Our Whole Society

2025 Our Whole Society Conference

On June 15-17, The Canada Interfaith Conversation will present the 2025 iteration of the Our Whole Society Conference under the theme: "Our Whole Society: Fostering Hope in a Divided World." Hosted at the Canada Museum for Human Rights, this conference will explore insights from diverse faith traditions and secular perspectives and will be a forum for sharing the grassroots experiences of individuals making positive contributions to Canadian society. The conference will examine sources of hope in relation to major themes of importance to Canadian society such as reconciliation, polarization, healthcare, education, climate change, and emerging technologies.

The world today faces numerous crises. Climate change, violence, and increased political and economic instability, among other calamities, threaten our society and even our planet. In Canada, the effects of rising polarization and complex challenges related to housing, healthcare, and emerging technologies are also keenly felt by individuals and communities. When faced with the limitations of institutional responses to these multiplying crises, many have turned inwards out of a sense of despair. In this context, addressing collective challenges such as the promotion of basic human rights and democracy both at home and globally, becomes increasingly difficult.

Amid this turmoil, we are a society in desperate need of hope. Not a passive optimism by which we ignore the seriousness of our situation and live in the naive belief that challenges will be resolved on their own. No, we need a sense of hope that acknowledges our current reality with total honesty and encourages us to address these challenges through collective, collaborative, and sustained responses that will leave us strengthened and more unified. We need hope that is grounded in the shared experiences of many who find signs of positive social transformation in their bridge-building and community work. 

The 2025 conference, “Our Whole Society: Fostering Hope in a Divided World,” will explore sources of hope that inspire action in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. What conceptions of hope encourage and sustain collective action? How do we recognize the gravity of challenges before humanity while working toward a more positive collective future? What understandings of hope can we draw upon to meet the most pressing demands of our time?

More soon

Our Whole Society: Finding Common Ground in a Time of Polarization
May 7-9, 2023, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario

Registration: bit.ly/3R3d0UR (in-person or online)

Explore how to address the causes of division within our society and how to foster dialogue, justice and find common ground in Canadian civil society along with academic, community & religious leaders.

Polarization is a growing challenge in Canada. Over the past several years there have been new and deepening divisions across the country as we increasingly group people into “us” and “them” often fueled by social media and other technologies. We see it in political debates and discussions around public policy when racism and religious intolerance present some of their ugliest manifestations.

How can Canadians respond constructively in the face of disagreement? How do Canadians maintain an open and pluralistic society where different voices are welcome to contribute to a vibrant public sphere? How will voices of spirituality, faith and religion be a source of insight to address these challenges?

Discuss the issues confronting civil society with Elizabeth May, founding member of the All-Party Parliamentary Interfaith Caucus and leader of the Green Party of Canada, Prof. Miroslav Volf, Yale Divinity School, Director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture, Prof. John Milloy, Martin Luther University College, Director of the Centre for Public Ethics, Dr. Carmen Celestini, University of Waterloo and Fellow with the Centre on Hate, Prof. Ahmed Al-Rawi Simon Fraser University, Director of the Disinformation Project and Dr. Jaspreet Bal Centennial College, Chair of Child and Family Studies and Board Member of the World Sikh Organization (Canada) amongst others.

The Conference will also be informed by the work of Canada-wide organizations with Dr. Jack Jebwad, President, Canadian Association for Canadian Studies, Nuzhat Jafri, Exec. Dir. of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women, Mohammed Hashim, Exec. Dir. of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, Bob Watts, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, Stephen Brown Exec. Dir. of the National Council of Canadian Muslims and Bruce Clemenger, Exec Dir. of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.

On the evening of May 8, Martin Luther University College's Inshallah Interfaith Choir under the direction of Dr. Debbie Lou Ludolph will lead conference participants in an arts-based interfaith workshop, designed as a space to hold in tension radically dissenting views.

The early bird rate is $99.00 by February 28 which includes 2 days of key note addresses, seminars, workshops and lunches. Starting March 1 the cost of registration is $125.00 For more information and registration please go to: bit.ly/3R3d0UR