Parliament of Religions

The world's largest interreligious event, the Parliament of Religions got its start at the Chicago Columbian Exposition of 1893. Swami Vivekananda delivered a significant keynote address and the event was recognized as the first formal meeting of the religious East and West.

As of 2009 five events have been held in Chicago, Cape Town, Barcelona, Monterrey. The sixth major Parliament gathering will be held in Melbourne 2009, from December 3rd - 9th.

The them of this year's event is "Hearing each other, healing the earth," and 8-10,000 participants from over 80 countries will attend over 500 events including observances, panel discussions, musical performances, art installments, lectures, seminars, plenary sessions. Major speakers include Prof. Wande Abimbola, Mrs. Lally Lucretia M. Warren, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and many others.