In August of 2023, the Parliament of the World’s Religions returns to the birthplace of the modern interfaith movement after 30 years away to celebrate 130 years of history in the city of Chicago.
10,000+ participants from more than 200 diverse religious and spiritual traditions, people of goodwill, and more than 80 nations are expected to answer the call to conscience at the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions.
Enjoy access to plenary sessions, hundreds of breakout sessions, art & cultural exhibits, performances, a film festival, and countless opportunities to connect with individuals and organizations committed to justice, peace, and sustainability.
The 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions will be hosted in McCormick Place Lakeside Center from August 14-18, 2023.
The 2023 Parliament will convene on the theme of A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom & Human Rights, calling people of faith and conscience to stand up together in all their diversity and defend freedom and human rights.
Parliament Executive Director, Rev. Stephen Avino, affirms that the 2023 Parliament Convening will serve as, “…a place of open minds and open hearts where we can all express the wonder and dignity of our religious and spiritual traditions against the backdrop of the majestic beauty of Lake Michigan. But we could not do all this without addressing the foundational issue of our time; the threat to freedom and human rights. We must defend freedom and human rights together and find solutions to the rise of autocracy in our world.”
At the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions, attendees from around the world are answering a call to conscience. Programming for the 2023 Parliament will focus largely, but not exclusively on:
Do you have a bold idea for a program, performance, religious observance, art exhibit, or film? Answer the call, submit a proposal today.
As the largest and most flexible convention center in North America, McCormick Place is the perfect venue for meetings and events of all sizes. The entire campus is accessible via sky bridge, making the campus the most connected venue available in the city of Chicago.
The 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions will be hosted at the Lakeside Center overlooking Lake Michigan from Monday, August 14 through Friday, August 18.
McCormick Place strives to create the best possible experience for every guest, every time.
Trained service animals are welcome at McCormick Place.
TTY Phone access is available at the Security Command Center located in the North Building on Level 1.
Elevators are located near the main entrances in all McCormick Place buildings, and near the main exhibit halls on all levels.
McCormick Place has 4 designated drop-off points for taxis and cars that provide ramped curbs and automatic entry doors:
All meeting rooms and theaters are wheelchair accessible, except rooms E268 and E269 of the Lakeside Center.
Accessible parking is available in Lot A (located on Martin Luther King Drive), Lot C (located underground in Lakeside Center) and the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place parking garage.
The Arie Crown Theater provides wheelchair seating throughout the theater; wheelchair companion seating can be arranged with advance notice.
First aid stations, restaurants, retail outlets and drinking fountains are wheelchair accessible. Restrooms provide either accessible or ambulatory stalls.
All McCormick Place public signs incorporate raised lettering and Braille.
For wheelchairs, mobility scooters, power chairs and oxygen equipment rentals, contact our preferred service partner, Scootaround Mobility Solutions at 888-441-7575.
Public transportation is the most affordable and convenient way to get to McCormick Place.
• Google Maps (With integrated Driving, Public Transit, Walking and Bicycle Directions)
• RTA Trip Planner – Transit Information Hotline at 312-836-7000
• TransitChicago.com
• Ventra Card
• MetraRail.com
• CHICABS – download “Curb” from your favorite App Store. Click “Arro” for the Arro App site.
• Download “Lyft” and “Uber” application(s) from your favorite App Store.
• Divvy Bikes
Metra Train and CTA Bus City Map
Metra Train and CTA Bus Locations at or near McCormick Place
Chicago welcomes hundreds of thousands of international visitors each year. Two documents are needed to enter the United States:
If your country is not part of the VWP, there are three visitor visa categories you may apply for:
B-1: For those entering the U.S. temporarily for business
B-2: For those visiting for pleasure
B-1/B-2: For a combination of both
Note: Citizens of Canada and Bermuda visiting the United States for temporary travel generally do not require a nonimmigrant visa.
Chicago is home to two international airports conveniently located in the center of the country, with thousands of daily inbound and outbound flights to more than 240 destinations:
Both O’Hare and Midway are within easy reach of downtown Chicago.
Chicago’s central location and its position as a hub for the nation’s major interstates make it a convenient drive from anywhere in the country. Chicago is accessible via several major interstates and highways: I-90 (Kennedy Expressway), I-94 (Dan Ryan Expressway), I-55 (Stevenson Expressway), I-290 (Eisenhower Expressway), and I-294 (Tri-State Tollway).
View an interactive parking map of downtown Chicago to search for public parking lots and garages by address and points of interest.
If you’re headed to Chicago from a Midwestern metropolis like Detroit, Indianapolis, or St. Louis, catch a leisurely ride on a private charter bus. Charter buses include free WiFi, reclining seats, panoramic windows, and plenty of legroom. Find a private charter bus.
Greyhound has five Chicagoland locations, including two 24-hour stations and 20 express routes to major U.S. cities. Find Greyhound stations.
Megabus is a budget-friendly, city-to-city service. Find Megabus stations and rates.
Chicago’s iconic Union Station serves both Amtrak and Metra, the city’s commuter rail service. Originally designed by Daniel Burnham and completed by Graham, Anderson, Probst and White, Union Station is a glowing expression of Chicago’s status as a national railroad hub, and remains a treasured part of the city’s history.
Additionally, the Richard B. Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago serves the three commuter rail lines of Metra’s Union Pacific District, which approach the terminal elevated above street level. There are also two Metra stations in the Loop: Millennium Station on the Metra Electric District line and Lasalle Street Station on the Rock Island District Line.
With 21,000 miles of routes across the United States and Canada, Amtrak offers more than 300 high-speed trains to more than 500 destinations daily. Find Amtrak routes and fares.
The high-speed Metra commuter rail train connects outlying suburbs to downtown Chicago and is a fast and easy way to travel to the heart of the city. Find fares and route maps.
South Shore Line serves Chicago through Northern Indiana to the South Bend Airport. Call (219) 874-4221 ext. 245 for group rates. Find South Shore Line routes and fares.
The Parliament is accepting proposals for programs, presentations, religious observances, art, and performances. Propose transformative opportunities for dialogue and inspiration from your unique faith perspective.
Are there vendors or organizations in your community who would benefit from connecting with the interfaith movement? Help us spread the word about the exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities at the Parliament.
Join us in answering the call to conscience at the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago, USA. From now until August 2023, join us in hosting a local pre-parliament event to offer “a taste” of the Parliament experience.
Each Parliament of the World’s Religions is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Join volunteers from around the world in making this Convening unforgettable.
70 East Lake St., Ste 230
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 629-2990
The Parliament of the World's Religions acknowledges it is situated on the traditional homelands of the Bodéwadmik (Potawatomi), Hoocąk (Winnebago/Ho’Chunk), Jiwere (Otoe), Nutachi (Missouria), and Baxoje (Iowas); Kiash Matchitiwuk (Menominee); Meshkwahkîha (Meskwaki); Asâkîwaki (Sauk); Myaamiaki (Miami), Waayaahtanwaki (Wea), and Peeyankihšiaki (Piankashaw); Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo); Inoka (Illini Confederacy); Anishinaabeg (Ojibwe), and Odawak (Odawa).
PoWR recognizes the region we now call Chicago remains home to a diversity of Indigenous peoples today and this land upon which we walk, live, and play continues to be Indigenous land.
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