URI at the 2021 Parliament This Weekend

13 October 2021
URI at the 2021 Parliament This Weekend

URI is developing a partnership with the Parliament of the World's Religions, which brings together leaders and community members of interfaith movements around the planet for a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world. At this year's Parliament, we are thrilled to announce the vibrant presence of many URI network members.

What: The 2021 Parliament of the World’s Religions

When: This weekend, October 16 - 18, 2021 (US Central Time)

Where: Virtually Around the World

The Parliament of the World’s Religions is gathering online for its 8th global Convening this weekend. URI and interfaith colleagues from around the world are joining this unique opportunity to gather at the 2021 Parliament of the World’s Religions.

The​ 2021 ​Parliament​​ will feature​ ​over 500 programs​, presentations​ and religious observances​, to be held virtually,​ October 16-18. The program will be hosted in Central US time, coinciding with the location of the Parliament headquarters in Chicago, but provide offerings for time zones around the world, on the theme "Opening our Hearts to the World: Compassion in Action."

The Convening will feature over 100+ luminaries including URI's very own Rt. Rev. Bishop William Swing, Dr. Jane Goodall, Rev. James Lawson, Dr. Eboo Patel, Karen Armstrong, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Marianne Williamson, Wande Abimbola, and Joanne Shenandoah, to name a few.

URI Presence at the 2021 Parliament:

Join URI representatives and the URI team at the 2021 Parliament. You can join breakout sessions and workshops, connect on the URI lounge, and access the platform for 30 days after the Convening to watch on-demand.

Below is a list of known sessions presented by members of the URI network.  If you plan on being a speaker, moderator, or other type of presenter at this year's Parliament, please fill out this short form so we can highlight your event in our upcoming publications of URI involvement. We will then list your session below. 

URI will be represented by:

  • Kiran Bali, MBE JP, Chair of the URI Global Council of Trustees (At-Large Trustee), United Religions Initiative 
    • Global Stories of Grassroots Compassion and Peacebuilding from the United Religions Initiative
    • Faith4SDGs Short Films Festival: Ensuring Environmental Justice by Providing Sustainable Housing and Clean Water (SDG 6,7 and SDG 11)
    • The Living System and Choices We Make: Interfaith Climate Action
  • The Right Rev. William E. Swing, URI Founder and President Emeritus
    • Opening Ceremony & Plenary
    • An Unlikely Journey: The Global Awakening of Voices for a World Free of Nuclear Weapons
  • Sarah Oliver, Associate Director of Global Programs for Youth Engagement for United Religions Initiative
    • Africa Regional Symposium
  • Karimah Stauch, European URI Coordinator 
    • Grassroots People on the Move Towards a Just, Peaceful, and Sustainable Europe: An Interfaith Journey through Europe
  • Despina Namwembe, Regional Coordinator Africa Great Lakes United Religions Initiative
    • Global Stories of Grassroots Compassion and Peacebuilding from the United Religions Initiative
  • Rev. Lauren Van Ham, Climate Action Coordinator, The United Religions Initiative (URI)
    • The Living System and Choices We Make: Interfaith Climate Action
  • Abhirup Khan, YOUTH PROGRAM COORDINATOR, URI East India, The United Religions Initiative
    • The Living System and Choices We Make: Interfaith Climate Action
  • Lejla Hasandedic-Dapo, United Religions Initiative Europe
    • Grassroots People on the Move Towards a Just, Peaceful, and Sustainable Europe: An Interfaith Journey through Europe
    • Peace Leadership: A Theory and Practice for Compassion in Action
  • Duncan Wielzen, President, URI Europe / URI Netherlands
    • Grassroots People on the Move Towards a Just, Peaceful, and Sustainable Europe: An Interfaith Journey through Europe
  • Vjekoslav Saje, Founder & chair, Secretary, Balkan as a Soul-Bridge, URI Europe
    • Grassroots People on the Move Towards a Just, Peaceful, and Sustainable Europe: An Interfaith Journey through Europe
  • Luisa Pereira, Member, URI América Latina y El Caribe
    • El Medio Ambiente y los Pueblos se Están Quedando Sin Agua
  • Mateo Choc Yaxcal, Member, URI América Latina y El Caribe
    • El Medio Ambiente y los Pueblos se Están Quedando Sin Agua
  • Marcelo Costa Krahô, Director, Documentary "Terra Sem Pecado", member of URI (United Religions Initiative)
    • Terra Sem Pecado
  • Michael Pappas, United Religions Initiative (URI) North America Region Leadership Council
    • San Francisco Bay Area Interfaith Councils' Collaboration for Post-COVID Strategies and Way Forward for Faith Organizations
  • Morgana Sythove, Elder, Chair of PFI and URI Global Trustee Multiregion
    • Pagans and Heathens: Where on Earth are We? An International Perspective
    • The Living System and Choices We Make: Interfaith Climate Action
    • Multifaith Communication across Cultures and Traditions: Creating a Universal Language
  • Rev. Martha Gallahue, NGO representative of the United Religions Initiative to the United Nations
    • Yoga for Sustainable Development Goals
  • Monica Willard, UN NGO Representative, United Religions Initiative
    • Partnering for Success: Interfaith and the United Nations
  • Catherine Merchant, member of Living Interfaith Sanctuary CC
    • Interfaith Congregations: Toward an Inclusive, Respectful, and Compassionate Future
  • Vasu Bandhu, member of Arizona Faith Network CC
    • El Medio Ambiente y los Pueblos se Están Quedando Sin Agua
    • Interfaith LGBT+ and Bilingual Wedding
    • Terra Sem Pecado
    • America Latina: Fundamentalismos y DDHH Desde el Diálogo Interreligioso
    • Global Stories of Grassroots Compassion and Peacebuilding from the United Religions Initiative
  • Jeff Genung, member of Contemplative Life CC
    • Prosocial Spirituality: From Cooperation to Compassion
  • Hollister Thomas, member of Euphrates CC
    • Peace Leadership: A Theory and Practice for Compassion in Action

Registration

Registration on the Parliament website closes on October 15th and moves to the Accelevent platform on October 16th, with additional processing fees. Take advantage of the Student Rate available to any individual enrolled in an accredited educational institution with a valid ID. High school and undergraduate students can take advantage of a $10 registration rate.