Registration for the 2025 Interfaith Leadership Summit is open! Join students and educators from across the country for a weekend of connection at this year’s Summit.
Interfaith America is excited to announce the 2025 Interfaith Leadership Summit theme, Chords of Democracy, which will explore the intersection of music and the diverse fabric of American democracy. This theme invites participants to share stories that celebrate the contributions of a religiously diverse society while fostering a shared vision of an interfaith America.
Just as a song is composed of many distinct notes, our communities are made up of individuals with different backgrounds and perspectives. A single instrument is powerful on its own, but it is through the collaboration of many — each adding its unique sound — that a beautiful symphony is born. However, crafting this harmony requires skill, practice and a commitment to working together to create something greater than the sum of its parts.
“A college campus is a mini national stage,” writes Eboo Patel, “It is the perfect environment for different groups to improve at their instruments, bring them to a common space, and learn to play harmoniously together.” Pluralism exemplifies this idea: it is about contributing to a larger, unified song, while maintaining the integrity and richness of one’s own worldview tradition.
“Pluralism and learning how to coexist have never been more important” shared the Reverend Dr. Gail Cantor, Director of Belonging and Spiritual Life at Endicott College, a four-time Summit attendee with plans to attend again this year. “Now more than ever, we need to remember what’s essential about our work. We need community — and we need each other’s support,” she said, addressing the challenge students and educators alike have faced in these divisive times for democracy and on college campuses nationwide.
The Summit offers community and support in the form of nine unique training tracks, where participants can build relationships with a cohort of peers from diverse faith traditions and none.
2024 Summit attendee and Director of Campus Ministry at Bellarmine University, Father John Pozhathuparambil, will come back to Chicago again this summer, inspired by the high-quality training, diversity of participants and wealth of knowledge he encountered last year. “This training has the potential to be truly transformative, equipping you to better support and prepare the next generation of interfaith leaders,” he told Interfaith America, encouraging educators considering attending to approach the weekend with “an open heart and mind.”
Not sure which track to take? Take the ‘find my track’ quiz to help decide which training cohort is the best fit for you.
The Rev. Dr. Cantor’s advice for educators considering joining this year: bring your community. “The bond I form with the students I bring is invaluable during the school year,” she shared. “They return as partners and leaders, deeply engaged because of their experience at the Summit.”
Campus communities interested in this year’s Summit can save 100 dollars on costs by registering before May 23. Learn more and register today.
