This year, the annual four-day Comunicaciones de ISKCON Conference was held at Prabhupada Desh, Vicenza, Italy, from May 3–6. It expanded this year to include guests from around the world, as well as eighty participants from Europe.

“It was a great success, thanks to the high numbers of participants,” said Mahaprabhu Dasa, the ISKCON Communications Director in Europe. “Both the topics addressed and the quality of the presentations were interesting and engaging. The topics allowed the participants to ask many questions and reflect on what they can apply in their own countries. Prabhupada Desh is a wonderful venue. The devotees took very good care of all of us with nice meals and facilities.”

Three days of panels and workshops took place, with topics ranging from education, youth, science, and human rights, to working with the United Nations. 

“It was wonderful to have the association of so many sadhus,” said Urmila Devi Dasi, who spoke about establishing a philosophy of education in ISKCON. “I really enjoyed the presentation about religious liberty by Professor Massimo Introvigne,” she said. “It gave me lots of new insights and information. I also love hearing the reports from places all over the world about what the devotees were doing. Very enlivening and celebratory!” 

A half-hour drama was performed by the Swiss Mangala Drama Troupe. Ten actors from Switzerland, three musicians, and over a dozen local extras performed Krishna & Kamsa – Love & Hatred. The play contrasted the vastly different relationships in Mathura under Kamsa (hierarchy, arrogance, and violence) with the sweet, informal, and loving exchanges between Krishna and His devotees in Vrindavan.

Anuttama Dasa, ISKCON Global Communications Minister, said, “The ISKCON Communications Conference in Europe is an opportunity for communications devotees and others interested in maintaining and enhancing Srila Prabhupada’s movement’s reputation and influence to come together and be inspired and understand how to better serve Lord Caitanya and our previous acaryas.”

He added, “I greatly appreciated the presentation of Gopal Lila, who has been working with the United Nations for many years on environmental issues. He mapped out the opportunities we have to try to network and encourage all people to be more proactive in their protection of Mother Bhumi.”

The fourth day of the conference featured a trip to Verona. The group visited the San Zeno Basilica and then had a discussion with Gianni Ballarini, who spoke about the interfaith work of the Catholic Church in Verona and also reflected on the legacy of Pope Francis, who had died a week earlier. 

Comunicaciones de ISKCON works to create and sustain favorable environments for advancing the goals of the Krishna consciousness movement. The Ministry and global team are designated to interface and network with the media, governments, religious leaders, academics, nongovernment organizations, and other social and community leaders on behalf of ISKCON. 

This annual meeting has been taking place for more than three decades and gives preachers and leaders within the movement the opportunity to share experiences and gain new insights and inspiration in their services. 

To learn more about ISKCON Communications, please visit their sitio web. To see a .pdf of the full program, click aquí. See the gallery below for more images of communications leaders who attended the conference.