A Call to Participate
2nd Consultation on Interfaith Education for a Global Society
Church Center at the United Nations
777 UN Plaza, New York, NY
March 17-18, 2003

In light of the positive role that interfaith dialogue and education can play in an era of globalization, this Consultation will bring together innovative and creative practitioners to map the field, explore methodologies and practices, and create supportive networks.

  Conference panelists include:

  • John Berthrong, Boston University School of Theology

  • Suheil Badi Bushrui, University of Maryland

  • Heidi Hadsell, Hartford Theological Seminary

  • Grove Harris, The Pluralism Project, Harvard University

  • Matthew Hicks, Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education

  •  

  • Judith Hertz, Commission on Interreligious Affairs of Reformed Judaism

  • Mojca Leban, The Abraham Project

  • Leo Lefebure, Fordham University

  • Ibrahim Abdil-Mu’id Ramey, Fellowship of Reconciliation  

  • Karen McCarthy Brown, Drew Theological Seminary 

  • John Taylor,  International Association for Religious Freedom  

  • Melodye Feldman, Face to Face, Faith to Faith

  • Rabia Harris, Muslim Peace Fellowship

Best Practices/Outstanding Examples to be presented include the Abraham Project; Building Bridges, Long Island Multifaith Forum; Face to Face, Faith to Faith; Muslim Peace Fellowship; the Pluralism Project; Religious Studies in Secondary School; Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education; Textual Reasoning; and Trees of Peace Society.

 

BACKGROUND:

Mindful of the positive role that interfaith dialogue and education can play in an era of globalization, CrossCurrents joined with the Temple of Understanding, Auburn Theological Seminary, and the Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education hosted an invitational gathering in January 2002 to explore three key issues:

  • What is interfaith education?

  • What organizations, institutions or individuals are engaged in interfaith education?

  • Where can we find outstanding examples of ways in which interfaith education is being taught?

Last fall, a planning committee began to prepare for a second Consultation that would broaden the participation by including NGOs, interfaith and faith-based organizations, and academic institutions. Our rationale is that many organizations offer interfaith educational programs, yet the general field can be better defined, best practices identified, and resources made more readily available.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the Consultation is to map the field of interfaith education by bringing together innovative and creative practitioners for a series of Consultations that will:

  • examine methodologies, consider outstanding practices and identify unmet needs

  • grapple with the barriers and challenges faced in interfaith education

  • build supportive relationships among colleagues and cultivate networks for collaboration

  • explore the relationship between interfaith education and other endeavors, such as multicultural, religious, and peace education

  • connect theory and practice, encouraging our society to see interfaith education as an essential component in global and personal transformation

  • plan a series of follow-up consultations to continue these activites

The series of consultations is preparatory to two major events occurring in Barcelona in 2004: the Parliament of the World Religions (July) and the Universal Forum of Cultures (April – September), sponsored by UNESCO. The results of our research and conversations will be shared at both events in an effort to include as many organizations and interested persons as possible in defining the field.

CONSULTATION SCHEDULE 

CONSULTATION PLANNING COMMITTEE:

●    Lee Hancock,  Auburn Theological Seminary
●    Michael Gottsegen, The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership
●     Peter Cobb, Ann Thurber, Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education
●     Charles Henderson,  ARIL/CrossCurrents
●     Ibrahim Abdil-Mu’id, Ramey Fellowship of Reconciliation
●     Laxmi Shah, International Mahavir Jain Mission
●     Hiroko Sugimoto
●     Sr. Betty Obal, Loretto Community
●     Nurah Ammat’ullah Jeter, Muslim Women’s Institute for Research and Development
●     Sr. Joan Kirby, Tiffany Puett, Alison Van Dyk,   Temple of Understanding

REGISTRATION FORM

Please complete the attached form. There is no fee for the conference but a donation of $50 is requested to cover the cost of food (2 continental breakfasts and two lunches).