Archive for the ‘Partner Cities’ tag
Partner Cities Network Launches Peace Cities Initiative
PARTNER CITIES NETWORK
LAUNCHES PEACE CITIES INITIATIVE IN CONJUNCTION WITH
UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
September 1, 2010
Chicago, IL – September 1, 2010 – The Partner Cities Network of the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions is pleased to announce the launch of Peace Cities, a city-to-city interfaith networking opportunity for self-organized grass-roots interfaith groups, made available through PeaceNext.org.
The Peace Cities program recognizes the on-the-ground work of over 70 partner interfaith communities and their leaders who work to foster interfaith cooperation, peace, and social cohesion. It serves to connect cities around the world that have hosted interfaith events in cooperation with the Partner Cities Network and the Parliament of World’s Religions (Chicago, USA 1993; Cape Town, South Africa 1999; Barcelona, Spain 2004; Monterrey, Mexico 2007 and Melbourne, Australia, 2009.)
Cities that have earned the designation of Peace City are able to post news about local interfaith events and to share resources with other Peace Cities through PeaceNext.org. Peace Cities are eligible to apply to join the Partner Cities Network through a fast-track application process.
The Peace Cities launch coincides with PeaceWeek, a global telesummit for building a culture of peace. A co-production of The Shift Network and The Peace Alliance, PeaceWeek is being held in conjunction with the UN International Day of Peace on September 21. This conference will feature over 50 leading international peacebuilders, pioneers, and innovators, and offer opportunities for personal growth and collective change.
The Peace Cities program of the Partner Cities Network invites all to participate in PeaceWeek, a global telesummit for building a culture of peace. A co-production of The Shift Network and The Peace Alliance, PeaceWeek is being held in conjunction with the UN International Day of Peace on September 21. This conference will feature over 50 leading international peacebuilders, pioneers, and innovators, and offer opportunities for personal growth and collective change. To join the PeaceWeek global conversations, please visit, www.peaceweek.info. Registrants will be able to participate for free in an unlimited number of live discussions and receive free access to the full library of event recordings.
The Partner Cities Network is also proud to partner with Odyssey Networks in “A Million Minutes for Peace” campaign. Our goal is to collect one million pledges to pray for peace for one minute at noon on the UN International Day of Peace. Please watch the 60-second video, and join us by pledging your prayer for peace.
Contact: Zabrina Santiago
Deputy Executive Director & Partner Cities Director
Phone: (312) 629-2990 x. 235
zabrina@parliamentofreligiong.org
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About the Partner Cities Network
The Partner Cities Network seeks to build and connect the interreligious movement worldwide. It serves to create a global dynamic that will bind cities together and facilitates the sharing of best practices to inspire opportunities for cooperative action among cities. Partner Cities will soon launch collaborative programming and innovative resource sharing through online resource centers, quarterly webinars, and regional gatherings.
Currently six international cities form the growing network, with eight cities completing the application process in 2010. Cities currently designated as Partner Cities are Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cape Town, South Africa; Barcelona, Spain; Monterrey, Mexico; Melbourne, Australia and San Jose, California, USA.
About Peace Cities
Peace Cities is an initiative of the Partner Cities Network. It seeks to bridge self-organized grass-roots interfaith initiatives in cities around the world through the Council’s social media platform, PeaceNext.org.
Partner Cities to Co-Sponsor PeaceWeek
PARTNER CITIES NETWORK TO CO-SPONSOR
PEACEWEEK
A GLOBAL TELESUMMIT
September 14-21, 2010
Chicago, IL – September 1, 2010 – The Partner Cities Network of the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions, invites you to be a part of PeaceWeek, a global telesummit for building a culture of peace. A co-production of The Shift Network and The Peace Alliance, PeaceWeek will be held in conjunction with the UN International Day of Peace on September 21. This conference will feature over 50 leading international peacebuilders, pioneers, and innovators, and offer opportunities for participants to learn and dialogue with each other.
A celebration and exploration of all peace-seeking efforts, both individual and collective, PeaceWeek will unite peace leaders from around the world together for the largest virtual peace summit ever formed. The featured participants will address such issues as personal peace practices, global hotspots, social justice, and the economics of peace. The event will also host a Peace Day Council with the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers on a mission of peace.
To register for the summit and join the global movement of peace pioneers, please visit www.peaceweek.info. Registrants will be able to participate for free in an unlimited number of live discussions and receive free access to the full library of event recordings.
The Partner Cities Network is also proud to partner with Odyssey Networks in “A Million Minutes for Peace” campaign. Our goal is to collect one million pledges to pray for peace for one minute at noon on the UN International Day of Peace. Please watch the 60-second video, and join us by pledging your prayer for peace.
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The Partner Cities Network seeks to build and connect the interreligious movement worldwide. It serves to create a global dynamic that will bind cities together and facilitates the sharing of best practices to inspire opportunities for cooperative action among cities: www.parliamentofreligions.org.
New Multifaith Organization Forms to Support Partner Cities Initiatives
From The Examiner
Gathered at the historic Antioch Baptist Church in downtown San Jose last week, a group of local religious leaders took another step towards creating a new multi-faith organization in the South Bay.
The new effort will be called the Silicon Valley Interreligious Council and will involve people from the diverse religious communities of the South Bay in joint activities to build relationships, provide educational opportunities, and offer opportunities for cooperative action on behalf of the whole community of the South Bay.
At last weeks’ meeting, those present heard presentations from the Rev. Carol Hovis, Director of the Marin Interfaith Council, and from Rabbi Jay Miller, Director of the Peninsula Clergy Network. They represented two significantly different models for interreligious organizations.
Previously, the group had hosted the Rev. Brian Stein-Webber, Director of the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County, and Michael Pappas, Director of the San Francisco Interfaith Council, who was accompanied by board members Rita Semel and Jim DeLange.
Following an organizing meeting in May at the South Bay Islamic Association in San Jose, a planning team has been meeting regularly to work out the mission, objectives, and organizational structure of the Council. The twelve members of the planning team include Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Jewish, and Muslim participants along with people from Santa Clara University, Silicon Valley FACES, and the Santa Clara County Council of Churches.
One of the objectives of the new group will be to act as a coordinating point for activities related to Silicon Valley’s status as a Partner City of the Parliament of the World’s Religions.
The 2009 Parliament of the World’s Religions
Delegates of the 2009 Parliament of the World’s Religions in Melbourne, Australia:
This is you!
To all sponsors, speakers, performers, organizers and delegates, we offer the heartfelt thanks of the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions and all of our encouragement as you go forward to make a world of difference.
In the meantime, we hope to see you on PeaceNext, our official social network.
Please continue to visit our website, http://parliamentofreligions.org, for video, text, and photographic documentation of our Melbourne Parliament and details on developments to come!
What’s Next? PeaceNext
Every five years, the world’s greatest interreligious event welcomes thousands of people to see the world through different eyes. People of different faiths come together to learn, grow and celebrate their diversity. They realize that despite their religious differences, they share a similar calling to build a more just, sustainable and peaceful world. Friendships are made. Wisdom is shared. Lessons are learned. Souls are touched.
Why wait another five years?
The Council of the Parliament of the World’s Religions is pleased to announce the creation of PeaceNext, our very own social network that will bring together the global interreligious community in dynamic and far-reaching ways.
Share a reflection.
Post a photograph.
Pass along a link.
Celebrate your community’s accomplishments.
Share your city’s interreligious concerns.
Find a friend you met at the Parliament on the other side of the globe.
Meet a new friend who lives on the other side of town.
PeaceNext is not the Parliament, but it’s the digital extension of the event. Friendships are made. Wisdom is shared. Lessons are learned. Souls are touched.
Not every five years, but every single day.
The Center of Spiritual Enlightenment in San Jose
The Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions was proud to send representatives to the launch of the Center of Spiritual Enlightenment in San Jose, United States on November 12th. Board Chair Rev. Dr. William Lesher and Partner Cities Director Ms. Zabrina Santiago attended and spoke at the inaugural event, along with Mayor Chuck Reed of San Jose.
The Center offers worship services, adult education classes in spiritual philosophy and practice, healthy living, Hatha Yoga, retreats, leadership training, spiritual direction and counseling, children’s education and a thriving spiritual community. For more information on the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment, click here.
Partner Cities in the Tri-City Voice
The Tri-City Voice has written a nice article on San Jose’s admission to the Partner Cities Network. According to the report, “a delegation from Santa Clara County will travel to Melbourne, Austrlia to receive the award at the World Parliament in December 2009.” To read the full article, click here.
