About IION

For a just and peaceful world, the International Interfaith Organisations Network (IION) provides a forum for the participating organisations to share information, challenges and solutions and support each other
The importance of interfaith co-operation in tackling the major issues of today, such as religiously motivated violence, global warming and the poverty and injustice from which so many people suffer is widely recognised. The International Interfaith Organisations Network ensures co-operation between the major global interfaith bodies so that their work is as effective as possible and costly duplication is avoided.
Member organisations meet annually and keep in touch in between meetings. Several organisations have shared in joint projects.
IION is serviced by the International Interfaith Centre at Oxford, UK.

Historical background:

In March 2001, IIC convened a meeting in Oxford for representatives from 14 international interfaith organisations to discuss enhanced communication and co-operation. Delegates came from the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions, International Association for Religious Freedom, International Interfaith Centre, Interfaith Youth Core, Millennium World Peace Summit for Religious and Spiritual Leaders, Minorities of Europe, Peace Council, Temple of Understanding, United Nations Spiritual Forum for World Peace Initiative, United Religions Initiative, World Conference on Religion and Peace, World Congress of Faiths, World Faiths Development Dialogue, and World Fellowship of Inter-religious Councils. Invited facilitators and resource persons came from the World Interfaith Congress, Soul for Europe, Interfaith Network of the UK, and the Alliance for a Responsible, Plural and United World. All agreed to form a new networking relationship (co-ordinated by IIC). After 9/11, the IION issued a joint statement. In August 2002, representatives met in Budapest after the IARF International Congress. In September 2003 in Oxford. During the Parliament of World Religions in Barcelona in 2004 the network organisations met informally. In March 2005 there was a full network meeting in Oxford. Representatives of IION member organisations met in Oxford, between 24 and 27 April 2006. During the conference, we were delighted to welcome John Battle MP as a speaker. The University Church of St Mary the Virgin, held a reception for the IION to which members of the University and the local faith communities were invited. 2007 A meeting was held in Oxford, followed by a public meeting at St James’ Palace, London. The main themes were interfaith work at the UN and plans for the next Parliament of Religions.

One Response to “About IION”

  1. Tribute to Father Berry « International Interfaith Organisations Network Says:
    July 1, 2009 at 4:05 pm | Reply

    [...] are also happy to direct your attention to the Thomas Berry Award and Memorial Service (listed below).  The website and this Memorial Service are two among many ways to honor Thomas’ legacy [...]

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