Glasgow Interfaith Talanoa Dialogue Towards COP26

The 26th Conference of Parties (COP 26) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow, Scotland, is a crucial moment for governments to adopt the guidelines for the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement.

As members of faith communities, we have made significant contributions in addressing the immense challenges posed by climate change through advocacy, mobilisation, capacity building and education. While gathering around the COP 26, it will be good for us to have a moment of sharing together.

This gathering aims to serve as a platform for faith communities attending COP26 to share their initiatives, concerns and hopes in their work for climate justice under a Talanoa Dialogue framework.

Talanoa dialogues are indigenous peoples from Fiji’s way of solving problems in their communities, and the Fijian Presidency of COP 23 introduced the concept to work on the most challenging issues. The methodology of the Talanoa Dialogue lead participants to address the following questions:

– Where are we?

– Where do we want to go?

– How do we get there?

This event will introduce an opening panel that will expose the different topics that will be available for conversation, followed by small-group Talanoa dialogues where participants will be able to exchange perspectives and thoughts. This will be followed by an interfaith spiritual service and a light shared meal.

We invite all faith-oriented participants and those who are interested to participate in this informal gathering.

The plenary discussion and the interfaith service will be livestreamed on youtube and online participation to the small discussion groups will take place via zoom.

Opening panel: bit.ly/TalanoaOpening

Interfaith Service: bit.ly/TalanoaInterfaithService

Small-group discussions: bit.ly/TalanoaZoom

Register Here

The Talanoa Dialgoue:

On Sunday 31 October, the Interfaith Liaison Committee (ILC) to the United Nations Framework Convention (UNFCCC) of which Interfaith Glasgow Glasgow and Interfaith Scotland are members held the Talanoa Dialogue at the Garnethill Synagogue.

Our Chair, Philip Mendelsohn was present at the Talanoa Dialogue and said:

“It was delightful to see so many people from many faiths and from all over the world coming together in Garnethill Synagogue for the Talanoa Dialogue. What made it very special for me is that Garnethill is the synagogue, which I attend and that the Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis was able to welcome the delegates. Congratulations to the ILC for arranging this event, it has been a pleasure for Interfaith Glasgow (IG) to work with the ILC and contribute to the COP experience. It is clear that people of faith are united in their view of the importance of taking action to address the climate emergency. IG looks forward to continuing to work with the many new friends made”.

Talanoa dialogues are indigenous people’s way from Fiji of solving problems in their communities. The Fijian Presidency of COP 23 introduced the concept to work on the most challenging issues. The methodology of the Talanoa Dialogue leads participants to address the following questions:

– Where are we?
– Where do we want to go?
– How do we get there?

The Chief Rabbi of Scotland, Rabbi Mirvis, welcomes participants to Garnethill Synagogue and the Talanoa Dialogue

Commencement of the Talanoa Dialogue

Rev. James Bhagwan of Fiji – and the Pacific Council of Churches – explains the principles of Talanoa Dialgoues

Participants from different faiths at the Talanoa Dialogues

Sister Jayanti of the Brahma Kumaris speaking at the Talanoa Dialogues

Group discussion at the Talanoa Dialogue

Ceremony of Light at the Talanoa Dialogue

A Video of the Talanoa Dialogue has been added to the Interfaith Start to COP26 article.