The 2009 Parliament of World's Religions was held in Melbourne in early December. Jimmy Carter addressed the conference via video message on the 'Religious Imperative for the Equality of Women and Girls'.

Quoting The Elders' statement on discriminatory religious and traditional practices, he reiterated his desire that the "leaders of all religions have the courage to acknowledge and emphasise the positive messages of dignity and equality that all the world's major faiths share."