 
Volunteers greet the several hundred in attendance.
Breakout sessions included an Environmental Panel Discussion, an Indigenous Panel Discussion, a Youth Roundtable Dialogue and THE INVITATION presented by School of Metaphysics thespians.
Preparing for THE INVITATION Cast members make last minute adjustments as people begin to gather during one of three breakout sessions of the day
Cast members for this presentation (photo at right) include Chris Sheehan as Linus Pauling, Tad Messenger as Albert Schweitzer, Pam Blosser as Alva Myrdal, Sheila Benjamin (back to camera) as Mother Teresa, Laurel Clark as Shirin Abadi, John Harrison as Martin Luther King, Sebastien Hartman as the Dalai Lama, and Christine Madar as Betty Williams.
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The theme was LIVING WITHIN OUR MEANS: The Wisdom of our Traditions for a Changing World. "Joyous" was the word used to describe the Chicago Pre-Parliament by one participant. The voices of Indigenous leaders, Noble Peace Prize laureates, youth, and environmental experts permeated this event held in downtown Chicago on December 7, 2008. Warren Clements mezmorized those gathered with traditional Aboriginal didjeridu music, song, and dance. Mikael Smith brought great insight both as the keynote speaker and as a Indigenous panelist. People from many different religious and spiritual tradtions throughout the greater Chicagoland area talked with each other, laughed, and learned from one another.
 
CPWR Executive Director Rev. Dirk Ficca (above, left) welcomes the several hundred people from many faiths who came to learn, share, and support. Indigenous peoples is a major theme for Parliament, offering ways for forgiveness and harmony.
  Warren Clements (above, 1st picture) brought his Aboriginal culture to life through music and dance. An Indigenous Australian born in the town of Katherine, NT, Warren holds a key position within the internationally acclaimed Tjapukai company based in Cairns, Queensland. He is a master of the didjeridu instrument, and with 17 years of experience in all aspects of performance, he is most in his element when he is onstage. Picture #2 Dr. Daniel Condron, chairman of the board of the School of Metaphysics, talks with Warren during the dinner.
 
At left, Laurie Biswell (with The Invitation creator Dr. Barbara Condron) headed the volunteer effort as a dozen School of Metaphysics representatives offered their assistance during the day. At right, Tad Messenger (Albert Schweitzer) makes a new friend.
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