Care for Creation as a Common Denominator: Interfaith Approaches to Environmental Peacebuilding (A Road to Geneva Event)

Feb 11, 2021 | Young Evangelicals for Climate Action, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies and Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion at the University of Notre Dame, and Environmental Peacebuilding Association
online
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The modern climate crisis is not only a signal of geophysical phenomena but also spiritual phenomena, revealing human tendencies for waste and greed. Therefore, the response to this challenge is not only technological but also relational, and can engage diverse communities for the global good.

In the current moment, the severity of the climate crisis calls for unified, global action. However, in many cases, local mobilization is the prerequisite for effective national or global action. Faith is a powerful force for mobilizing diverse communities at the local level to engage in environmental action. Faith education and leadership can have a great influence over people's personal lives and political stances, providing critical infrastructure for community engagement.

Many diverse faiths share a similar ethic of care for the environment. Coupling this shared environmental concern with interfaith dialogue can be a powerful example of community-based environmental peacebuilding, and opens up opportunities for creativity in programming and policy.

Opening Remarks: Elsa Barron, University of Notre Dame Senior, YECA Climate Leadership Fellow

Moderator: Dr. Mahan Mirza, Executive Director, Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion

Panelists:

  • Gopal Patel, Director of Bhumi Global
  • Huda Alkaff, Founder and Director of Wisconsin Green Muslims
  • Rabbi Yonatan Neril, Founder and Director of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development
  • Elena Cedillo, Program Executive for Climate Justice at the Lutheran World Federation

Date: February 11th, 2021

Time: 11 am EST, 5 pm Geneva

Register Here: https://notredame.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Wr_qczZfRQ6erIEp6mliSg 

This interfaith dialogue around the environment will kick-off a three-part series exploring the role of faith communities in environmental peacebuilding. Additional information about the other two sessions, listed below, will be available soon.  

  • Webinar 2- February 18 at 11 am EST: Decolonizing the Land: Christian Grassroots Approaches to Environmental Peacebuilding
  • Webinar 3 - February 25 at 11 am EST: Practicing what we Preach: Dialogue and Futurism in Environmental Peacebuilding