The Parliament of the World's Religions is a global interfaith event that first convened in 1893 as part of the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, marking a pioneering approach to interreligious dialogue. This event was the first formal gathering of representatives from Eastern and Western spiritual traditions. Today, it serves as a platform for discussing global religious and spiritual issues, promoting peace, and fostering mutual respect among different faiths. The Parliament has reconvened periodically ever since, attracting religious leaders, scholars, and activists from around the globe.
Over the years, the Parliament of the World's Religions has expanded its scope to address urgent contemporary issues such as climatechange, war, racism, and social justice through the lens of religious teachings and practices. Each event focuses on a specific theme, for example, the 1993 centenary celebration was themed "Towards a Global Ethic" which introduced a declaration of the fundamental unity of human values across religions. The gatherings are inclusive, featuring participants from a myriad of religious backgrounds including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, indigenous, pagan, and other spiritual traditions.
The Parliament operates under the guidance of a central mission: to cultivate harmony among the world's religious and spiritual communities and foster their engagement with the world and its guiding institutions to achieve a just, peaceful, and sustainable world. To this end, the Parliament encourages interfaith dialogue that bridges doctrinal divides and promotes cooperative action. Its activities are often centered around workshops, religious ceremonies, meditation sessions, and speeches, all designed to deepen understanding and facilitate shared experiences and values.
The influence of the Parliament of the World's Religions is significant in that it often leads to actionable commitments from its participants. For instance, the 2018 Toronto Parliament issued a global call to action, urging religious communities worldwide to pledge to advance values-based solutions to critical issues facing humanity. Notably, the Parliament also plays a crucial role in the development of interfaith education, which is crucial for nurturing mutual respect and understanding among future generations. By continuing to gather diverse religious communities, the Parliament contributes profoundly to the global movement towards peace and coexistence, demonstrating the potential of unified spiritual action to promote global well-being.