Interfaith Dialogue 2002

The Role and Responsibility of Religion in The Contemporary World

Ball room of Prague Castle, July 3, 2002, 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

The Forum 2000 Foundation and President Václav Havel are launching a new project entitled "Bridging Global Gaps (BGG)." BGG draws upon the tradition of the Forum 2000 conferences, which took place in Prague between the years 1997 and 2001. It aims at promoting understanding and providing space for dialogue among various actors in the globalized society.

As an important part of the Forum 2000 gatherings, Interfaith Assemblies were held annually at St. Vitus Cathedral, pointing out the responsibility of different religions in the contemporary world. During last year's conference, Václav Havel, in his Message to the Representatives of World Religions, called for a Grand Spiritual Coalition. The meeting, "The Role and Responsibility of Religion in the Contemporary World," is meant to be a first step in fulfilling this idea.

The roundtable should address the following concerns:

  • To what extent are contemporary globalization processes influencing and changing the relationships among religions? What should be the basis for relations among religions in today‘s world?
  • How, and to what extent, is it possible to minimize the abuse of religious ideas and symbols that are used to justify intolerance and conflict in the contemporary world?
  • What are some positive examples of understanding and cooperation among those who practice different religions and how can these positive examples be encouraged in the future?
  • Can we expect a consensus among the representatives of the world's religions in the process of formulating basic ethical values? Can cooperation among the world's religions contribute to the promotion of a "moral minimum" in the documents of international organizations and in the sphere of international law?

Such a broad range of issues cannot be resolved in one meeting, or even in a dozen. However, building bridges between religions is building bridges between cultures. It is a process with no end. Providing space for such a dialogue is characteristic of Prague; it has been at the crossroads between cultures, religions, and ideas for centuries. And Prague will always welcome those who share the will to make a difference.


Transcript


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Previous years

2010
Interfaith Dialogue 2010
October 11, 2010 - October 12, 2010
2009
Interfaith Dialogue 2009
October 9, 2009 - October 9, 2009
2007
Interfaith Dialogue 2007
October 9, 2007 - October 9, 2007
2006
Interfaith Dialogue 2006
July 3, 2006 - July 4, 2006
2004
Interfaith Dialogue 2004
July 3, 2004 - July 4, 2004
2003
Interfaith Dialogue 2003
July 3, 2003 - July 4, 2003
2001
Interfaith Dialogue 2001
October 16, 2001 - October 17, 2001
2000
Interfaith Dialogue 2000
October 17, 2000 - October 18, 2000
1999
Interfaith Dialogue 1999
October 12, 1999 - October 13, 1999
1998
Interfaith Dialogue 1998
October 12, 1998 - October 13, 1998
1997
Interfaith Dialogue 1997
September 5, 1997 - September 6, 1997