Parliament Melbourne, Australia, hosted the 2009 Parliament of the World's Religions. The 2009 parliament took place from 3 to 9 December. Over 6,000 people attended the parliament. The Melbourne parliament addressed issues of Aboriginal reconciliation. The issues of sustainability and global climate change were explored through the lens of indigenous spiritualities. Environmental issues and the spirituality of youth were also key areas of dialogue. The Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions suggested that the Melbourne parliament would "educate participants for global peace and justice" through exploring religious conflict and globalization, creating community and cross-cultural networks and addressing issues of religious violence. It supported "strengthening religious and spiritual communities" by providing a special focus on indigenous and Aboriginal spiritualities; facilitating cooperation between Pagan, Jewish, Christian, Baháʼí, Jain, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh and Hindu communities. In addition, the council focused on crafting new responses to religious extremism and confronting homegrown terrorism and violence. The Rev. Dirk Ficca served as the executive director at the time of the 2009 Parliament of Religions. Zabrina Santiago served as deputy director and partner cities director. 2015 Parliament In 2011, the Parliament of the World's Religions announced that the 2014 Parliament would take place in Brussels, Belgium. In November 2012, a joint statement from Brussels and CPWR announced that because of the financial crisis in Europe, Brussels was unable to raise the funds required for a Parliament. On 15–19 October, the 2015 Parliament took place at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah. 9,806 attendees, performers, and volunteers from 73 countries, 30 major religions and 548 sub-traditions participated in the Parliament. During the closing ceremony, Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid announced that the Parliament would henceforth be held every two years, with the next gathering scheduled for 2017, later rescheduled for 2018. 2018 Parliament The Board of Trustees of the Parliament selected Toronto as the site of the 2018 Parliament of the World's Religions at their April 2017 meeting. The event took place from 1 to 7 November 2018. More than 8,000 people attended the sessions, including the Dalai Lama, who addressed the Opening Plenary of the Parliament. 2021 Parliament The Parliament of the World's Religions was held online from October 16 through October 18, 2021, because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 2023 Parliament In October of 2021, the Chair of the Board of the Parliament of the World's Religions announced that its 9th global convening