It's been 15 full and fulfilling years since the United Religions Initiative charter was signed, and this year has brought many colorful and beautiful anniversary celebrations around the world. The most recent occasion for celebration was June 27, 2015, when URI was invited to join the 70th anniversary of the creation of the United Nations.
Dignitaries including United States Representative Nancy Pelosi; Asoke Kumar Mukerji, India Ambassador to the United Nations; and Cristina Gallach, UN Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information joined URI Founder and President the Right Rev. William E. Swing; URI Executive Director, the Rev. Victor Kazanjian; and former URI Global Council Chair Rita Semel at a day-long celebration at San Francisco's Grace Cathedral.
Read the full text of Bishop Swing's speeches here.
- Read the official press release about the joint URI and UN anniversary celebration.
- Read the URI community's reflections on the occasion of the 15th charter signing anniversary, as well as photos of celebrations worldwide and archival photos from the charter signing ceremony.
- Read an anniversary statement from the Rev. Canon Charles P. Gibbs, Founding Executive Director Emeritus.
See photos and read stories from anniversary celebrations in: