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- By the Storytelling Project Team
On this Mother's Day 2026, we are delighted to share with you a special gift: a new publication titled “Ties that Bind: Weaving Stories of Resilience, Community, and Change.”
A joint ICUUW-UNOSZ project, this initiative is an outgrowth of the 4th International Convocation of U*U Women and People of Progressive Faiths, Kolozsvár/Cluj, Romania, September 2024. Following the event, we launched an appeal for contributions to a publication carrying forward the spirit of the Convocation – and our shared commitment to a better world. Convocation participants were invited to submit writings honoring the theme of the event, "Weaving a Tapestry of Peace and New Perspectives:" personal stories or those of female ancestors that inspire and transform, contributing to a rich U/U tapestry, creating peace, equity, respect, and dignity in the world.
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- By ICUUW Staff
During the closing ceremony, participants endorsed a Peace Declaration and committed themselves to personal and institutional actions towards peace.
As Unitarian * Universalists and people of liberal faith, we foster global partnerships to promote peace and security and build a just, inclusive society.
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- By Csilla Júlia Dimény
Report on the Fourth International Convocation of U*U Women and People of Progressive Faiths
The János Zsigmond Unitarian College in Kolozsvár/Cluj hosted the Fourth International Convocation of U*U Women and People of Progressive Faiths, September 5-8, 2024
The dream of many years has come true: the plans for the four-day event came to life and many details of the organization were put in place thanks to the selfless efforts of enthusiastic organizers, seminarians, and parishioners.
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- By Renee Hills, Australia
Colourful Hungarian traditional costumes; pride in handicrafts and cultural roots; deepening understanding of Unitarian history in Transylvania (a part of Romania that was Hungarian before WWI); radical Hungarian hospitality; greeting Unitarian friends from distant countries; meeting people I’d only ever seen on Zoom; finding sisters in unexpected places; sharing stories; soaking up the wisdom of so many impressive women – these were just a few of the inspiring moments at the 4th International Convocation of Unitarian Universalist Women held in Cluj-Napoca (Kolozsvár in Hungarian) in Romania 5th-8th September, 2024.
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- By Karen Kortsch, Illinois, USA
This was my second trip to Transylvania. My first trip for the ICUUW convocation in 2012 was very enlightening as I was a "newbie" to ICUUW and did not know what to expect at the time. This time I had a much better understanding of our organization and was eager to learn more about what could be done to link women of the different Unitarian and UU faith traditions.
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- By ICUUW Staff and Volunteers
Fourth International Convocation of Unitarian*Universalist Women and People of Progressive Faiths
September 5–8, 2024 Cluj-Napoca/Kolozsvár, Romania
Organized by the International Convocation of Unitarian Universalist Women
And UNOSZ, the National Organization of Unitarian Women of Romania
In partnership with the Hungarian Unitarian Church
About 150 women and supporters of gender equity from around the world gathered in the historic Unitarian region of Transylvania.
Convocation Theme: “Weaving a Tapestry of Peace and New Perspectives”
Connect – Collaborate – Create
Impressions of the 4th International Convocation
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- By ICUUW Staff
4th Convocation of Unitarian and Unitarian Universalist Women and People of Progressive Faiths
Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvár, Romania, 5-8 September 2024
Thursday, 5 September
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13:00 |
Registration opens |
ground floor foyer of János Zsigmond Unitarian High School |
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14:00 |
City tour, visit of the House of Religious Freedom (optional). Guides: Zsolt Ács, Viktória Barazsuly, and István K. Kovács. |
English-speaking groups meet at 13:50 in front of Unitarian Church in the city center |
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17:00 |
Break |
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17:30 |
Opening Ceremony |
Dávid Ferenc prayer room |
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18:30 |
Reception |
Felvinczi György Hall (Auditorium) |
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20:00 |
Chalice Circles |
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Friday, 6 September
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- By ICUUW Staff
Friday Workshops
Fourth Convocation English-Language Workshops
Friday, September 6, 13:45 to 15:00
WOMEN WITH FIRE IN OUR BELLIES:
Making Our Entrepreneurial Way for Gender Equity as U/UU Historians
This workshop will empower women historians to strive and survive in uncovering our inclusive stories. Why? We need to learn from our Unitarian histories – but which history? The traditional stories are written mostly by men. Stories from our history which include the hidden power of women are vital to understanding our faith. Today, many modern women historians have a “fire in our bellies.” We seek the powerful women left out of the “old” stories and entrepreneurial opportunities to sustain our work. We will explore how women are now showing that there is not “one Unitarian history,” but many histories to inspire Unitarians’ future.
Presenters: All are Unitarians/Unitarian Universalists. Rev. Claudia Elferdink (US), Carol Maciel (Brazil), and Dr. Ágnes Flóra (Transylvania).
Maximum 30 participants
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- By ICUUW Staff
Laura Pistarini Teixeira Nunes will lead the Global Sisters Conversations section of the Fourth Convocation.
The Global Sisters Conversations section continues the tradition of our previous convocations, focusing on building a shared understanding of current issues impacting women's lives locally and globally and articulate ways to address them.
At the Fourth Convocation, we will engage in constructive dialogue on intersecting global crises, uncertainties, and threats to peace and security, all disproportionately affecting women and girls. Our goal is to foster a global community of U*U women, a collective voice, and strong and effective partnerships toward a future that is more equitable, peaceful, and sustainable.
Laura is from Sao Paulo, Brazil and lives in Cluj, Romania. She is the peacebuilding advisor and program manager of PATRIR, the Peace Action Training and Research Institute of Romania. In her role at PATRIR, she is committed to long-term healing and supports Ukrainian civil society in peace education, youth empowerment, and reconciliation. As the United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY) Regional Coordinator for Europe, Laura coordinates and communicates efforts of 25 member organizations within the European region. She has been selected for Kofi Annan Foundation's Changemakers 2024, an initiative that engages young leaders in intergenerational dialogue, fostering mutual learning and collaboration and exploring ways to build their capacity for positive action on the challenges of today.
In her own words: “I commit to facilitating the continuous shaping of our vision and strategy for peace in Europe in such a difficult and painful time in our history.”
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- By ICUUW Staff
Hajnal Antal is the founder of Selected Bags, a socially and ecologically conscious Transylvanian enterprise that makes handbags from waste paper. Its mission is to transform waste into beauty, creating a unique bag line that promotes innovation with an eco-friendly touch.