Impact of Faith Communities at COP

Welcome to our online event where we will explore the Impact of Faith Communities at the Conference of Parties (COP). Join us as we delve into how various faith groups are contributing to environmental sustainability and climate action. Discover the powerful role that faith-based organizations play in advocating for a greener future. This event is a unique opportunity to learn about the intersection of faith and environmentalism. Don’t miss out on this discussion!

Date and time
Mon, 3 Jun 2024 22:00 – Tue, 4 Jun 2024 00:00 AEST
Location
Online
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/impact-of-faith-communities-at-cop-tickets-893476330757
Agenda

13:00 – 13:10

Opening Remarks

Professor Mark Owen

Prof. Mark Owen is Director of the University’s Centre for Religion, Reconciliation and Peace. He gained a First Class BA in Theology and Religious Studies; he holds an MA in Death in World Religions and a PhD in Tibetan Buddhism, all from the University of Winchester. He has carried out extensive fieldwork throughout South Asia as well as research visits to Tibet, China, Mongolia and the Republic of Buryatiya in Southern Siberia. Mark led the development of the MA in Reconciliation and the MA Reconciliation & Peacebuilding. CRRP’s research impact assessed in REF 2014 included the high-impact case study project Religion and Peacebuilding in Nepal, led by Prof. Owen and Prof. Anna King.

13:10 – 13:20
Research Summary: Faith-Based Impact at COP26

Donna-Marie Fry

Donna-Marie Fry is a dedicated learning and development professional deeply committed to peace education. With over ten years of experience collaborating with Non-Profit and Non-Governmental Organizations, Donna is dedicated to crafting and executing impactful training programs and curriculum development initiatives aimed at fostering peacebuilding efforts. An ardent advocate for inclusive research methodologies, Donna is fascinated by the potential of feminist research methods and principles to address power imbalances and promote local ownership within peacebuilding activities. She firmly believes that fostering meaningful, participatory, and collaborative engagement with children and youth is integral to achieving sustainable peace and development.

13:20 – 13:35
The World on our Doorstep: Motivating Scottish Churches for a Green Mainstream

Reverend David Coleman

Reverend David Coleman is Environmental Chaplain for Eco Congregation Scotland, to which post he has since 2018 been seconded full time by the United Reformed Church, supported also through the Church of Scotland and Scottish Episcopal Church. He visits local churches to lead worship and engages in conversation with many bodies on spiritual and environmental issues. He is a member of the Iona Community, and active in developing reflective visual/liturgical material. He has noted the tendencies of churches to look back rather than forward in responses to the crises of nature & climate, but also that their teachings and traditions represent a potentially very valuable resource for spiritual resilience.

13:35 – 13:50
Faith for the Climate: How UK Faith Groups Made COP26 Count

Canon Giles Goddard

Canon Giles Goddard, Vicar of St. John’s, Waterloo, is Chair of Faith for the Climate, advocating interfaith action on climate change. He brings expertise from roles in the Church of England’s Environment Group and General Synod. His forthcoming book, “Generous Faith,” underscores his commitment to vibrant church communities. Dr. Shanon Shah, Director of Faith for the Climate, merges backgrounds in human rights, journalism, and religious studies. With a Ph.D. in the sociology of religion from King’s College London, he also conducts academic research and teaching, including for Inform (https://inform.ac/) and the University of London. Rebecca WalkerWoo is Climate Justice Lead at Quakers in Britain, campaigning for a peaceful, just and sustainable world. She is a climate justice activist, former lawyer, caregiver and in 2020 co-founded the Newham Solidarity Fund.

13:50 – 14:05
Interfaith Scotland: Faith-Based Action in Scotland

Dr Maureen Sier

Maureen is a graduate of Aberdeen University where she graduated with a PhD in Theology. After graduation she taught sociology and history at the National University of Samoa (South Pacific) for four years. Maureen is the Director of Interfaith Scotland and was the first UK scholar to be awarded a Fulbright US/UK Interfaith scholarship (2008). Maureen currently serves on the Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees; the Scottish Government’s Strategic Hate Crime Partnership Group; and she is Chair of the Interfaith Climate Justice Network (Scotland). Maureen became a member of the Baha’i Faith aged 17 and has served on various National Baha’i Institutions both in Scotland and in Samoa. She is married to Nick and has 4 children and 7 grandchildren.

14:05 – 14:20
Interfaith Liaison Committee; Brahma Kumaris: The Talanoa Dialogue

Valériane Bernard

Valériane Bernard, a Raja Yoga meditation practitioner since 1986, represents Brahma Kumaris at the UN, Geneva, promoting climate justice and gender equality. She co-chairs the Interfaith Liaison Committee at UNFCCC and founded the Geneva Interfaith Forum for Climate Change, Environment, and Human Rights. Valériane has been an advocate for ecological awareness since the Rio Earth Summit in 1992.

14:20 – 14:50
Q + A
All presenters

Participants may put questions to any of the presenters and they will do their best to answer them in this slot. Any questions that remain unanswered will be placed on this Padlet to be responded to after the webinar has finished: https://padlet.com/donnamariefrydmf/unanswered-q-a-impact-of-faith-communities-at-cop-qxbfcp97ftz71gop
14:50 – 15:00

Closing Remarks

Professor Mark Owen

Where can I find the research presented in this webinar?
Here is the link to the full report: