We are pleased to announce that Bishop Gene has been invited to speak at the oldest interfaith summit in the world, the Parliament of World Religions, shortly after the 2015 Convocation takes place. The summit will be held at Salt Lake City, Utah USA from October 15-19, 2015.
This summit will host more than 10,000 participants from 80 countries and 50 religious and spiritual traditions. It is a milestone in our Community’s history that our Human Spiritual Rights standpoint will be represented at such a gathering.
Keynote Speakers—26 in all—will include:
- His Holiness the 14 Dalai Lama of Tibet;
- Dr. Arun Gandhi, grandson of the Mahatma Gandhi;
- His Excellency Oscar Arias Sanchez, former president of the Republic of Costa Rica;
- Chief Arvol Lookinghorse, 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo of the Sioux Nation;
- Rabbi David Saperstein, U.S. Ambassador At-large for International Religious Freedom;
- Dr. Eboo Patel, sociology professor of religion from Oxford University.
Bishop Savoy has been invited to speak in the forum titled “Pathways to Peace: A Panel Presentation from Different Faiths.” He will also be delivering an individual talk on peace based on the Advocates for Religious Freedom’s standpoint of universal Human Spiritual Rights.
The idea to attend the conference and the invitation to speak came through Dr. Balwant Singh Hansra, whom Bishop Savoy and Rev. Ted Staver met at the religious conference held at Seoul, Korea in October 2014. Dr. Hansra, originally from India, but now residing in Chicago, Illinois, is a former member of the board of directors of the World Parliament. Dr. Hansra invited Bishop Savoy to attend and be part of his panel following the conference in Seoul.
The first World’s Parliament of Religions of 1893 was an attempt to create a global dialogue of faiths. The event was celebrated by another conference on its centenary in 1993. This led to a new series of conferences under the official title “Parliament of the World’s Religions” since that time.
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10,000 People. 80 Nations. 50 Faiths.
What: The 2015 Parliament of the World’s Religions
When: October 15 – 19, 2015
Where: Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
The Parliament is the oldest, the largest, and the most inclusive gathering of people of all faith and traditions.
The first Parliament took place in 1893. Since, this historic event has taken place in Chicago, USA • Cape Town, South Africa • Barcelona, Spain • Melbourne, Australia – and now in Salt Lake City, Utah!
If you care for religions and nations working together in harmony with each other for the good of humanity, you should attend.
You will find:
- Trainings in dialogue, interfaith activism, fundraising, and organizing
- World-class religious music, films, exhibits and performances
- And shop ethnic, international, religious books & things
Your Opportunity to Share
In break-out sessions and circles you will share your opinions and ideas with others.
Networking & Connections
The Parliament is a great networking opportunity. 60 percent of people who attend are well-connected networkers around interfaith and common causes.
You can attend to share your faith, listen to others and ask questions.
Most people, however, attend because of the extraordinary experience and relationships which are formed at the Parliament.
How Much Does it Cost to Attend the Parliament?
You can register for as low as $150 to attend if you qualify. Pricing will go up to $550 if you register later. However, right now, you can access advance discounts open now for families, spouses, groups (like congregations, university classes, peace organizations), individuals, and children, too. The Parliament is committed to involving families and children in the Interfaith movement.
Registration and housing options range from camping, hostels, and hotels at affordable to world-class levels to meet your needs.
Once you register, reserved Parliament hotel blocks at Parliament-only rates are made accessible to you.
Camping
We are in serious negotiations to provide camping facilities.
Food Concerns
There will be a food court offering all type of food options — from vegan, to kosher, to halal — while there are all sort of restaurants surrounding the convention center.
< Visit www.parliamentofreligions.org for more information. >