The conference was aimed at examining seriously the deeper insights of life and its origin through the interdisciplinary approach of science and spirituality/theology. The conference also attempted to carefully examine the scientific data from religious viewpoint and generate some new research projects for the scientific study of life, its meaning and purpose, consciousness and God. Over 250 scientists, religious scholars and other thinkers from around the world participated in the Congress. There were 37 international speakers. The Vatican Academy under the patronage of the Pope officially participated in this Congress by sending one speaker from the Vatican Academy and fifteen other scholars from the universities run by the Vatican. The venue was the historic and prestigious Protometaca Hall in the very heart of Rome which is also used by the Peace Nobel Laureates every year for their Annual Nobel Peace Summit under the Gorbachev Foundation. There was a public lecture free of charge on Nov. 11 at the prestigious Angelicum Vatican University Hall having a capacity of 1,500.

The President of Italy Mr. Carlo Azelio Ciampi very much appreciated the Congress and expressed the following words: “The Second World Congress on ‘Life and Its Origin – Exploration from Science and Various Spiritual / Religious Traditions’ represents an occasion to strengthen our commitment towards life’s values … The confrontation and dialogue at this congress must be the instruments to realize a new humanism, one that is founded on peace and integration of the diverse identities of the world’s people. In this same spirit, the President of the Italian Republic, expresses his profound appreciation for the Bhaktivedanta Institute and offers his cordial salutation to the illustrious speakers, to the Event’s organizers and to all the participants of the Congress.”

This three day conference generated a lot of interest among all the participants for a constructive dialogue between science and religion.