Welcome
- Welcome from the Grand Lodge of Washington, DC
- Welcome from the Executive Secretary of the World Conference
Welcome from the Grand Lodge of Washington, DC
Dear Brethren,
The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington, DC is indeed honored to host the World Conference of Grand Lodges, for the first time ever, in the capital of the United States of America.
Today, we live in a world that is truly global and finds itself at a major crossroads with change happening at lightening speed, insecurity rising across the globe and fanaticism on a deadly rampage. The world today needs Freemasonry more than ever. Given the universality of its character, its existence in so many places around the world, and the values and principles it espouses, the Society of the Freemasons is uniquely positioned to contribute to the global flow of enlightened ideas and help people of good will work together for the betterment of humanity. Can we rise to the challenge, answer the call, and fulfill our destiny as a beacon of universal light?
To help us think through this fundamental question, we have designed a conference under the theme of “Universal Fraternity in Action” that we trust you will find to be instructive and enjoyable. The emphasis will be on the “actions” that our fraternity can and should be taking. How can we encourage Freemasons to be more engaged in today’s world while faithfully preserving the Tradition of our Society? What actionable proposals and recommendations can speakers offer to that end? We have identified three topics of discussion addressing a number of issues varying from promoting ethical behavior in civil society to establishing a network of exchanges among Masons worldwide.
Immediately following the conference, which will be held May 7 – 9, 2008, the Grand Lodge of Washington, DC will hold its Universal Brotherhood Celebration on Saturday, May 10, 2008. The day will feature special tours of The White House and U.S. Capitol, a public wreath laying ceremony at the WWII Memorial, and a grand black tie (Tuxedo) banquet featuring Washington National Opera artists.
In order to guarantee your hotel reservation at the reduced rate, we urge you to make your hotel reservation as soon as possible and prior to February 29, 2008. We also encourage you to stay through the weekend, arriving on Wednesday, May 7th and departing on Sunday morning, May 11th. Please encourage as many members of your Grand Lodge to register for this conference, which promises to be enlightening and truly memorable.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Akram R. Elias
Grand Master
Welcome from the Executive Secretary of the World Conference
My brothers, it is a great privilege for me as Executive Secretary of the World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges to extend a most sincere invitation to you to attend the IX World Conference to be held in Washington, DC. It is only the second time that the conference has been held in North America, the other being the III World Conference held in New York City in1998 when our Constitution was drafted.
As you know, Washington, DC is the capital of the United States of America and carries with it much of the symbolism of the free world. It also, however, carries much Masonic symbolism as well and I hope that you will take the opportunity, to be with us and to learn more of the significance that Freemasonry has made in the erection of this great city and the development of our democratic society.
I have been very much impressed with the amount of effort and energy that the committee has been putting into the structuring of this conference. They contacted me immediately following the close of the VIII World Conference held in Paris and have been working diligently to make this conference an outstanding one. It is always the intent when structuring the World Conference to make it not only informative and worthwhile for its Masonic purpose but to make it enjoyable and memorable as well and this, the committee has been doing. You will be pleasantly impressed with some of the programs being developed.
Several themes have been selected for this conference, which notes the need for the philosophy of the craft to expose its relevancy in today's society while at the same time reminding us of our need of self-examination.
Because of exposure of Freemasonry in the present day worldwide media as well as an increase in historical publications there has been a renewed interest in the philosophical purpose of our organization. Young men are approaching our doors with inquisitiveness into the esoteric aspects as to what we are. However, ignorance of purpose by our own membership has tended to dull our appreciation of the impact that Freemasonry has had on the evolution of our civil societies and its potential for the future. If we are to take advantage of this renewed interest it becomes vital for us to more fully understand ourselves.
The World Conference has provided an environment wherein the leadership of Craft Masonry can gather together and discuss these universal needs while at the same time comprehending the variables that distinguishes Freemasonry in different parts of the world. The conference has consistently impressed the need for a total commitment to the support of Regular Freemasonry while at the same time emphasizing the need for universal cooperation.
My brothers, Freemasons imbued with the philosophical beliefs of our craft have been in the forefront, leading the way for the development of worldwide civilization for centuries. It has survived ongoing changes in societal structure while remaining relevant when most other organizations, many modeled after our craft, have become extinct. We have remained because our philosophical purpose remained relevant to all societies and to all generations. Technological change is requiring that we more than ever must understand one another and work together to remain relevant to future societal structure. Thus, the themes of the Conference.
I look forward with great anticipation to greeting you as friends and brothers in Washington, DC where we will renew our commitments of making this world a better place to live through the philosophical purpose of Freemasonry.
Sincere Fraternal Regards,
Thomas W. Jackson
Executive Secretary