The world today faces numerous crises. Complex challenges related to climate change, violence, and increased political and economic instability, among other calamities, have led many to turn inward out of a sense of despair. The Our Whole Society conference, which explores insights from diverse faith traditions and secular perspectives, will be a forum for sharing the grassroots experiences of individuals and communities making positive contributions to Canadian society. The Our Whole Society (OWS) operates under the auspices of the Canadian Interfaith Conversation (CIC).

Now in its seventh iteration, the biennial conference will address such challenging questions as, what conceptions of hope encourage and sustain collective action? How do we recognize the gravity of challenges before humanity while working toward a more positive collective future? What understandings of hope can we draw upon to meet the most pressing demands of our time? These topics will be addressed within the framework of our 2025 theme, Fostering Hope in a Divided World.

The Conference, scheduled for June 15-17, 2025, at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg, will bring together public figures, social activists, academics, religious leaders, and members of the general public to examine sources of hope in relation to major themes of importance to Canadian society such as reconciliation, climate change, polarization, human rights, and international affairs.

Speakers: The Our Whole Society conference will begin with an opening keynote presentation on hope and human rights by Payam Akhavan, Professor of International Law and Senior Fellow at Massey College, University of Toronto, and Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration on the evening of June 15. . On the conference’s following two days, Elin Kelsey, an academic, author, and co-creator of an international network of researchers and practitioners working on the emerging academic discipline of Climate Emotions, will speak to the subject of hope and climate change. Lloyd Axworthy, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Canada, will speak to Canada’s role in international affairs. Two full days of panel discussions and interactive workshops on themes of importance to Canadian society including reconciliation, climate change, polarization, human rights, and international affairs will complement the headline speakers’ presentations. Wab Kinew, Prremier of Manitoba, and Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham will also be part of the conference.

On the evening of June 15, the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra will perform a special musical arrangement on the theme of hope to open the conference. Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra presentation is with the support of the Mauro Institute for Peace & Justice at St. Paul’s College with funding from the Blankstein Fund for Storytelling Dialogue.

Conference Partners: The Our Whole Society conference is hosted by the Canadian Interfaith Conversation in partnership with the Manitoba Multifaith Council, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the Mauro Institute for Peace & Justice at St. Paul's College at the University of Manitoba, Martin Luther University College in Waterloo and the Centre for Philosophy, Religion, and Social Ethics, Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto.