How Do We Join the Partner Cities Network?
Cities actively working to foster social cohesion and harmony are warmly encouraged to apply for membership in the Partner Cities Network. We believe that those cities matching the following description will derive the greatest benefit from membership in the Network:
• Your city has a population of 150,000 or more* and an interreligious dialogue group of 15 or more members representing six or more different traditions
• Your group enjoys the active support of government and civic leaders, as well as representatives of guiding institutions
• Your group can demonstrate tangible initiatives, or plans for initiatives, which support and foster interreligious dialogue and social cohesion
• Your group meets regularly — at least once annually — and addresses significant issues of dialogue and social harmony which affect your community and are consistent with the mission of the Council
-Your group has capacity for fundraising to meet the annual membership fees for the Partner Cities Network program. Details about the fees will be provided in the weeks to come.
• Your group is committed to inclusiveness
In addition to meeting the above considerations, cities seeking membership in the Network will be asked to complete a Profile. This Profile will help the Steering Committee of the Partner Cities Network fully understand each group’s strengths, focus and contributions to its community. The Steering Committee will then consult with each candidate group to determine if membership will be beneficial both for the city and the Partner Cities Network as a whole.
To learn more about the Partner Cities Network, and how to join, please contact Zabrina Santiago, Partner Cities Director of the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions. We will begin accepting applications in May 2010.
* While metropolitan populations of 150,000 and over have been our general standard, the Council will make exceptions for groups in smaller cities based on the overall strength of the application.
