The gathering was hosted by Dr George Carey who, during his term as the 103rd Archbishop of Canterbury, has made interfaith relations a significant aspect of his work. The seminar addressed topics of common concern to the faith communities and facilitated open discussion amongst its delegates. It is hoped that the presentations and resultant discussions will help set the stage for future dialogues on history, theology and social issues, as well as aspects of pluralism and secularism. British Prime Minister Tony Blair expressed his strong support for the seminar and, in his opening remarks, emphasised the need for globalisation of knowledge and understanding: 鈥淚t is knowledge that helps people realize what they have in common; it鈥檚 knowledge and understanding that brings people together rather than sets them apart鈥.
Professor Nanji chaired the session entitled 鈥淪etting the Agenda鈥, which explored such issues as the perceived confrontation between the 鈥榃est鈥 and 鈥業slam鈥, globalisation, pluralism and the setting of a common interfaith agenda by Muslims and Christians.
