The Parliament of the World’s
Religions in Brussels
Brussels, as 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 Parliament is the oldest and certainly one of the most significant interreligious gatherings in the world. It is expected that more than 10.000 people from diverse religious and cultural 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.
The Parliament fosters harmony between religions, not unity; it seeks convergence of purpose, not consensus on belief and practice; it works as a facilitator much more than as an institution. It is important to note 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!
The Brussels Parliament will address both local issues and global concerns. Brussels, being one of the most open and multicultural cities in the globe, is a microcosm of the challenges and opportunities which characterize our times. In the view of the PWR Board of Trustees: ‘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 Parliament profoundly chimes with Belgium’s and Brussels’ vocation as a place of consensus, convergence and conciliation. The thorough and deliberate process of dialogue leading up to the Parliament will powerfully contribute to social cohesion and to a better understanding between the different components of society in Belgium and abroad.
The Brussels Bid was supported by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, by the Government of the Brussels Capital Region and the Brussels City Hall, as well as by a number of religious, social and academic leaders and communities in the country.
The Bid was conducted by the Brussels 2014 PWR Steering Committee, with the active support of the Tourist Office for Flanders – Flanders Brussels Convention Bureau and of Visit Brussels.
Brochures can be downloaded here
The Parliament of the World’s Religions in Brussels
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Because Brussels and Europe is where numbers of religions and confessions are meeting, because in Brussels diversity is day to day life, because interconvictional is an important issue for Brussels, because Brussels is a sound box for Europe and the world, because the future of our world depends on relationships between religions and convictions
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Brussels makes a bid to welcome Most of the religions and convictions present in Brussels |
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