Centennial Reflections

Description

This collection of essays offers a comprehensive history of the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF), the world's oldest international interfaith organization, on the occasion of its centenary. The volume begins with a chronological overview by Robert Traer, tracing the IARF's development from its founding in 1900 as a council of Unitarian and liberal Christian thinkers to a diverse, multi-faith global community.

Subsequent chapters, contributed by various longtime members and leaders, provide detailed accounts of the IARF's involvement in specific countries and regions, including Japan, India, Canada, the Philippines, and several European nations. The work also explores thematic aspects of the IARF's mission, such as its social service network, its relationship with the United Nations, and the role of its women's association. Woven throughout are personal recollections and reflections that offer unique insights into key events, challenges, and congresses that have shaped the organization over its first century.