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The World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges
The World Conference
of Masonic Grand Lodges
The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington D.C. has received the honor of hosting the IX World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges in May of this year as determined by vote of the conference during its VIII meeting held in Paris, France, in November 2006.
The World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges grew out of a first congress or meeting held in Mexico City, Mexico in 1995. It was organized at that time as a “World Meeting of Grand Masters of Freemasonry” by the Gran Logia Valle de México. It was attended by 37 Grand Lodges and when the summary was released there was apprehension expressed throughout some Grand Lodges of the world. Indeed, I had considerable concern on some of the decisions that were reached and I wrote my opinion regarding them. The second assembly of the “World Meeting of Masonic Grand Masters” was held in Lisbon, Portugal. When asked by the then Grand Master of Portugal if I would participate, I declined stating that my attendance could be construed as supporting issues I disagreed with. He responded to me, that opinions like mine should be heard and discussed, not abstained. With this admonition I attended, participated in the conference and felt that it had potential to contribute to understanding in world Freemasonry. Since that second meeting I have become more convinced that this conference can play a vital role by bringing together leaders of world Freemasonry with thinking minds to deal with issues that confront us. During the third meeting held in New York City, New York a constitution was drafted when the name of the conference was changed to the World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges, opening it to Grand Secretaries for the continuity that brought and limiting it to Grand Lodges only. The purpose of the conference as stated in the Constitution, “is to share information and to discuss issues, which promote the stability, progress, and universality of Craft masonry.” It also
Thomas W. Jackson, RWPGS
Executive Secretary
stated that, “No actions taken by this conference will have a binding effect on any sovereign and independent member Grand Lodge. Further the Constitution states, “The World Conference will be open to Masonic Grand Lodges only”, and that “Every attempt will be made to rotate the World Conference to each continent”, and that it will “be scheduled every 18 months”. Finally, it was determined that, “The Grand Master or his representative and the Grand Secretary will be the only ones to be seated at the conference table or permitted to speak and that only those Grand lodges who have been acknowledged as “legitimate and regular” will be members.
Since that time, the World Conference has met in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1999, Madrid, Spain, in 2001, New Delhi, India, in 2002, Santiago, Chile, in 2004 and Paris, France, in 2006. Topics for discussion have ranged from practical applications of Masonic philosophy in the operation of Grand Lodges in our present-day environments such as; Principles and standards in recognition among Grand Lodges, Have we been victims of our own success?, Quality and quantity, How could we better promote fundamental values and principles of Freemasonry: The possibility of reaching a world with a universal Masonic organization, Regular Freemasonry and digital communications: the internet, Should we open the doors of the Grand Lodges to the world, in order to incorporate ourselves in present-day society?, A historical analysis from a sociopolitical angle and The Need for Freemasonry in the 21st century, to more esoteric topics dealing with the purpose and meaning of Freemasonry such as; Freedom and Freemasonry in society’s evolution, Masonry, Laicism and globalization: values universality, Freemasons role in the paradigm change of new Euro Atlantic integrated countries, If freedom failed, and human rights in a multi-cultural society.
The committee for the conference to be held May 7-10 has been working diligently in preparation of it or over a year. f The conference held in Paris last year had representation from just under 100 Grand Jurisdictions and from all indications, I would expect this World Conference to be the largest that we have experienced.
My brothers, we are living in a period of history when eth global expansion of Freemasonry is perhaps as great or greater than at any time since our early existence. With the fall of communism, Freemasonry is finding resurgence in Eastern Europe and with the new Grand Lodges being created in African countries, Freemasonry is growing throughout much of the
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
Dar kness Networking
Afternoon . . Session IV - Special Masonic
LADIES PROGRAM (Days)
world. At the same time it is facing some of its greatest challenges. The need for a true understanding of what our Craft is, it’s purpose and its potential future is paramount if we are to continue to affect the evolution of civil society. In addition we must understand the challenges facing us on a world level. In this technological age, Grand Lodge isolationism is no longer a viable option. In consideration of these challenges and the need to fully understand our purpose, the conference will be geared more to the practical application of Craft Freemasonry than the theoretical aspect of it.
Make no doubt about it, my brothers; this organization has played a vital roll in interjecting civility into civilization for several hundred years. You may be justly proud of your Grand Lodge’s significant participation in the World Conference in the past and its election to
Thursday, May 8 d M 8 Morning . . . Session I - Standing Up toMorning Session I Standing Up to Lunch. . . . . . Keynote Speaker: a member of Keynote Speaker: a member of the US Congress US Congress Afternoon . . Session IIAfternoon . . Session II - Masonic IntegrityMasonic Integrity Evening . . . . Capitol Hill Recepti i C it l Hill R tion Friday, May 9 id M 9 Morning . . . . Session IIIMorning Session III - Global Fraternal Fraternal Lunch. ..... Keynote Speaker: a Senior USKeynote Speaker: a Senior US Administration officialAdministration official h ost the IX World Conference in 2008. ■
Program (Tiled Lodge withProgram (Tiled Lodge with Aprons and Collars) and Collars) Evening . . . . Closing CeremoniesEvening Closing Ceremonies - Black Tie Banquet: A Celebration Tie Banquet: A Celebration of Dance entertainmentD t t i t program Saturday, May 10 t d M 10 Universal Brotherhood Celebration* Morning . . . . Wreath Laying ceremonMorning Wreath La ing ceremony Lunch. . . . . . Hotel Hotel Evening . . . . Universal Brotherhood B i U i lB h h dBanquet Dinner featuring performance by featuring performance by Washington National Opera artistsWashington National Opera artists
Dress Code: Conf ,,erence Sessions, Lunches, and Recep ; ygtions: Business Suit; Wreath Laying Ceremony: Business Suit; Banquets: TuxedoCeremony: Business Suit; Banquets: Tuxedo
* The Saturday Program is part of th Th S d P i f he
Washington D.C. – Universal Brotherhood
Celebration and is not included in the basic conference registration. Participation in andconference registration Participation in and attendance of the Universal Brotherhoodattendance of the Universal Brotherhood
Celebration activities is optional and requiresCelebration activities is optional and requires an additional registration fee of $125 l i t ti f f $125 per
person.
Thursday, May 8Thursday May 8 Morning . . . . Tour of WashingtonMorning . . . . Tour of Washington D.C. Lunch. . . . . . City Tavern Club (private club) h Cit T Cl b ( i t l b) Afternoon . . Shopping and sightseeing inAfternoon Shopping and sightseeing in historic Georget t i G g town Friday, May 9 May 9 Morning .Morning .... Promoting Literacy:Promoting Literacy: a philanthropic project philanthropic project Lunch. . . . . . Cosmos Club (p )rivate club) Afternoon . . Special ActivityAfternoon Special Acti it
Dress Code: Cd All activities, except the dinner banquets: Business Dress; Banquets: Formal Evening D ti iti t th di b t B i D B t F l E i Dress
To register please visit www.glworldconference.org gi t l i it gl ld f g
