"How can we affirm our identity as Muslims, Jews and Christians not in separation or against each other but in relation to one another?" This is the question some 25 young adults from around the world are to explore during a July summer seminar at the World Council of Churches' (WCC) Ecumenical Institute in Bossey. Activities include spiritual and academic exercises as well as sports, recreation and everyday tasks.
At a time when the monolithic society created on the old pattern "one nation, one culture and one religion" is rapidly becoming a relic of the past, the one-month programme "Building an Interfaith Community" prepares the future generation of leaders in churches, other faith communities and society at large for the challenges of living peacefully in a world of religious plurality.
Each day starts with a moment of prayer and spirituality, prepared alternately by the Christian, the Jewish and the Muslim participants. The experience of living under the same roof, eating and worshiping together, is enriched by lectures offered by specialists from Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities as well as through participation in the religious activities in Geneva.