The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

Description

United Religions Initiative (URI) is an international interfaith organization that seeks to end religiously-motivated violence and create cultures of peace through interfaith understanding and cooperation. The organization sponsors regional and international interfaith conferences, produces interfaith educational materials, supports youth leadership programs and philanthropies, and serves as a global network for religious organizations involved in peacemaking.

Programs

The URI website lists the following on-going programs:
Interfaith Peacebuilding Initiatives
Visions for Peace Among Religions
Partners in Leadership Program
The Interfaith Education Project
Global Communications & Knowledge Sharing
Global Philanthropy Project.

Interfaith Peacebuilding Initiatives develops educational resources and training models for peaceful resolving of conflicts. In conjunction with this initiative, the Vision for Peace Among Religions is conducting a three-year global study of peacemakers and peacemaking initiatives, seeking to "engag[e] millions of people in the development of global visions and strategies for peacemaking among religions in the 21st century." The Partners in Leadership Program seeks to unite leaders in the peacemaking process and promote grassroots activism.

The Interfaith Education Project and Global Communications & Knowledge Sharing both seek to educate the larger public about the world's religions. The Interfaith Education Project produces educational materials, printed and online at the URI website, and collaborates with classroom teachers in developing religious studies in the curricula. Global Communications & Knowledge Sharing suppports local interfaith efforts by providing a way for them to link with each other and share resources through a global network of information. This program also provides global news regarding interfaith efforts to the public, via the URI website.

The Global Philanthropy Project is an initiative to support local, "culturally sensitive" charity efforts among the URI's members. The URI provides "seed funds" to these local efforts and seeks to encourage indigenous philanthropy.

The URI also has an extensive program directed at youth, to encourage their participation in interfaith and peacemaking efforts. An entire section of the URI website (URI Kids' Site) is devoted to youth ages 8-12, and includes an interactive educational component about the world's religions. There is also a Global Youth Cooperation Circle for youth ages 14 and older.

Demographics

The URI is a multi-faith, multi-national organization. According to the URI website, "[the] community includes thousands of members in 47 countries, representing more than 88 religions, spiritual expressions and indigenous traditions."