Conversation Leadership Changes
Building on the successful leadership of past Chairs, Karen Hamilton and Gerald Filson, the Canadian Interfaith Conversation (CIC) has established a co-chair working model that will ensure diverse faith community leadership in future. Zul Kassamali, President of 1Naas and Vice President of Association of Progressive Muslims of Canada, and Peter Noteboom, General Secretary at The Canadian Council of Churches, currently serve as Co-chairs.
The CIC came together in 2009 under the dedicated leadership of Dr. Karen Hamilton, General Secretary of the Canadian Council of Churches, to address issues preparatory to the G8 and G20 Summits in Canada. The collaborative effort continued, and in 2012 Dr. Gerald Filson, Director of Public Affairs for The Baha'i Community of Canada, was voted successor Chair. During his devoted leadership term the CIC addressed issues of religious freedom and helped to organize the biennial religious freedom conference, Our Whole Society.
The co-chair working model was first introduced when Zul Kassamali and Aileen van Ginkel, Vice President at The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, were appointed in April 2016. Aileen served as co-chair until April 2020, helping to establish the Canadian Interfaith Research Centre for Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) in her term.
The CIC has voted unanimously for a model of increased cooperation and collaboration. Consistent with its Charter Vision to "promote harmony and spiritual insight among religions and religious communities in Canada", CIC will model that harmony. We commend Mr. Kassamali and Mr. Noteboom and their respective organizations for their willingness to serve.