SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – October 14, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) – An estimated 10,000 people from over 80 countries and 50 different religious and spiritual traditions are gathering in Salt Lake City for a conference this weekend.
The Utah Civil and Compassionate Communities initiative, recently launched by Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, will be featured in several workshops and panels at the Parliament of the World’s Religions, taking place at the Salt Palace October 15-19.
On October 7, Mayor Becker and Lt. Gov Cox officially launched the Utah Civil and Compassionate Communities Initiative, an effort to encourage all Utahns to be more welcoming, inclusive, caring and compassionate.
The launch of the grassroots effort took place one week prior to the convening of the World Parliament of Religions in Salt Lake City, where Karen Armstrong, the founder of the global Compassionate Communities movement, will speak. Armstrong, a noted comparative religion scholar and thought leader, created the Charter for Compassion, a document that calls on communities throughout the world to activate the Golden Rule.
“We are proud, as a community, to join other cities across the country and around the world in pledging our commitment to the Compassionate Communities movement,” said Mayor Becker. “Playing host to this meeting of the Parliament of the World’s Religions is an honor for our City and a reminder to celebrate all that we, as global citizens, have in common with each other and that our collective aspirations really do transcend religious, ideological and national differences.”
Members of the Utah Civil and Compassionate Community Advisory Council, a body made up of leaders representing diverse organizations and communities from around the region will join Mayor Becker and other U.S. mayors and community leaders in several events.
There will be a unique opportunity to hear Armstrong speak in a relatively small venue on Saturday, October 17 at 5 p.m. The renowned thought leader will speak at a special event for the Charter for Compassion International at Wasatch Presbyterian Church in Salt Lake City. (This is a non-Parliament event. Cost is $25.)
Wasatch Presbyterian Church is located at 1626 South 1700 East, Salt Lake City. A special reception with Armstrong, including talk, will take place at the church starting at 3 p.m., minimum donation of $100. Tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets: general at: charterforcompassion.bpt.me and Reception at: compassion.bpt.me.
Conference events are open to registered attendees only. Visit http://www.parliamentofreligions.org/parliament/salt-lake-2015 for registration information.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16:
Tips for Interfaith Leaders
Oct. 16, 12:15–1:45 p.m.
Ballroom E, Salt Palace Convention Center
- Tips for Interfaith Leaders and Citizens: How to Have an Impact on City Hall
- Panelist Mayor Greg Fischer
- Panelist Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson
- Panelist Mayor Ralph Becker
- Panelist Mayor David Formosa
- Moderator Robert Thompson
Description: A panel of mayors will share and interact with Parliament attendees about how to develop strategies and relationships that will have a positive impact on local governments. From hunger to homelessness, from creating communities of safety and social connection to addressing religious discrimination and other issues, participants will engage the Mayors’ panel around the question: How do we organize and strategize in such a way as to have a collaborative impact with our elected officials at the City level?
Following the initial presentation from the panel, participants will be invited to engage in a conversation with the mayors. This program will inspire all who attend to go home and get involved with their interfaith communities to organize for action where they live.
What Makes a City Compassionate?
Oct. 16, 3:45–5:15 p.m.
Exhibit Hall 2, Salt Palace Convention Center
- What Makes a City Compassionate? A Conversation with Mayors
- Panelist Mayor Greg Fischer
- Panelist Mayor Ralph Becker
- Panelist Mayor David Formosa
- Panelist Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson
- Moderator Tom Williams
Description: Seventy cities around the world have endorsed the Charter for Compassion and declared they are “compassionate cities.” Over 250 global communities are actively engaged in endorsing the Charter. Is your community on the list?
Champion of Compassionate Communities, Mayor Greg Fischer of Louisville, Kentucky will open the conversation about his experience and vision as mayor. He will be joined by Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and other mayors in a conversation about what it will take to make our communities/cities cultures of compassion. Mayor Becker will encourage all communities to consider becoming compassionate communities and will also comment on the unique experience Salt Lake City and Utah have had through our Utah Civility and Community Initiative and how we are blending our local initiative and the Global Compassionate Cities movement, both grounded in the Golden Rule.
The Mayors will engage the participants in Q and A around what is needed to create a spirit of social connection and the consciousness of compassion where we live. The global Compassionate Cities organization will present an award to Mayor Becker at that time recognizing Salt Lake City for officially becoming a Compassionate City.
Compassionate Cities Reception
Oct. 16, 5:15–6:30 p.m.
Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (adjacent to the Salt Palace)
Mayor Ralph Becker will welcome mayors, civic and community leaders from around the nation and the world, many of whom are involved in the Compassionate Communities effort.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
Karen Armstrong Lecture
Oct. 17, 5 p.m.
Wasatch Presbyterian Church
1626 South 1700 East, SLC
- Karen Armstrong, the renowned thought leader behind the Charter for Compassion and revival of the Golden Rule, will speak at a special fundraising event for the Charter for Compassion International. This will be a unique opportunity to hear Karen Armstrong speak in a relatively small venue. (This is a non-Parliament event. Cost is $25.)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18
Oct. 18, 1:45–3:15 p.m.
Ballroom F, Salt Palace Convention Center
- Implementing a Civil and Compassionate Cities Initiative in Your Community
Description: Representatives of Compassionate Cities will share their experience of initiating efforts in their own cities. Salt Lake City will tell the story of the genesis of the Utah Civil and Compassionate Communities initiative through its previous manifestation as Utah Civility and Community in 2011. Representatives of the Global Compassionate Cities movement will be present to brainstorm about what might be possible as cities embrace the Charter for Compassion and implement a Compassionate Cities initiative.
