International Interfaith Organisations Network (IION)
Aims of the 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.
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.
Membership of the IION:
Member organisations should be International Interfaith Organisations, the controlling body of which should generally represent at least three distinct religions, or be a national interfaith network.
Organisations can apply or be nominated. They must subsequently be proposed and seconded by member organisations. If your organisation wishes to apply for membership of the IION, in the first instance please contact the IIC.Present members of the IION are:
Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions
International Association for Religious Freedom
International Interfaith Centre
Millennium World Peace Summit for Religious and Spiritual Leaders
North American Interfaith Network
Spiritual Forum for World Peace at the United Nations
World Conference on Religion and Peace
World Faiths Development Dialogue
World Fellowship of Inter-religious Councils
Role of IIC with respect to the IION:
The formation and facilitating of the IION is a part of the mission statement of the IIC.
*The IIC is committed to act as secretariat for an annual meeting in a place designated by members. The 2007 meeting will take place between 18-21 March at New College, Oxford University, UK.
*The IIC will ensure the efficient communication between member organisations of their respective activities, primarily through maintaining an e-mail group of designated executive members from organisation.