(New York) NAEIS and NAIN, two North American organizations drawing members from numerous world religions and faith traditions held their first joint conference “Connecting Partners: Enlarging the Circle” July 24-27 at Soka Gakkai International in NYC. NAIN also launched its first-ever International Interfaith Film Festival, with screenings of 11 films in multiple New York locations. Film Awards were given for best feature length, documentary, and overall best submission.
Diana Eck, Harvard Professor and Director of the Pluralism Project, which seeks to provide a state by state mapping of successful religious partnerships, gave the opening remarks about “The Interfaith Movement and the American City.” Gillian Sorenson from the UN Foundation delivered the keynote address at the NAIN film awards ceremony and banquet enroute to the Democratic convention in Boston. Menachem Daum’s Hiding and Seeking, a film on faith and tolerance after the Holocaust, received top awards.
The goals and mission of the Barcelona Report for the Parliament of World Religions held earlier this month were furthered through multiple workshops and presentations, and worship. A consistent theme throughout was the inescapable violence and unrest in the 21st Century done “in the name of God.” While there are many causes and explanations, it was clear that world religions need to participate in interreligious dialogue and interfaith actions in order to work for justice and peace, while maintaining integrity and accountability. To that end, Tatiana Androsov, Jay Cuasay, and Stacy Smith received conference scholarships acknowledging the interfaith work of young adults in their communities and tapping their potential. Dr. Eboo Patel, head of the Interfaith Youth Core in Chicago was also awarded the first NAIN Networking and Advocacy Award for his work.
More information available at the NAIN website: http://www.nain.org/
