Edmonton Named as Partner City with the Council for the Parliament of the World’s Religions

September 21, 2012

The City of Edmonton is the first Canadian city to be accepted as a partner city with the Council for the Parliament of the World’s Religions (PWR). Representatives from PWR presented Mayor Stephen Mandel with the official designation as a partner city.

“We are very proud of our unique history of harmony across the many diverse faiths and cultures in Edmonton,” said Mayor Stephen Mandel. “The designation as a partner city will offer us the opportunity to affirm and celebrate our interfaith community, as well as showcase Edmonton as a world leader in interfaith engagement and harmony on a global stage.”

The Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions is an international organization that works to create harmony and acceptance among the world’s religious and spiritual communities to help foster engagement, peace and sustainability throughout the world. Parliaments, attended by approximately 8,000 people, are held every 5 years. The next one will be in Brussels in 2014.  

In partnership with the Edmonton Interfaith Centre for Education and Action, the City of Edmonton applied to become a partner city last spring. To be accepted as a partner city, municipalities must meet the following criteria:

• Have a population of 150,000 or more and an interreligious dialogue group of 15 or more members representing 6 or more different traditions
• Enjoy active support of government and civic leaders, as well as representatives of guiding institutions
• Demonstrate tangible initiatives, or plans for initiatives, which support and foster interreligious dialogue and social cohesion
• Hold regular meetings to address significant issues of dialogue and social harmony which affect the community and are consistent with the mission of the Council

Other partner cities include Chicago, Illinois; Cape Town, South Africa; Barcelona, Spain; and Melbourne, Australia.

 

For more information:

Melissa Lovatt

Corporate Communications

Title	Senior Communications Advisor
Telephone	780-944-5585 780-719-0544 (cell)