As you probably already know, in the months leading up to the 2015 Parliament in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, communities around the world will hold Pre-Parliament Events. Pre-Parliament events will offer "a taste of the Parliament experience," opportunities to learn more about the 2015 Parliament, and a forum to highlight the work of your local interfaith initiatives. Let's promote the largest interfaith events of the world, the 2015 Parliament, through tremendous Pre-Parliament events.
As you know, Ambassadors are required to hold Pre-Parliament Events per the Guidelines.
By hosting a Pre-Parliament Event in your community, you are calling people of faith, spirit, and goodwill to come together to learn about and engage in the process of fostering global peace and social justice. This will occur through the unique lens of your local community. Topics for local Pre-Parliament Events, interpreted through the ethical values of religious and spiritual traditions, might include:
Global poverty and the wealth disparity
Climate change and protection of the environment
Violence and efforts for reconciliation and peace
The role of youth and women in conflict resolution
Artistic expression and spirituality
You are also welcome to combine your existing event with a Pre-Parliament Event or you can simply create a small interfaith information session with a power-point presentation, speech or video. We will be providing with any material you need to provide information to the public. For more information contact preparliament@parliamentofreligions.org
Ambassador Spotlight
The following report was provided by Parliament Ambassador Paulo Mendes Pinto from Lisbon, Portugal.
Children of a Greater God, or For a Religious Ecology
PAULO MENDES PINTO
Throughout our History there were several moments when we were forced to take sides, to choose a position, when circumstances forced us to do so. While regarding the high value of stability, times of crisis and radicalization can lead us to a clarification of positions and to a civic positioning for the common good.
A few days ago I attended the main Friday Islamic prayer at a quasi makeshift mosque, in a poor space, deprived of any wealth, free from any ostentation. What was significant, in what was happening in that ordinary backstreetof Amadora (a small city near Lisbon), was simply the fact that hundreds of believers, mostly of Guinean origin, were gathering to declare beforethemselves and God, that they are part of a community who feels Islamic, according to the original meaning of the word: believing and submitting to God.
It was such a rich experience, almost unspeakable. I expected the reception to be friendly, and it was. I expected to receive the regular greetings, and I did receive them. But what really amazed me, what struck me most emotionally, was the sense of humanity I found there. Click here to read more...
Promote the Parliament
Our Board Chair challenged you to reach out to your networks, hold Pre-Parliament events, and spread the word! Here are some documents to get you started:
