g About us - World Congress of Faiths

 

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ABOUT WCF

Image What is the World Congress of Faiths?

The World Congress of Faiths (WCF) has its origin in the Congress, organised by Sir Francis Younghusband, which took place in London in 1936. The organisation's constitution uses its fuller title of 'The World Congress of Faiths (The Inter-Faith Fellowship)'. A frequently used WCF slogan has been 'Faith Meeting Faith: a rich resource for life'. During WCF's 75 years there have been reassessments and restatements of its raison d'être from time to time. This present statement reflects the continuation of that process in the reappraisal conducted by the Executive Committee during 2010/11.
Fundamental to the character of WCF is that it is an individual membership organisation, not a representative body, though some members may fulfil a representative role within their faith communities. Membership is open to all who share the organisation's aims and ideals. Thus adherents of any variety of faith, belief or spirituality, provided that it is consistent with the aims and ideals of WCF, might in principle be found among the membership. This affords WCF a considerable freedom to explore both the challenges and the enrichments that arise from the interaction of diverse traditions of faith and belief, and to learn more about them; and the organisation sees itself as offering to its membership opportunities for spiritual growth through multi-faith engagement.
This openness to diverse strands of faith and spirituality is balanced by WCF's commitment to respect the integrity of the world faith traditions. It sees its role as contributing to both the identification of shared values and the clarification of essential differences in order that mutual trust and understanding among faith communities may be strengthened. In furtherance of these aims, WCF is alert to opportunities to develop partnerships with relevant institutions in higher education and theological training as well as with agencies seeking common action on issues of peace, justice and ecology.
As an inter faith organisation based in Britain, WCF relates in particular to Baha'i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and Zoroastrian faith traditions, all of which bring with them an international dimension. Assisted by its international membership - in which all 5 continents are represented - WCF also seeks to participate in international inter faith activities, and thereby to develop a broader and richer perspective.

Image Who are we?

A member of WCF is typically a person who is committed to one or other of the world faith traditions, but who nonetheless expects to benefit from the challenges and enrichments offered by engagement with diverse traditions of faith and belief.

Image What does it do?

The World Congress of Faiths publishes the leading journal on interfaith matters Interreligious Insight. It arranges a variety of conferences, meetings, retreats, visits and group travel. All these provide occasions to learn what others believe, what they think about life today and how they pray, meditate and worship. Some meetings are of special interest to teachers or to health and social workers. WCF also provides a chance for members of local interfaith groups to meet people from different parts of the country and the world who share their concern.

Image  What are its beliefs?

The World Congress of Faiths believes that understanding between people of different religions is important for good community relations, for moral and spiritual renewal and for world peace. A principle is respect for those of differing faith. WCF by its educational work encourages interfaith understanding and co-operation at all levels of society.

Image  Who else does it work with?

WCF is a member of the Inter Faith Network (UK) and works with other interfaith organizations in Britain and across the world. WCF has helped to establish the International Interfaith Centre at Oxford and works closely with the London Interfaith Centre. It has good relations with many faith communities.

Image  Who are the Executive?

The members of the Executive of WCF are drawn from all major religious communities in Britain.