City Resolution Declares August ‘Parliament of the World’s Religions’ Month
On Wednesday, 19 July 2023 the Chicago City Council approved a resolution declaring August ‘Parliament of the World’s Religions’ Month. Cardinal Blase Cupich of the Archdiocese of Chicago joined faith leaders from around the country at a private meeting with Mayor Johnson, a keynote speaker opening the Parliament.
“Chicago’s faith community is strong and vibrant, embodying the soul of our city and supporting its people and neighborhoods,” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “As the son of two pastors, faith guided my family through difficult times and instilled my core values of service and community. The Parliament of the World’s Religions has represented these values throughout its long history of outreach and philanthropy, and I am grateful for continued partnership with them to provide resources and foster community here in Chicago, and beyond.”
Luminaries Addressing the 2023 Parliament of the World's Religions
The Parliament of the World's Religions is honored to welcome Khalil Sayegh, Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger, Khaled Abu Awwad, Shane Claiborne, Karen Freeman-Wilson, and Baba Wande Abimbola as featured luminaries of the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions, gathering in Chicago, USA this upcoming 14-18 August 2023.
- Khalil Sayegh is a Palestinian Christian fostering peace & justice in Israel/Palestine, an interfaith advocate, global speaker, and founder of Agora Initiative.
- Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger is one of the founders of Roots/Shorashim/Judur, a Palestinian Israeli Grassroots Initiative for Understanding, Nonviolence and Transformation.
- Khaled Abu Awwad is the Palestinian co-director of Roots, the Palestinian-Israel grassroots initiative for understanding, nonviolence and transformation.
- Shane Claiborne is a prominent speaker, activist, and best-selling author who heads up Red Letter Christians, and advocate for the end death penalty and help stop gun violence.
- Karen Freeman-Wilson is the President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League, working to advance economic, educational, and social progress for African Americans through direct service and advocacy.
- Baba Wande Abimbola, Awise Agbaye, is the Spokesperson for Ifa in the world, founder of Ifa Heritage Institute in Nigeria, and former Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University.
Join Them!
- Book Your Ticket
- Don't miss the last week of savings with the PoWR Hotel Block. Remaining hotel rooms can be booked by Friday 28 July 2023 at the Marriott Marquis Chicago McCormick Place.
Right to a Healthy Environment Global Coalition Wins UN Human Rights Prize
The Parliament of the World's Religions is a proud member of the Global Coalition of Civil Society, Indigenous Peoples, Social Movements, and Local Communities for the Universal Recognition of the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment, which was awarded the United Nations Human Rights Prize.
The UN Human Rights Prize is awarded once every five years to several recipients at a time. This year is the first time that it has been granted to a global coalition. The prize will be presented in New York on 10 December 2023, which also marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, making this recognition even more special.
Global Ethic Awards Honor the Legacy of the Very Reverend Thomas A. Baima and Hans Küng
At the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions, convening in Chicago, USA this 14-18 August 2023, the PoWR’s Global Ethic Committee is recognizing the significant contributions to its foundational document “Towards a Global Ethic (An Initial Declaration).” Presented in honor of the Very Reverend Thomas A. Baima and Hans Küng, The Very Reverend Thomas A. Baima Outstanding Contribution to the Global Ethic Award and Hans Küng Outstanding Contribution to the Global Ethic Award recognize recipients advancing the Global Ethic through service and writings.
The Very Reverend Thomas A. Baima Outstanding Contribution to the Global Ethic Award recognizes the significant contribution of the American, Roman Catholic Archdiocesan priest to the Parliament of the World’s Religions’ signature document, “Towards a Global Ethic (An Initial Declaration),” also known as the Global Ethic. The late Reverend Baima was one of the Global Ethic’s early supporters and authors. The award honors Reverend Baima’s exemplary and inspiring commitment to living out the principles of the Global Ethic during his many decades of service as Vicar for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs for the Archdiocese of Chicago, USA. Reverend Baima touched countless lives, inspiring others to work together with respect and harmony. He left the world a better place. Recipients of this award are selected based on their exceptional record of advancing the Global Ethic and of improving the lives of others by putting its ethical commitments into effect through their own work of service.
The Hans Küng Outstanding Contribution to the Global Ethic Award recognizes the significant contribution of the late Swiss, Roman Catholic theologian to the Parliament of the World’s Religions’ signature document, “Towards a Global Ethic (An Initial Declaration),” also known as the Global Ethic. This award honors the crucial role played by Dr. Küng as the Global Ethic’s principal author and tireless advocate for nearly thirty years. Dr. Küng launched the project of writing the Global Ethic by calling for peace between the religions and sharing his conviction that moral commitments already shared by the religions served as a starting place of agreement. This award honors Dr. Küng’s work to advance the Global Ethic in the public sphere through his influential writings and through his Global Ethic Foundation in Tübingen, Germany. Recipients of this award are selected based on their exceptional record of advancing the Global Ethic through their academic and other writings, by fostering dialogue about its commitments, and by increasing understanding of what a world still in strife holds in common.
Upcoming Events
- Tuesday 5 August 2023: join the pre-Parliament event Art of Universal Language.
- Sunday 6 August 2023: join the global observance of Nuclear Prayer Day.
- Saturday 12 August 2023: join the pre-Parliament Chicago Celebrates Unity in Action.
- Sunday 13 August 2023: join the pre-Parliament event The Architecture of Faith: Finding Interconnectedness in Sacred Space.
- 15 & 16 August 2023: join the Chicago Interfaith Trolley Tours around the City of Chicago.
- Wednesday 16 August 2023: join the Toro Nagashi Lantern Ceremony at Jackson Park’s Garden of the Phoenix.
2024 InterFaith Calendar
The Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago (CRLMC) is celebrating the homecoming of the Parliament Convening with a special discount off their 2024 InterFaith Calendar for attendees.
Seeking Religious Literacy
Prepare for the Parliament Convening with the Seeking Religious Literacy Course, Parliament Attendees Enjoy 30% Discount with code I'm in PWR 2023