Grauer Group Travels to Parliament of the World's Religions

Twelve Grauer students and 3 teachers traveled to Toronto, Canada to attend the 2018 Parliament of the World's Religions, the oldest, largest, and most diverse and inclusive global interfaith event, from November 1-7. The Grauer students who went on the trip were Ricky A. '19, Julia D. '19, Kiana H. '19 Ava D. '20, Zoe-Daphnee L. '20, Tyler T. '20, Jake A. '21, Josie B. '21, Ivy H. '21, Ava I. '21, Rachel W. '21, and Lucy D. '22.

For its 2018 theme, the Parliament drew from movements of goodwill and cross-cultural respect that are embodied in the spirit of the interfaith movement: The Promise of Inclusion, the Power of Love: Pursuing Global Understanding, Reconciliation, and Change. Study tracks included the dignity of women; countering war, hate and violence; climate action/care for the earth; indigenous peoples; next generation issues; and justice - advancing change for a more just, peaceful and sustainable world.

Trip chaperone Clayton Payne gave a presentation about "Teaching Religion Through Interfaith Cooperation in Secular Education Systems" at the Parliament, expanding on his experience of teaching World Religions at The Grauer School. Clayton said, "Attending The Parliament of the World's Religions was a two-fold ultimate extension of principles at the heart of everything Grauer: intrinsic motivation to satisfy intellectual curiosity and a platform where where student voice became prized in its respect. As students defined their days by exploring what interested them, programs and workshops from 7am-8pm, we challenged them to truly engage with others, to ask questions and contribute to the dialogue. As high school students were the minority attendees, our students were eagerly invited to share their opinions and perspectives on issues of the day and visions of tomorrow. Though they were talking with global leaders, it was The Grauer School's students who were treated as the shepherds and shamans of tomorrow. Each day, we took time to gather and reflect in a circle with each other on our learnings and experiences. I genuinely believe that only our students could have been so open to learning about their world and themselves in such a manner. There is courage necessary in such discovery, something our students certainly impressed me with time and again."

Trip chaperone Bill Harman, World Religions teacher, said, "Attending a Parliament of the World's Religions is an unusual and unique educational opportunity for students at The Grauer School. To have the opportunity to mix and mingle with 7-8,000 people of faith or no faith who represent cultures from all over the globe and share values of compassion, peace and justice is special. I have been traveling with Grauer students to attend these Parliaments since 2009 in Melbourne, Australia and the 2015 Parliament in Salt Lake City, Utah. The students always return praising their experiences and aware of the power of love and compassion for dealing with the difficult issues of our world today."

Trip chaperone Christina Burress, English teacher, said, "Like our twelve lucky Grauer students, this was my first time attending the Parliament of the World's Religions. Awestruck by the rich offerings and kindness of strangers, we set about day by day to experience the most while also taking time to share a meal or talk with new friends. The Grauer students' curiosity and openness was contagious and inspired me to complete my goal of earning a Certificate in Indigenous Cultural Awareness offered by the Parliament's Indigenous Working Group and First Nations Technical Institute. I had the choice of 60 workshops and access to the Lodge of Nations sacred space where I participated in offerings like the Ancestor Spirit Feast ceremony with elder Donna Augustine Thunderbird Turtle Woman and the Pipe Ceremony with Chief Arvol Looking Horse of Lakota Nation. These sessions went beyond the typical academic class and instead were meant to be the transfer of knowledge from Indigenous peoples themselves. I had the great honor of listening to wisdom holders from many tribes, among them: Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, Maya, Hawaiian, Maori, Aleut, Hopi, Apache, and Choctaw. I was deeply moved by each story and teaching. My goal is to bring a little of that back into my classroom by including Indigenous authors into my curriculum so that I can offer our students an expansive cultural worldview."