Religious Leaders Summit – Interfaith Leaders in the G8 Nations
In June, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that from June 21
st to the 23
rd 2010, the G8 Summit would gather in Hunstville, Ontario. Days prior to the Summit, up to a hundred global religious leaders from diverse faiths including Christianity, Judaism, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Islam, Indigenous Spirituality and Shinto traditions will gather for the 5
th G8 Religious Leaders Summit in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The event is being organized by the 2010 Interfaith Partnership, and will bring together leaders from the G8 countries (France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and Africa. The Religious Leaders Summit was organized to compliment the G8 political leaders Summit.
2008 G8 Conference in JapanOver the course of three days, the G8 Religious Leaders Summit will enter into dialogue concerning the Millennium Development Goals adopted by the G8 countries in 2000. The goals include pressing global issues such as eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, promoting gender equality and empowering women, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases, ensuring environmental sustainability, and developing a global partnership for development. All of the Millennium Development Goals are to be achieved by 2015, and have been adopted by 189 nations. The G8 Religious Leaders Summit will address all of the Millennium Development Goals from an
interfaith perspective, drawing upon their respective faiths to find common ground solutions.
“For the first time in recorded history, the religious and political leadership of G8 nations have a common language, for a common agenda, for the advancement of the whole human community rather than for sectarian or political goals,” said James Christie, Secretary General of the 2010 G8 Religious Leaders Summit and Dean of Theology at The University of Winnipeg.
“This is extremely encouraging as we move from theory to practice in attaining the Millennium Development Goals.”
2009 G8 Summit in ItalyInfluential religious leaders have been invited to the 2010 G8 Religious Leaders Summit on behalf of Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, President and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Winnipeg, and the Canadian Council of Churches. It is the first time Canada will host the G8 Religious Leaders Summit, and Dr. Axworthy could not be more pleased that Winnipeg is the host city.
“Winnipeg is recognized as a centre for human rights in Canada” said Axworthy. He is equally excited to have the Summit at the University of Winnipeg saying,
“Through our Global College we are actively nurturing the kind of broad, ethical citizenship epitomized by the G8 Religious Leaders Summit. We are honoured to host this important event on campus.”
The G8 Religious Leaders Summit began as an idea from Jim Wallis with a virtual meeting in Scotland in 2005. The first actual meeting took place in Russia in 2006, followed by Germany in 2007, Japan in 2008, and Italy in 2009. Since 1975, political leaders from the G8 countries have met annually to discuss the world’s toughest issues. 2010 will mark the fifth G8 Summit hosted by Canada since the country joined the international organization in 1976.
Website:
www.faithchallengeg8.com
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