Confluence of Conscience: Uniting Faith Leaders for Planetary Resurgence
Over the past years, faith-based organizations and figures have demonstrated clear commitment and leadership in coming together to address global challenges including environmental justice.
Date: 6-7 November 2023
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
participation by invitation only
Countless initiatives and actions exemplify this commitment such as the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, signed by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb, and launched from Abu Dhabi to the world in 2019 – a declaration that specifically called for humanity to work to stop environmental decay.
Building on the historic interfaith environmental appeal launched from the Vatican on October 4, 2021 and signed by 40 faith leaders of diverse religions and backgrounds – a November 2023 meeting among high-level religious leaders will serve as a platform for robust discussions on the moral responsibility of nations, institutions, and individuals in addressing contemporary world challenges including the climate crisis and its impact on humanity.
About the Confluence of Conscience
The primary objective of the meeting among high-level faith leaders is to harness and sustain their collective wisdom, influence, and spiritual guidance to raise awareness about climate change and other global challenges facing humanity and to inspire concrete action to address them. By focusing on the common moral dimensions of religions and belief systems, we aim to ignite a profound sense of responsibility and urgency among nations, institutions, and individuals, driving them to adopt an accelerated approach to preserve the rights of future generations and the most vulnerable communities and protect the Earth’s fragile ecosystems.
Themes
The meeting will revolve around the following thematic areas:
- Moral Imperative: Exploring the ethical and moral foundations of religions, emphasizing the interconnectedness of humanity and the natural world, and highlighting the spiritual imperative for preserving and restoring the Earth’s equilibrium.
- Faith and Science Collaboration: Encouraging an inclusive dialogue between faith leaders, women, and youth with the scientific community to bridge the gap between empirical evidence and spiritual teachings, forging alliances that strengthen sustainable development advocacy and sustainability efforts.
- Policy Influence: Discuss strategies to amplify the voices of faith leaders in policy spaces, promoting climate justice, influencing decision-makers, and advocating for policies that reflect the shared moral responsibility towards the people and the planet.
- Grassroots Engagement: Empowering faith communities and organizations, women, scientists, and youth to embrace sustainable practices, raise awareness, and undertake meaningful actions that contribute to sustainable development.
The Muslim Council of Elders in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Faith for Earth Coalition will host this gathering, aimed at establishing an institutional mechanism to engage faith leaders in joint climate work over the next seven years.
Faith Logos with the Blue Marble Earth; Blue Marble Earth is a remastered image, © NASA
Source
Image Source
Image Credit: NASA / Apollo 17 Crew
