Sunday, November 26, 2023

Lazaridis Auditorium, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo

THEME: Healing a Polarized World

OPENING SESSION

12:30p Doors Open
          — Welcome and Registration
          — Visit to World Religions Displays

12:40p Opening World Religions Multi Media Presentation

12:45p Welcome by the Presiding Chair
          — Mike Morrice, MP for Kitchener-Centre

12:51p Opening Reading from a Holy Scripture

1:05p  Opening Ceremony
          — Introduction of Speakers and Dignitaries
          — Unveiling of the World Religions Conference Plaque
          — Singing of O'Canada - National Anthem of Canada - Grand Phil Harmonic Choir (Kitchener)

12:58p Introductory Remarks
          — Lal Khan Malik, National President, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at Canada

1:01p  Speaker’s Introductory Teaser Remarks

1:02p — Buddhism: Ven Kalubowila Ananda - Cambridge
1:05p — Islam: Imam Aizaz Khan - Vaughan
1:08p — Sikhism: Prof. Komal Kaur - Cambridge
1:11p — Judaism: Dr. Karen Mock - Toronto
1:14p — Christianity: Dr. John Milloy - Conestoga
1:17p — Hinduism: Chander Khanna - Toronto
1:20p — Indigenous: Prof. Malcolm Saulis - Ottawa
1:23p — Humanism: Katherine Dimou - Waterloo

1:26p Messages and Greetings from Guest Dignitaries — Local, Regional, Provincial and National Leaders

— Honourable Bardish Chagger, MP for Waterloo
— Mike Schreiner, MPP for Guelph
— Karen Redman, Chair, Region of Waterloo
— Dr Kristine Lund, Principal-Dean Martin Luther University College
— TBA

1:40 — Complimentary Refreshments

THEME SESSION - "Healing a Polarized World"

Speakers present his/her view of their respective faith on the theme (10 minutes each). Each presentation will be followed by a presentation of recitation from the Holy Scriptures (3 minutes).

2:05p Introduction to the Theme Session — Moderator

2:07p Buddhist Perspective — Ven Kalubowila Ananda - Cambridge
2:17p Buddhist Holy Scripture Recitation — Buddhist Community

2:20p Islamic Perspective — Imam Aizaz Khan - Vaughan
2:30p Islamic Holy Scripture Recitation — Muslim Community

2:33p Sikh Perspective — Prof. Komal Kaur - Cambridge
2:43p Sikh Holy Scripture Recitation — Sikh Community

2:46p Judaic Perspective — Dr. Karen Mock - Toronto
2:56p Jewish Holy Scripture Recitation — Jewish Community

2:59p Christian Perspective — Dr. John Milloy - Conestoga
3:09p Christian Holy Scripture Recitation — Christian Community

3:12p Hindu Perspective — Chander Khanna - Toronto
3:22p Hindu Holy Scripture Recitation — Hindu Community

3:25p Indigenous Perspective — Prof. Malcolm Saulis - Ottawa
3:35p Indigenous Holy Scripture Recitation — Indigenous Community

3:38p Humanist Perspective — Katherine Dimou - Waterloo
3:48p Secular Presentation — Humanist Community

3:51p Coffee Break — Complimentary Refreshments and Social

INTERACTIVE & CONCLUDING SESSION

4:15p Introduction to the Q/A Session — Moderator

4:18p Open Question & Answer Session — with all speakers of different faiths and philosophies

5:03p Vote of Thanks - Recognition of Speakers and Volunteers — Shahab Khokhar, President WRC Organizing Committee

5:06p Closing Remarks — Moderator & Chair

5:08p Silent Multi-Faith Prayer — All Faiths

5:09p Dinner and Social

(* The order of presentations was determined via random draw at the last World Religions Conference, held Oct 17, 2021)

As traditional, the World Religions Conference food organizing committee has made arrangements for all guests of the conference to an attractive refreshments and dinner menu at the venue of the conference at the upcoming 41st World Religions Conference for November 26, 2023.

Refreshments - 1st Break at @1:40 pm ; 2nd Break at 3:50 pm

Dinner Service @ 5:00 pm

Famous WRC Samosas

Assorted Pastries: Cinnamon buns, Danishes, Croissants, Mini Muffins

Dinner Service Menu

Pizza Hut: Vegetarian Pan Pizzas

Beverages:

An assortment of Orange Pekoe and Fair Trade Herbal Teas.

Ice Water and Fruit Punch

Carafe Fair Trade Coffee

Note: Refreshments and dinner provided at no cost by the premier sponsor of the conference.

[Disclaimer: Refreshments and Dinner Menu subject to change by event organizers]

Prestigious
Lazaridis Auditorium
Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

64 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C7

Venue of the 41st World Religions Conference

Lazaridis Auditorium Hall is the newest building on Wilfrid Laurier University's Waterloo Campus. The $103.7 million building is LEED Gold Certified and has earned numerous awards and international recognition. Thanks to the atrium’s tremendous glass dome roof, the interior spaces of Lazaridis Hall are filled with natural light that bounces off the beautiful wooden features to create a warm and inviting space.

The twin cities of Kitchener-Waterloo are located less than one hour west of Toronto -- Canada's largest city -- and a couple of hours from the American cities of Detroit and Buffalo via highway 401. 

World Religions Conference Complementary Parking Arrangement

Sunday, November 26, 2023

Parking Lot 32 is the most convenient parking lot, which will be free for conference attendees at Wilfrid Laurier University.

To attend the World Religions Conference on Sunday November 26, 2023 afternoon, there is free parking for any of the gold and white permit parking lots on campus. The most convenient ones would be lot 32 or Lot 37 that are behind Lazaridis Auditorium (off of Balsam St or Hickory St W).

You may also park anywhere on Laurier campus on any gold and white permit parking lots with the exception noted below. 

Please note that Parking lots 4, 12, 20 & 33 on Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo not free are pay-and-display.

Parking at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church: You may also park at the St. Michael's Church parking that is adjacent to the Lazaridis Auditorium Parking. St. Michael's Church is located at 80 University Avenue.

 About Lazaridis Auditorium, Wilfrid Laurier University:

Following is a line up of distinguished speakers and scholars chosen to represent different faiths & philosophies at the 41st World Religions Conference on Sunday, November 26, 2023

The theme for this year's event is "Healing a Polarized World". 

	Moderator Mike Morrice (MP) - Kitchener An impartial event host, Mike is the MP for Kitchener Centre. Spent his career bringing people together with a proven record of introducing ambitious ideas. Founder of Sustainable Waterloo Region, ClimateActionWR, and Canada’s first Green Economy Hub. Served on Kitchener Housing and the KW Awesome Foundation. Named Young Alumnus of the Year by Laurier, Young Entrepreneur of the Year, received a Special Citation for Social Entrepreneurship, and was named an Ashoka Fellow.
	Representing Buddhism Ven. Kalubowila Ananda – Cambridge A profound thinker, transitioned from a successful career in chemical engineering and entrepreneurship to become a Buddhist monk in 2018. Venerable Ananda explored meditation and philosophy under the guidance of various Buddhist monks and Vedic scholars. Currently, he serves as a resident monk and a director at the Waterloo Wellington Buddhist Monastery, offering Buddhist discourse and meditation to promote mindfulness and spiritual growth.
	Representing Islam Imam Aizaz Khan – Vaughan Prolific speaker and a learned scholar of Islam. Imam of Baitul Islam Mosque, one of the largest mosques in North America located in Vaughan. Aizaz is a graduate from the Institute of Islamic Studies Toronto. Serving as a Missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at. Served in Benin (West Africa), Cayman Islands and at MTA International, the community's 24/7 Islamic TV channel. Frequently appears in interfaith discussion and events across Canada.
	Representing Sikhism Prof. Komal Kaur – Cambridge Spiritually attuned and culturally curious explorer.  Prof. Kaur is committed to bridging cultures and communities through education. Currently a teacher at Conestoga College where she has made a significant impact supporting student learning and engagement of all religious and cultural backgrounds. Enjoys serving the local Sikh community, singing hymns from the Sikh Scriptures, volunteering at camps, and helping with food drives for those in need.
	Representing Judaism Dr. Karen Mock - Toronto Engaging speaker, Human Rights Consultant and educational psychologist, Karen was the Executive Director, Canadian Race Relations Foundation, and League for Human Rights of B'nai Brith. Widely published on multiculturalism, anti-racism, equity, and hate crime. Active with Canadian Assoc. of Jews and Muslims, Arab Jewish Dialogue, and Enhancing Social Justice Education Group. Chair of the Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy, and Member of the Order of Canada.
	Representing Christianity Dr. John Milloy - Conestoga Accomplished writer and scholar, John is the Director of the Centre for Public Ethics at Martin Luther University College. Former Ontario Cabinet Minister, and member of Prime Minister Chrétien’s Senior Staff. Graduate of Carleton, the London School of Economics and Oxford. A frequent commentator on Christianity and politics, particularly in our divided nation. His most recent book is ‘Politics and Faith in a Polarized World: A Challenge for Catholics.’
	Representing Hinduism Chander Khanna – Toronto Scholar on Hinduism, Chander is the VP of the Hindu Institute of Learning. Serves on the Spiritual Committee of the Associations of Himalayan Yoga Meditation Societies. Convener of the Sanskrit Vidya Parishad Lectures. Founding member of the Toronto Local Societies Initiative under a Templeton Foundation Grant. Contributing Editor of the Interfaith Unity News. Given keynote addresses on Eastern Philosophical traditions and has participated in symposiums in several countries.
	Representing Indigenous Faiths Prof. Malcolm Saulis - Ottawa A Well-famed Traditional Aboriginal Spiritual Teacher and Speaker. Malcolm is a Wolostoquk (Maliseet) person from the Tarique First Nation. He has been a Wilfrid Laurier professor for 35 years and a researcher in many areas of Indigenous interest. He is recognized as Circle Keeper and received teachings from many Elders. He has worked with churches and government around issues of healing and reconciliation, restorative justice, residential school survivors and indigenization.
	Representing Humanism (Atheist & Agnostics) Katherine Dimou - Waterloo Dedicated to Humanist principles and social justice.  Katherine's work is reflected in her work as a licensed Humanist Officiant. Creating and officiating loving, meaningful, and respectful ceremonies for marriages, baby welcomings, and memorials, in her position as President of the Society of Freethinkers, and as a past Humanist Canada Board Director. Holds a MBA and is a skilled college instructor, teaching English, office administration, and customer relations.