The evening of Saturday, October 16th marked the opening of the eighth Convening of the Parliament of the World’s Religions. The 2021 Parliament of the World’s Religions was unique for a variety of reasons: it was the first Parliament to take place over the course of 48 hours, it was the first Parliament to host three regional symposiums, and it was the first Parliament to be hosted completely online.
So why virtual? In response to established safety standards in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Parliament joined interfaith organizations across the globe in drawing on our diversity of beliefs and practices and we committed to serving as a convener of the interfaith movement, virtually.
At the 2021 Parliament individuals, communities, and world-renowned luminaries answered this call, convening as a movement for another historic interfaith gathering on the theme of “Opening our Hearts to the World: Compassion in Action.”
About the Theme
Opening our Hearts to the World: Compassion in Action was deeply inspired by the response of faith and spiritual communities to the COVID-19 pandemic, the rising hate crimes and hate speech against communities of color, and countless other moral viruses. The theme was strategically developed to guide participants in a dynamic arc stretching from the Opening, to Grief, Hope, Compassion in Action, and the concluding Opening Our Hearts to the Future of the World.
In inviting participants to “open our hearts”, the Parliament strived to address the debilitating grief and loss shared by communities in the midst of the moral and physical viruses facing the world. In sharing messages of “hope”, the Parliament aimed to emphasize the capacity of faith and spiritual traditions to address these viruses. In advocating for “compassionate action”, the Parliament challenged the interfaith movement to commit to just, peaceful and sustainable action to serve as antidotes to these viruses.
“Our faith and spiritual communities have continuously risen to be antidotes to these moral and physical viruses and we need to gather to highlight this action-based work, share best practices, learn from one another, and celebrate the successes.” – Rev. Stephen Avino
The theme of the 2021 Parliament Convening was conceptualized under the leadership of the Parliament’s Program Committee and its Chair, Rev. HPs. Phyllis Curott. Keeping in mind the virtual nature of the Convening and the time constraints, the theme and the plenaries of the 2021 Parliament addressed the critical issues and constituencies of the Parliament by inviting carefully selected speakers. Invitations were extended to a historically diverse, gender-balanced, and international \roster of plenary speakers and performers, approximately 100 of whom presented.
The Programming
The programming of the 2021 Parliament of the World’s Religions was designed to reflect on the Convenings theme while enhancing understanding, best practices, and skillsets advancing the mission of the Parliament for a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world. The Parliament was aided in this endeavor by Committees, Task Forces, and working groups dedicated to highlighting the organization’s critical issues and engaging its critical constituencies.
Sixteen tracks offered participants unique opportunities to learn, connect, and engage in faith and interfaith understanding, religious and spiritual observances, film and art features, and faith-inspired performances. Of these tracks, three were sponsored by organizations committed to a common mission of interfaith, compassion and a more loving world. Want to explore the full agenda of the 2021 Parliament Convening? Visit Accelevents.com for more information.
Among the unique offerings at the 2021 Parliament of the World’s Religions were distinguished Regional Symposiums inspired by the Convening’s theme of “Opening Our Hearts to the World: Compassion in Action.”
The Symposiums provide attendees an opportunity to connect with faith and spiritual leaders from Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Organized in partnership by Parliament Trustees and grassroots organizations in these regions, the Symposiums were as distinctive as their region of origin. They highlighted critical regional issues and powerful voices of justice, peace and sustainability around the world.
Full recordings of programs offered at the 2021 Parliament Convening are available exclusively to supporting members of the Parliament of the World’s Religions. Learn more here.
BEYOND THE PROGRAMS
