7-31 JULY 2008 

Multi-faith and multicultural contexts have become the evident marks of our time all over the world. The monolithic and compact society created on the old pattern "one nation, one language, one culture and one religion" is rapidly becoming a relic of the past. Today, people of different faiths, cultures and races live side by side and struggle together with the many challenges of our time. Faced with these new realities, churches have started to reflect afresh on Christian identity as an identity in relation to others and to the whole of creation. Similar shifts in the definition of religious identity are taking place in many faith communities. 

To respond to such challenges of living peacefully in a world of religious plurality and to prepare the future generation of leaders in churches, other faith communities, and in society at large, Bossey is offering annually a one-month-long programme entitled Building an Interfaith Community. During July 2008, about 30 participants, aged 25-35, from Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities from different parts of the world are expected to participate. For one month, the students will live together within the Bossey community. In the future, both the number of participants and the diversity of the faith communities will be expanded. 

The programme will consist of formal lectures given by specialists from Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities, panels, group discussions and workshops. The goal of this programme is to learn about each other and to challenge and overcome stereotypes. The overall question to be explored is: What can we, as people of faith, do to respond and to overcome the pressing challenges of our time? 

Every day will begin with devotion and meditation. Taking turns, each faith community will organize and lead these gatherings in the presence of the others. There will be space for mutual sharing and learning. The sacred scriptures of each faith community will be studied in turn throughout the period. The Institute will be sensitive to special food requirements and will offer adequate spaces for prayer according to the needs of each of the participating faith communities. 

Staff: Fr Dr Prof. Ioan Sauca, Director of Bossey and other staff from the Jewish and Muslim communities from Geneva. 

Deadline for applications: 31 March 2008