The 1993 Inauguration The IIC was born out of the extraordinary success of the 1993 Year of Inter-religious Understanding and Cooperation. Its creation was inspired by the Sarva Dharma Sammelana in Bangalore—a gathering of 600 people of many faiths—and the Chicago Centenary Year of the World’s Parliament of Religions.
To ensure the spirit of these events was preserved, the IIC was formally inaugurated on 6 December 1993. It was founded as a partnership by the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) and the World Congress of Faiths (WCF).
The Founders The IIC’s foundation was made possible by the vision of pioneers, including:
- The Revd Dr Marcus Braybrooke: A global leader whose work during 1993 laid the groundwork for the Centre.
- Dr Robert Traer: Who, as the IARF link, was instrumental in moving the IARF office to Oxford to establish the Centre.
- Celia Storey: Whose tireless work in coordination and administration was fundamental to the IIC’s early success and the production of its core publications.
The International Interfaith Organisations Network (IION) Building on years of trust-building since 1993, the IIC convened a historic meeting in Oxford in March 2001 to establish the IION. This network was designed to foster internal dialogue among the world’s leading interfaith players, ensuring cooperation on event timings and global travel. The IIC acted as the network’s coordinator, hosting annual meetings in Oxford, Budapest, and Kerala, and delivering its own specialised seminars at major events like the Melbourne Parliament of World’s Religions (2009).
Evolution and Preservation The IIC has evolved from a physical centre into a streamlined, consultative body. Our focus remains on the preservation of the interfaith record. Our extensive archives are held at the Parkes Library, Southampton University, ensuring that the pioneering work of the IIC remains a primary resource for future generations.