On 5 July, the World Council of Churches (WCC) will convene its first-ever formal Christian-Sikh dialogue. In commemoration of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the first guru of the Sikhs, the dialogue is being held as the Global Sikh Council meets in Switzerland.

With a focus on the theme ‘Pursuing Peace in a Pluralistic World’, it will be the first time that the WCC and Sikhs engage in a formal bilateral dialogue.

The theme of peace is at the heart of both Christianity and Sikhism. In the Old Testament, the Psalmist issues an exhortation: “to seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14) In the gospels, we read Jesus saying in his sermon on the mount, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”, (Matthew 5:9 NRSV). The general concept of peace found in the Bible is one of shalom, which is characterized by the flourishing of right relationships, between God, human beings and the creation. Justice is intertwined with, and integral to, this understanding of peace.

In a turbulent moment in history, the dialogue is a modest effort to foster a new partnership that can effectively decipher the signs of the times and offer responses which are courageous and committed.

When: 5 July, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Where: Ecumenical Centre, Geneva

For further information, please contact: [email protected]

Programme

09:00 am: Registration

10:00 am: Welcome and Spiritual Moment

10:15 am: Opening Addresses

11:00 am: Session 1: Peaceful Coexistence in Post-Modern Contexts – Sikh, Christian Perspectives

11:40 am: Musical Interlude

11:45 am: Session 2: Justice, Equality and Peaceful Coexistence – Perspectives on Gender Justice

12:15 pm: Lunch break

02:00 pm: Session 3: Transformative Action: Service Beyond Borders

02:40 pm: Session 4: Towards Common Flourishing: Perspectives on Ecological Justice

03:20 pm: Tea/Coffee break

03:40 pm: Session 5: Artisans of Peace: Countering Extremism Using Arts and Social Media

04:20 pm: Final Address: Challenges for Christians and Sikhs to Pursue Peace in a Pluralistic World

Vote of Thanks: Mr Gurdep Singh, (Secretary, Global Sikh Council)

05:00 pm: Aperitif