Creating our Future: Visioning a Sustainable, Compassionate World
1:00 p.m. Sunday, 4 February, 2018
David Lam Auditorium, MacLaurin Building, University of Victoria
How can the sacred wisdom of the diverse peoples of the world assist us in building a sane, peaceful, compassionate world civilization?
To be held in honour of UN World Interfaith Harmony Week and the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Creating the Future is co-sponsored by UVic Multifaith Services and VMS. It will feature a diverse panel drawn from the world’s great spiritual traditions, storytelling, song, displays and refreshments.
Seventy years ago, the UN General Assembly, echoing the strongest values of our spiritual traditions, proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This ground-breaking document speaks of “the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.”
For all our amazing material progress, since the time of the Declaration in 1948, we’ve slid towards insularity, polarizing ideologies, and ecological crisis. Our increasing inter-connectedness has forced the issue of ethics. As noted by human rights lawyer Payam Akhavan in the most recent series of CBC Massey Lectures, “our survival depends on acceptance of a transcendent ethos of human dignity for all.”
Panelists from 8 spiritual traditions will give succinct 7-minute presentations on the question: “What teachings from your tradition can help to guide our vision of a sustainable and compassionate world?”, followed by a 20-minute Q & A period. Interspersed throughout the program will be storytelling, song, and displays, with an opportunity for mingling and refreshments at the end. All are welcome. Free parking on Sundays.