growing their contribution to Truth and Reconciliation. Registration is open to attend this 8-hour accredited program and the cost is $225.00 Canadian. https://parliamentofreligions.org/webform/2018-parliament-registration
Time Capsule for Seven Generations:
We are in the midst of designing a Time Capsule for our youth program built of ironwood and containing sheets of copper to hold the writing of prayers and wishes for the emergence of a new consciousness of peace in the next Seven Generations. To be opened in 2318, this legacy piece will be designed by Indigenous architects at Laurentian University. This unique time capsule will hold prayers for the evolution of a more peaceful, just and enlightened world mindful of Natural Law and universal values of spiritual laws. A mock model will be set up in the Indigenous Lounge near the Lodge of Nations.
There will be opportunities for all youth at the Parliament to add their hopes, prayers and wishes to the log bundle.
On November 6, the entire day of Parliament is dedicated to youth and is called Next Generation. Youth are planning their day including all panels, workshops, entertainment and a three-hour morning plenary session for all delegates.
