Intersections Facilitates U.S. Delegation to World Religious Conference

News_08.09_World-Religious-Conference
The Rev. Leonid Kishkovsky, Ms. Debbie Almontaser, Intersections' Sara Reef, the Rev. Dr. Bernice Powell Jackson and Intersections' C. Eduardo Vargas outside the Third Triennial Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana, Kazakhstan.

“My colleagues and I were compelled to raise awareness of the absence of two important voices: women and youth, two very important stakeholders in the dialogue equation, in addition to men.”

By Joseph Ward
Wednesday, September 9, 2009

An Intersections' sponsored multi-faith U.S. delegation attended the Third Triennial Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held July 1-2 in Astana, Kazakhstan. The conference focused on moral and intellectual values, universal ethics, dialogue and cooperation, and the role of religious leaders in building a world based on tolerance, mutual respect and cooperation.

“As American interfaith leaders, I felt we represented the U.S. pluralistic society we all value," said Debbie Almontaser, a consultant on cultural/religious diversity issues for the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, NYPD and City Council. "Our task was to share our expertise with conference goers in a way that was inclusive and inviting for others to learn from us.”

While religious pluralism was evident amongst world delegations, the role of youth and women were lacking from the overall conversation. “Our delegation was the only multi-faith delegation, trying to be faithful to the intent of the meeting and to the diversity of our country," said the Rev. Dr. Bernice Powell Jackson, North American president of the World Council of Churches. “We had two women in our delegation; the role of women apparently has been somewhat limited in the past.”

In addition to Jackson and Almontaser, the U.S. delegation also included the Rev. Leonid Kishkovsky, director of external affairs and interchurch relations for the Orthodox Church in America, and president of Christian Churches Together. “As a delegation, I... remain hopeful that all of our suggestions will be taken in serious consideration with the help of Intersections International.”

One of the ideas presented was to create sustainable working groups focusing on environmental issues, women, and youth. The groups would be comprised of different global religious leaders and would address issues affecting the world’s religious community, as well as issues that have not been addressed in previous Kazakhstani forums. “I believe the [Kazakhstanis] will be urged by many to take the work of the Congress to the next level: to strategic action, in addition to the important dialogue which has taken place in the past,” said Jackson.

Almontaser concluded, "there are things we have in the U.S. that we take for granted, such as having a voice or a place at the table. As a Muslim-American interfaith organizer, I found myself struggling in Kazakhstan with not having the privileges I have been so accustomed to having in the U.S.”

Intersection Project Managers C. Eduardo Vargas and Sara Reef accompanied the delegation to Astana. Click here to read their reflections on the Interfaith Congress.