Deep-dish pizza, the Bean, Lake Michigan; Chicago is a hub for travelers looking to experience world-renowned foods, exhibitions and architecture. This year, the bustling city served as the location for the Parliament of the World’s Religions during the week of August 15-18. The parliament is an organization whose goal is to cultivate harmony between the religions and spiritualities of the world and was attended by religious leaders and followers, scholars and Fresno State students.
I was fortunate enough to be one of the six students sponsored by the Department of Philosophy to attend the parliament this year. We were extended the invitation by Dr. Veena Howard, who is the Department of Philosophy chair, director of the M.K. Gandhi Center and a speaker at the parliament. Two of my fellow Fresno State students, Faith Van Hoven and Shailey Shah, were also featured in panels at the parliament.
Dr. Howard presented at a plenary session, two symposiums and four-panel discussions, including one panel with Fresno State student Shailey Shah. Using her experience studying Asian religious traditions, Dr. Howard brought insight to events involving discussions of Food Ethics, Hinduism, Kasturba Gandhi and the Global Ethic. Dr. Andrew Fiala, professor of Philosophy at Fresno State, was also a panelist for two events discussing peace and justice in the contexts of Muslim non-violence and the challenges faced by modern democratic systems.
For me, the parliament was an illuminating opportunity to easily observe, learn and converse about multitudes of religions from scholars and followers. The diverse range of people and events provided many unique experiences for us students, from watching a Vodou exorcism to lunch at a langar (a free community meal provided by practicing Sikhs) with a Hindu priest from the Himalayan Mountains. The parliament was enriching, as it provided an environment for discussion and religious exploration, which I couldn’t have accessed anywhere else. I asked some of my fellow Fresno State students to share their own personal experiences and perspectives on the parliament, and here’s what they had to say:
Faith Van Hoven, philosophy pre-law major
Do you have a favorite memory from the parliament?
My favorite memory from the parliament was witnessing the Opening Plenary as it served as a celebration of the religions coming together.
What was your favorite panel or event?
My favorite panel was the panel I presented on: “Youth Speaks Out About the Global Ethic,” because I got to be a part of something, and it allowed for new voices of the generation to share what they like about such a ground-breaking document as well as its critiques.
Why is it important for students like yourself to attend the parliament?
It is essential for students to attend events like these because it opens doors for students to see what they are pursuing an education for. It also reinvigorates students’ passions for attending college: to get different life experiences.
How did attending the parliament through Fresno State’s philosophy program improve your experience?
Attending the parliament reminded me that life is not all about academic monotony but what academic study can do for you. College is not just about attending your classes but also being engaged in topics that you care about and what to go after.
What panel did you participate in, and what was your role?
I participated in the “Youth Speaks Out About the Global Ethic” panel. I was selected as a representative of Fresno State to review the Global Ethic and provide some insights into its positives and negatives.
What are your reflections as a student panelist?
My reflections as a student panelist are that even though we are young and sometimes overlooked, our perceived naivete gives us a real power in how we view the world. We have control over our optimism and our pessimism because we can enact real change if we try.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The only other thing I would like to add would be a big THANK YOU to everyone who gave us all the opportunity to go to the Parliament of the World’s Religions.
Valentino Di Pietro Hernandez, English creative writing major and philosophy minor
Do you have a favorite memory from the parliament?
For me it was the langar, it was so magical and surreal to me. Another favorite memory was just chilling below the deck on the second day staring out at Lake Michigan.
What was your favorite panel or event?
My favorite event was the virtual reality headset which showed different cultures and ceremonies from around the world. It was a crazy experience. I also liked Faith’s panel.
Why is it important for students like yourself to attend the parliament?
It’s very important for Students (and young people in general) to expand their horizons, and the parliament is a great event that does this. You meet people from across the world, from very different cultures, with very different eyes and thinking, and meeting and talking to these people will expand the world 10,000-percent for these young people. It’s a great character-building event.
How did attending the parliament through Fresno State’s philosophy program improve your experience?
It made everything 100 times better. Going with friends made the whole experience feel like a more freeing camp, and anybody that’s been to camp knows how cool it is.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Going to the Parliament of the World’s Religions was a great experience. I would do it all again if I could.
Shailey Shah, biology major and Spanish minor
Do you have a favorite memory from the parliament?
My favorite part of the parliament was getting to meet people of a variety of ages, cultures, backgrounds and experiences. I truly enjoyed both sharing my perspective on religion and global ethics and learning from those of other individuals.
What was your favorite panel or event?
One of my favorite events was the Women’s Assembly. Although I was not able to attend the full event, I did listen to a few speakers and participate in the empowerment march. It was amazing to see so many powerful women come together and fight for issues such as gender equality and human rights.
Why is it important for students like yourself to attend the parliament?
I truly believe that attending the parliament broadened my worldview and allowed me to understand global issues in a new way. Oftentimes, students find themselves so occupied with schoolwork and co-curriculars that they do not have time to think critically about freedom and human fights. However, by attending the parliament, students are able to take time to explore these issues and connect with individuals of all ages, experiences and backgrounds to gain a deeper understanding of these topics.
How did attending the parliament through Fresno State’s philosophy program improve your experience?
Although I am not a part of the philosophy program at Fresno State, attending the conference alongside other Fresno State students certainly improved my experience. Furthermore, I was able to delve into topics that I do not generally encounter in my biological studies, which made the experience especially enriching.
What panel did you participate in, and what was your role?
I participated in a panel entitled “Ethics and Diplomacy of Food: Wisdom from Mahatma Gandhi and Jain, Jewish, and Sikh Traditions.” I served as a student panelist and offered a Jain perspective on the topic.
What are your reflections as a student panelist?
It was very enriching to participate in the aforementioned panel as a student panelist. For one, I was able to share information regarding Jain food customs and how Jain ideologies provide a framework for sustainable, conscientious food consumption. Additionally, I was able to learn a lot from the other panelists regarding food waste and the role of food in fostering diplomacy.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This conference has certainly enriched my academic career, and I would highly encourage other Fresno State students to go out of their comfort zone and attend.
The Parliament of the World’s Religions was born out of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, where the first parliament was held. The parliament was re-established a century later with the creation of the Global Ethic, a declaration stating universal values and agreeing to basic ethical commitments. Since then, the parliament has been held every 3-5 years in various countries, working towards the goal of promoting inter-religious harmony and understanding.
The College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State 