Forum for Intercultural Leadership and Learning (FILL)

A Reference Group of the Canadian Council of Churches

“Interculturality requires that cultural diversity becomes a characteristic of the social context. It also requires that different communities become mutually receptive of each other, and the different ways they view life, understand God, and interact with each other in ways that are dignifying, just, and life‐giving.”

Interculturality Framework and Guiding Principles

About the Forum for Intercultural Leadership and Learning

The Forum for Intercultural Leadership and Learning (FILL) is an ecumenical Christian collaborative network through which Canadian Churches and their membership work toward intercultural leadership development and ministry learning in Canada and globally. FILL distinctly enriches the Canadian Council of Churches by championing intercultural leadership and invigorating theological dialogues on pressing mission and ministry challenges.

Through its innovative initiatives, FILL enhances cultural sensitivity, empowering churches to genuinely honour and embrace diversity. It actively supports ministry professionals working across varied cultural and social landscapes, deepening their engagement with intercultural dynamics.

FILL Program Priorities (2024-27)

Our Vision

Just Intercultural Community

As a community, we work together toward God’s vision of a Just Intercultural Community in which all can be fully themselves as created by God. A Just Intercultural Community includes right relationship with God, with each other, and with all of creation.

This vision includes the many ways we are in relationship across difference, including (but not limited to) relationships across:

Our Approach

The adult education learning methodology of FILL draws on a long history and practice of community engagement and leadership. The popular education approaches of Paulo Freire are foundational, especially:

Moving frommonologue to dialogue
Moving frompassive subjects to active agents of change
Learning done incommunity and rooted in experience

The methodology is designed to createintercultural spaces where all are co-learners, engaged holistically, fully able to be themselves as created by God, and working together to create justice-seeking communities.

Our Program

Engage Difference! Deepening Understanding for Intercultural Ministry (DUIM)

DUIM is a 5-day interactive and engaging program with practical ideas for implementation in your own context. This program is for ministry leaders and community members nurturing cultural relevance, understanding, and awareness in their communities.

Program Features:

Interactive,engaging format with practical implementation ideas
Residential program with inclusive meals and eveningactivities
Bursaries available for participants
COVID-19 safety precautions in place
Registration open to anyone interested or through FILLpartners

What Participants Say:

“It was one of the best learning events I have attended in that it allowed me enough time to consider how I might apply learnings to my context. I developed ideas well enough so that I could actually articulate these ideas to colleagues on my return to work.”

“(Engage Difference!) is an opportunity to explore what it means to be intercultural. This program weaves theory with experience and encourages participants to reflect and act on how their ministry might move towards becoming intercultural.”

“Interculturality is a place where we can create a safer space, where to be authentically us.”

Resources:

Why now? The local and global demand and hope for just intercultural church communities continues to grow. This priority responds to that demand and aims to accompany and support churches through learning and change.

What we’re achieving:

At least two annual 5-day DUIM courses offered in different regions of Canada
Customized learning events based on demand
Continuous new learning content that reflects current context and learning

Learn more: DUIM Program Details

Our Network

Why now? The Canadian Council of Churches has an extensive network of relationships with intercultural practitioners through the Theology and Research Group and through FILL and DUIM programming. An ecumenical collaborative network provides a location for mutual support, sharing innovations, and ongoing professional development.

What we’re achieving:

At least two collaborative network events held annually
Specialized initiatives for ongoing professional development
Deeper engagement by growing number of network members

Resources

Educational Resources

FILL Webinars (past virtual events available for ongoing learning).

FILL Resources

FILL resources on Anti-Racism
Theology and Research Resources – Including Toward Interculturality Framework and Guiding Principles

Recent Highlights

Engage Difference Nov. 2025 – Ontario

Engage Difference! Deepening Understanding for Intercultural Ministry (DUIM) Engage Difference! is a transformative 5-day journey (Nov 10-14, 2025) for ministry leaders and community members to explore how culture shapes us and how we can build respectful, intercultural relationships through learning, reflection, and dialogue. Engage Difference! It’s not just a workshop; it’s an interactive journey designed to equip ministry leaders and community members with practical tools for fostering cultural relevance, understanding, and awareness.

Engage Difference May 2025 –Saskatoon

Engage Difference! Deepening Understanding for Intercultural Ministry (DUIM) Engage Difference! is a transformative 5-day journey (May 26-30, 2025) in Saskatoon that equips ministry leaders with practical skills for effective intercultural engagement. Through immersive workshops and collaborative activities, you’ll develop the confidence to navigate cultural differences, create inclusive faith spaces, and build meaningful connections across diverse communities. Don’t just observe diversity—learn to engage it meaningfully!