1993 Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago records

Collection

Identifier: MSS0077

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The 1993 Parliament of World’s Religions in Chicago records document the logistics undertaken to plan the conference and celebration. The collection contains a complete run of the NEWSLETTER/CPWR Journal, publications, committee files, correspondence, organizational records, a signed copy of the Global Ethic, and press clippings. Also included are posters, souvenirs, and audio-visual media created for and during the parliament. Hank Jacobsen and Francine Salerno’s photographs document attendees present at the 1993 parliament. Materials about the incorporation of the Council for the Parliament of World’s Religions, development of the organization’s logo, and meeting minutes of the Executive and Research Committees are also part of this collection.

Dates

1983-1999
Majority of material found in 1993

Creator

Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research use.

Biographical / Historical

According to its website, the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions (CPWR) was officially established in 1988 when two monks from the Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago suggested organizing a centennial celebration of the 1893 World’s Parliament of Religions, held in Chicago in conjunction with the Columbian Exposition. The Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions incorporated as a non-profit organization dedicated to extending the spirit and legacy of the original event through subsequent Parliaments of the World's Religions. In 1993, the Parliament of the World's Religion's was convened in Chicago, with 8000 people from all over the world coming together to celebrate diversity and harmony and to explore religious and spiritual responses to critical issues. At the 1993 Parliament, an assembly of religious and spiritual leaders gave assent to a groundbreaking document: "Towards a Global Ethic: And Initial Declaration." The Declaration is a powerful statement of the ethical common ground shared by the world's religious and spiritual traditions.

Extent

16 Linear Feet (78 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The 1993 Parliament of World’s Religions records are arranged into 6 series: 1. Publications; 2. Administration; 3. Biographies; 4. Parliament Planning; 5. Parliament Presentations; 6. Memorabilia. Each series is divided into multiple subseries. Arrangement was imposed during processing.

Physical Location

3/26/A-C

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Accession 1994.10; 1994.12; 1994.13; 1994.14; 1994.15; 1994.21; 1998.32

Related Materials

1993 Parliament of the World’s Religions; ARCPWR. 291.06 N716W1993; The closing plenary address by H.H. the Dalai Lama; SPC.VIDEOCAS. 291 B916C1993; Peace like a river: the 1993 Parliament of the World's Religions; SPC.VIDEOCAS. 291 P252P1994