Symposium Overview

The International Symposium on Cultural and Religious Diplomacy is a global conference combining the fields of inter-faith dialogue, peace-making and cultural/religious diplomacy. The Symposium will be under the presence and Patronage of His All Holiness Bartholomew I΄, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch.

Due to the established emigrational routes and also to the already existing Muslims, who present more or less an “autochthonous”, population in Europe, European countries progressively confront the consequences, the problems and the challenges, which are related with the presence of Muslims in these traditionally Christian areas. What is the nature and the causes of these consequences? What is its’ impact to the political and economic agenda? These and other similar questions will be investigated in the above mentioned Conference.

The conference will therefore bring together academics experts, religious leaders, politicians and businessmen from all over the world, will approach and elucidate the impact of the religious factor on the current discussion concerning religious terrorism, radicalization and re-shaping of the global religious and cultural map.  The distinguished contributors are expected to elucidate quite interesting aspects of this debate and, of course, an attempt to understand the involvement of Religions as catalysts for peaceful coexistence, catalysts for tension or integration, especially in the Mediterranean area will take place.

Our vision for the Symposium is to hold an international summit for world leaders coming from the fields of religion, politics, academia and the private sector to create an agenda of projects and initiatives that will promote world peace. This will include the development of institutions, raising awareness entities, sustainable development projects and research in the field.

Symposium Locations

Based in Istanbul, the Symposium will be hosted at The Halki Theological School and at a number of important political, historic, and cultural locations across the city.

Symposium Speakers & Delegates

Speakers and delegates during the symposium will include political and religious leaders, senior diplomats and academics, and representatives from civil society organizations.

The Symposium will include Keynote Addresses from the Honorable:

President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero Former Prime Minister of Spain

His All Holiness Bartholomew Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch

Commissioner (Ret.) Anna Diamantopoulou Former Greek European Commissioner for Employment

Symposium Participants »

Participation in the Symposium is open to governmental & diplomatic officials, academics, artists, journalists, civil society practitioners, private sector representatives, young professionals and students.

If you would like to reserve a position and participate in the symposium, please click on the link below and fill out the online application form: Certificate of Attendance - All Symposium participants will be awarded an official Certificate of Attendance upon completion of the program, which will provide details of the high-profile speakers who took part in the event, and list the topics which were discussed.

Participant Papers »

The Conference Committee encourages academic research and analysis of issues related to the goals of the Conference. The Conference Committee would therefore like to welcome the participants of the conference to submit a paper they would like to be considered for presentation at the conference as well as being included in the proposal document that will be issued following the conference and will be sent to all governments and leaders of the international community worldwide.