Brussels to host the Parliament of the World?s Religions in 2014

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Brussels to host the Parliament of the World?s Religions in 2014

Brussels ? the capital of the Belgians and of
500,000,000 Europeans ? has been chosen as the
host city of the Parliament of the World?s
Religions in 2014. The selection of Brussels was
made by the Board of Trustees of the governing
organization at its March 13, 2011 meeting in Chicago.

More than 10,000 people from diverse religious,
spiritual and convictional traditions will
participate in the 2014 Parliament, which will
last for 7 days and will comprise more than 500
programs, workshops and dialogues, alongside
music, dance, artistic exhibitions and related
events hosted by religious communities and
cultural institutions. Since the historic 1893
World?s Parliament of Religions was held in
Chicago, modern Parliaments have been held in
Chicago (1993), Cape Town (1999), Barcelona
(2004) and Melbourne (2009). These periodic
Parliament events are the world?s oldest and largest interreligious gathe rings.

As the capital of the European Union, Brussels is
a microcosm of the challenges and possibilities
present in an increasingly multi-religious and
multi-cultural continental society. Historical
and geo-political dynamics connect Brussels and
Europe to the rest of the world in powerful ways
that have far-reaching implications.

The compelling global case for a Parliament in
Brussels was amplified by the urgent need to
address the issue of social cohesion in Europe
and other regions experiencing religious,
cultural and ethnic diversity. The role of
Brussels as the capital of the European Union
provides a regional and international reach, and
taps into widespread dynamics that ultimately
impact every corner of the world. The potential
for social unrest or social transformation, at
this pivotal moment in history, was the final
determining factor in answering the question: Why Brussels? Why now?

Mr. Miquel Mesquita da Cunha, chair of the bid
committee noted that ??although the established
name of Parliament of the World?s Religions is to
be cherished, the process involves not just
religions but also in a wider sense
spiritualities and convictions. Similarly,
although senior leaders and thinkers from diverse
traditions will speak at the event, the
Parliament is very much for people from all walks
of life ? a feast for everyone!?

In the three years ahead, the 2014 Parliament
program will be developed in close consultation
with religious and convictional leaders and
communities in Brussels itself, across Europe,
and from around the world, so that the event
reflects the perspectives and priorities of all faiths and persuasions.

The Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Belgium, the Government of the
Brussels Capital Region and the Brussels City
Hall, as well as a number of religious, social
and academic leaders and communities in the
country, supported the Brussels Bid.

In making this selection the Council emphasized
its commitment to continuing a relationship with
the other two finalists to host the international
gathering.  The Council will work with local
organizers to extend the reach of Guadalajara as
a bridge for the interreligious movement to all
of Latin America. The Council will approach
Dallas-Fort Worth to consider developing together
a dynamic model for fostering social cohesion in the US context.

The Council for a Parliament of the World?s
Religions is an international, non-sectarian,
non-profit organization, established in 1988 to
host the 1993 Parliament of the World?s
Religions. The office of the Council is located in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

For more information, please contact:

- Rev. Dirk Ficca, Executive Director of the
Council for the Parliament of the World?s
Religions  (dirk@parliamentofreligions.org, (312) 629-2990)
- Miguel Mesquita da Cunha, Chairman of the 2014
Bid Steering Committee (mmc@brussels2014.eu)
- Council website www.parliamentofreligions.org
- Brussels Parliament bid website www.Brussels2014.eu