Critical Need and the Role of Religion 
All of humankind's diverse past histories are now converging toward one shared future history. In this world of increasing globalization and interdependence, the human family faces new challenges for which old systems are inadequate and new ones have to be created. Our common good requires that we work together to develop a global ethic and humane systems of global governance. For good or ill, war or peace, religions have been a powerful force in shaping past cultures and history. They are carriers of the collective wisdom, myths, symbols, archetypes, stories, and rituals that forge a people's sense of identity and affect their behavior. Through the lens of their religious beliefs, people interpret their experience, define life's meaning, deal with suffering, and develop concepts of justice. Through religion they maintain norms that govern their relationships, shape their communities, and develop a vision containing the values, hopes and motivations that inspire work for a preferred future. Religions can divide people. But at its truest, deepest core of wisdom, religions are a source of unitive experience, helping people to transcend cultural, geographic, social, economic, and other differences. To help build peace in a divided world, people of diverse religions must develop mutual understandings, a shared vision, and common strategies while maintaining their unique identities. They can use their institutional resources and influence to foster a global spirituality and prepare globally-minded leaders dedicated to promoting the well-being of all people, especially poor and marginalized people, and ecological integrity. Response: The Religion and World Order Program (RWOP)
From its beginning, GEA has included multi-religious perspectives and dialog as a strong aspect of its vision, strategies, and programs. The current Religion and World Order Program, a project of the Religion Council of Project Global 2000 which GEA coordinates, continues and builds on this history. Launched in 1991, RWOP involves men and women from diverse religious traditions in contributing from their best spiritual wellsprings toward the cooperative development of a shared global ethic and more just, humane and ecologically responsive global systems. Participants in the Program are engaged in multi-religious analysis of existing global systems, and the development of visions and strategies for more humane and effective global systems. The program aims to link human and institutional resources within religious communities with each other and with civil society and UN agencies in collaborative research, education, leadership-training, and social and economic development initiatives at local, national, and transnational levels. Objectives of RWOP
Create a process for religious and spiritual communities to reflect upon the contributions their respective traditions, sacred texts, ethical systems, and lived experience can make to a shared global ethic and the creation of just, humane, and ecologically sustainable systems of global governance. Promote and use their documents to prepare and motivate members of their traditions to participate in the discussions and debates on global economic and ecological interdependence and in initiatives and programs to implement the values and proposals presented in the documents. Link human and institutional resources of the respective religious communities with each other and with secular non-governmental and United Nations agencies in collaborative research, education, leadership training, and social and economic development initiatives at local, national, and transnational levels. Some Recent Achievements and Activities
 | Endorsed by UNESCO (1993) | | Presentations made at two UNESCO conferences on the Contribution of
Religions to a Culture of Peace (1993, 1994) | | Formed a distinguished International Advisory Council of religious leaders. | | Engaged a distinguished group of scholars from diverse traditions in
research and writing based on the Guideline Questions. | | Organized a series of symposia on Religion and World Order based on
the Guideline Questions: | Washington DC, 1994 (proceedings published & disseminated by GEA) Istanbul, 1996 (at Habitat II) Maryknoll, May 1997 (co-sponsored by Maryknoll & Fordham's Institute on Religion and Culture) | Published statement and background article in May-August 1997 issues
of Breakthrough News. | | Edit May 1997 papers and make them available on WWW, as desired by authors. | Future Plans
Publish a book by the end of 1999 based on the content of the May 1997 Symposium. To participate in the RWO Program
Use the Guideline Questions as a process in which to consider anew your tradition's contribution to a world which is entering a globally interdependent era. (Send your response to GEA) Directory
Religion & World Order Papers
Various authors. Religion & World Order Program: Rationale and Context
by Patricia and Gerald Mische Guideline Questions
Religion and World Order Documents 1994 Symposium Proceedings
Includes Table of Contents Statement by Participants
Religion & World Order Symposium, May 1997 List of Participants
Religion & World Order Symposium, May 1997 |
