This program is designed to give participants the opportunity to experience the special and sacred observances of other faiths. These dinners take place in an intimate family setting with a home cooked meal which provides the best setting for learning about other faiths and cultures firsthand.
You may have heard of something like lent, you may even know the specific religious connotation behind it, but have you ever experienced a meal with a family who is observing it?
“Meet Your Neighbour” is a program where families affiliated with IDI invite guests to their homes to have dinner together. In these programs, families meet, greet, and create a joyful family atmosphere. Families also maintain good relations with their neighbours, regardless of what their religion, beliefs, culture, or race may be.
The purpose behind these programs is to build bridges between communities and experience intercultural interactions. Through these experiences, exchange of ideas, tolerance, development of new forms of dialogue and new friendships are gained. This brings about kindness, respectfulness, generosity and above all else cultural harmony.
Food brings people together and with this simple idea in mind, the Intercultural Dialogue Institute is proud to introduce you the Meet Your Neighbours program. This initiative aims to provide space for people of differing religious and cultural traditions to get-to-know one another in the cozy intimacy of each others’ homes.
Abraham, “Friend of Allah” (c.f. Q4:125) and beloved patriarch for Christians, Muslims and Jews alike, is seen as a leading model of moral and ethical conduct. The biblical tradition illustrates the value of “hospitality” in the story of Abraham at Mamre (Gen. 18:1-33) where Abraham selflessly provides food, shelter and comfort to three unknown travelers in his and his wife Sara’s humble tent. Over the centuries, each of the three traditions has developed a unique cultural and theological expression of this value. Now our kitchens and living rooms provide the same space for hosting temporary gatherings of interreligious and intercultural encounter.
Meet Your Neighbour programs are get-togethers filled with both gifts of hospitality and conversation with the goal of relationship building between various ethnic and religious communities in Canada Through these dialogues, communities can be built and engaged in order to develop relationships based on mutual respect and trust. After all, the sharing of a meal is a sacred space where ripples of change can occur and Meet Your Neighbours program aims to spearhead the grassroots effort to rid our communities of intolerance and fear and to foster understanding and respect.
Gain authentic insights into different cultures and faiths directly from the people who live them every day.
Replace assumptions with real experiences by exploring the world through someone else’s eyes.
Play an active role in creating a culture of peace, respect, and belonging where everyone feels at home.
Transform the strangers on your street into neighbors you know, trust, and cherish.
These connections go beyond polite greetings, evolving into genuine bonds of mutual support and care.
Experience the profound sense of belonging that comes from knowing you have true friends just a few doors down.
Whether you choose to host a visit or be a guest, you are taking a powerful step toward breaking down barriers.
It’s completely natural to have questions or even a little hesitation about trying something new—especially when it involves meeting new people. We want you to feel confident, comfortable, and fully informed before you join in. Below, we’ve answered the most common queries to put your mind at ease and get you ready for your first connection.
MYN is a community-building initiative organized by Intercultural Dialogue Institute and local community partners to bring together individuals from diverse cultural, faith, and social backgrounds through shared meals, conversation, and seasonal events. It’s about turning strangers into neighbours through trust, hospitality, and dialogue.
Everyone is welcome! The event is open to the public, including families, newcomers, students, seniors, community leaders, and anyone who values connection, inclusion, and shared community spaces.
Safety and comfort are our top priorities. We have a registration and vetting process for all participants—both hosts and guests—to ensure a secure environment. We also provide a “First Meeting Guide” with tips to help everyone feel relaxed and safe during the visit.
Absolutely not. The sole purpose of Meet Your Neighbour is to foster dialogue, understanding, and friendship across different communities. Proselytizing (trying to convert others to a different belief or religion) is strictly against our guidelines. We are here to learn from each other, not to change each other.
Not at all! Everyone is welcome. Whether you are deeply religious, spiritual, agnostic, atheist, or simply curious about the world, your perspective is valuable. Our diversity is what makes these conversations so enriching.
What do we talk about? It’s very relaxed! A typical visit usually involves sharing tea, coffee, or a simple meal. The goal is just to have open, friendly conversation. You might talk about your families, your work, your hobbies, or share stories about your cultural backgrounds. We also provide optional “conversation starters” if you need them.
Each event typically includes:
No. While Meet Your Neighbour includes participation from diverse faith communities and may include reflections or blessings from different traditions, it is not a religious service. It is designed to be welcoming and respectful for people of all beliefs and backgrounds.
MYN events range from larger community table gatherings to intimate neighbour-to-neighbour family style dinners. The only investment required is your time, an open mind, and a willingness to connect with someone new in your neighbourhood. While many events are free, some may include a small symbolic fee to honour the hospitality of host families. Voluntary donations are also welcome to help sustain and grow the program.
You can register through Eventbrite (via the flyer or our website), complete the form at meetyourneighbour.ca, or reach out directly at info@idialogue.ca.
Yes! We are always looking for Volunteer Ambassadors to help greet guests, lead table conversations, or assist with logistics. Email info@idialogue.ca to express interest.
Yes! Children are welcome and there will be activities or seating arrangements that accommodate families.
