Why Virtual?
When the Site Committee began the scoping of the 8th Parliament of the World’s Religions after the Toronto Parliament, its members never imagined what our communities would be facing in the form of COVID-19. In response to established safety standards, the Parliament joined interfaith and interreligious organizations across the globe in utilizing our diversity of beliefs and practices and committed to serving as a convener of the interfaith movement, virtually, to continue working together for a world-wide community that embraces love, compassion, justice, and peace during this on-going global crisis. So why host the 8th Parliament of the World’s Religions Virtually? The Parliament is committed to being a safe space for people of faith to come together; both mentally and physically. During the ongoing pandemic, we could not guarantee this safety in a physical event and the Parliament convening is too important to put off. There is no better time than 2021 to bring people of diverse faith and spirituality together to bring about a better world. The second and perhaps most important reason to go virtual for this year’s Parliament is the advantages of a virtual platform. Since 1893, each Parliament has striven to be more inclusive than the last. By allowing attendants to come to the Parliament through the click of a button in their homes and offices around the world, we bring voices that may not have ever had a chance to come before. Think of the possibilities! For the first time, the Parliament could include tours of sacred places from all around the globe. We believe that all Parliaments in the future will include some virtual element to them, even when we return to meeting in a city conference center. This is just the beginning! |