Since the UN Civil Society Conference in May 2024, the Faith-based Solutions ImPACT Coalition and has convened weekly meetings with over 20 faith groups resulting in the following activities:
Joint Statement by the Faith-based Solutions ImPACT Coalition
"From Greed to Deeds– A Call to Action from the Faith Community to Global Leaders"
Youth Forum on the Future of the Environment
Date: 20 September 2024 | Time: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm | Location: Estonian House (243 East 34th Street, New York) | Register
The Children and Youth Major Group, supported by UNEP, GO4SDGs, in collaboration with UNICEF, ILO, and the Governments of Oman and Hungary, is convening the Youth Forum on the Future of the Environment to bring to the forefront the voices of young environmental leaders from around the world.
Building on the outcomes of the 2024 Global Youth Environment Assembly and the 2024 Global Youth Declaration on Environment, this Youth Forum will serve as an interactive platform where young people, policymakers, and other stakeholders can collaboratively shape narratives and strategies for intergenerational collaboration on the future of the environment. The primary focus areas of the forum are Jobs of the Future, Science-Policy Interface, and the Intergenerational Collaboration for the Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment.
Faith-based Solutions for the Pact for the Future and Beyond
Date: Friday, 20 September 2024 | Time: 9:30-11:00 am (Light breakfast from 9am) Hybrid | Location: Church Center for the United Nations (777 UN Plaza) - 2nd Floor
Register (in-person and online)
Interreligious dialogue can strengthen social cohesion and contribute to sustainable development, but even further, interreligious dialogue in fact has the potential to contribute to peace even as religion is often used as a catalyst for conflict. Additionally, faith actors are key partners for reaching the unreachable and for achieving sustainable development.Their engagement has had considerable impact at local, regional, and national levels. Thereshould be a deliberate consideration of their inclusion in international policy discussions.
The event will present case studies and good practices by the UN system and civil society inengaging with faith leaders and actors. They will share insights, experiences, and actionablestrategies for achieving sustainable development and peace, and to advocate for the inclusion offaith language in UN processes. We will challenge each other to vision boldly beyond the Pactfor the Future by imagining Our Pact for the Future.
Speakers:
- Celine Bankumuhari, Head External Relations and Advocacy, Faith to Action Network(Moderator)
- Jamil Ahmad, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, New York Office, United NationsEnvironment Programme (UNEP)
- Dr. Husna Ahmad, CEO, Global One
- Sylvain Obedi, Executive Director, Enable the Disable
- David Munene, Programs Manager, Catholic Youth Network for EnvironmentalSustainability in Africa (CYNESA)
- Karol Arámbula, Programme Management Officer on Human Mobility and Climate Justice, ACT Alliance Latin America and the Caribbean
- Mikael Jägerskog, Senior Policy Advisor, PMU
- Yahia Zaidi, Advocacy Manager, GIN - SSOGIE (TBC)
Empowering Youth for Sustainable Futures: Intergenerational Responsibility and Skills for a Just Transition
Date: 20 September 2024: | Time: 3 - 4:15 pm | Location: Conference Room 2, UN Headquarters, New York
Co-organized with UNEP and the Government of Cyprus, in partnership with ILO, UNICEF, the Government of India, and the Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP, this side event will host an intergenerational dialogue between youth, UN leaders, government ministers, and experts on green skills and education. It will explore the intersection of green jobs, education, and sustainable lifestyles, highlighting how these elements can converge to create a just and equitable future for all.
Learn more HERE
Other partners are engaged as follows:
GOING BEYOND GDP: A Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Inclusive and Sustainable Development
Date: 20th September 2024 | Time: 10AM - 11.30AM | Location: Tzu Chi Center, 229 E 60th, NY, 10022 | RSPV
Interfaith Youth Responses to the Century's Biggest Challenges: Faith-Based Contributions to the Summit of the Future
Date: Friday, 20 September 2024 | Time: 2:30PM – 4:00PM EDT | Location: 11th Floor , 777 United Nations Plaza, NY 10017 | Register
Religions for Peace and ICYF, in collaboration with key partners, will convene diverse religious leaders, interfaith youth, and experts to:
- Demonstrate how youth are motivated and empowered to take initiative in addressing major global challenges through reflections on faith-based values and teachings;
- Highlight and recognise successful youth-led projects and initiatives that have made a significant impact on their communities and beyond;
- Address the importance of mental health and environmental sustainability in creating inclusive and prosperous societies;
- Encourage and promote effective partnerships between civil society organisations, including faith-based organisations, other sectors of society and youth groups, to foster a united approach to humanitarian and global issues.
Discussion will focus on the crucial role of youth, inspired by faith and core values, as agents and catalysts for addressing global crises and building communities of the future. It will touch on fostering faith as a source of and a foundational inspiration from which springs the fountains of hope, peace, mental wellbeing for ensuring a healthy environment for all within a framework of holistic development.
Mr. Jamil Ahmad, Director, UN New York Office and Ms. Hannah Block, Advisor to the Faith for Earth Youth Council will be speaking, amongst other distinguished guests.
Session Report
Intergenerational Leadership for the Acceleration of SDGs 3, 4, and 5
Date: 20 September 2024 | Time: 2pm - 4:30pm EDT | Location: Permanent Mission of the AU to the UN (305 E 47th St, New York, NY 10017, United States)
Highlighting the essential roles of non-state actors, including religious and community leaders, in advancing critical Sustainable Development Goals related to health, education, and gender equality.
Youth and Faith – Shaping a New Paradigm for Climate Action.Date: Saturday, 21 September 2024 | Time: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Venue: Private Dining Room 1 and 2, Delegates Dining Hall, UN Conference Building, New York.At the event, we will be joined by prominent guests, including:
1. H.E. Molwyn Joseph, Minister of Health and the Environment of Antigua and Barbuda
2. H.E. Saboto Ceasar, Minister of Agriculture, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
3. Juan Carlos Monterrey, National Climate Change Director, Panama
4. Hazel Dixon, Regional Desk Officer, African Union Citizens and Diaspora Directorate (CIDO)
Reflections on the Interreligious Imperative for the Pact for the Future and the Multilateralism based on Human Fraternity
Date: Monday, September 23, 2024 | Time: 2:00-5:30 pm | Location: Church Center for the United Nations (CCUN), 777 United Nations Plaza 8th Fl., New York
Register (In-person) | Register (Online)
The Consultation aims to:
- Examine the ethical considerations in the Pact for the Future and the Declaration on Future Generations from an interfaith perspective.
- Recognize the role of religious communities and interfaith organizations in safeguarding future generations' needs and interests.
- Facilitate engagement between faith-based and interreligious organizations and the UN, to deliver on the Pact for the Future and the Declaration on Future Generations.
- Develop mechanisms to raise awareness and engage religious communities for the fulfillment of the Pact for the Future and the Declaration on Future Generations.
- Integrate the perspectives of children and youth of faith in addressing the themes and issues discussed at the Summit of the Future.
- Involve interfaith children and youth leaders in intergenerational dialogue to contribute towards a more peaceful, just, and inclusive world.
Youths as Agents of Social Change
Date: 24 September 2024 | Time: 09:30 AM - 11:00 AM EDT | Location: Tzu Chi Center
Register
A multilateral conversation on Trends, Best Practices, Challenges, and Way-forward in Youth Participation toward Environmental, Economic, and Social Development.
Accountability, advocacy, and action bridge youth involvement in accomplishing the SDGs and tackling the climate crisis with the Pact for the Future’s emphasis on youth empowerment and intergenerational partnerships for the meaningful inclusion of young people on a global scale.
Faith and the Future: What’s Next?
Date: 24 September 2024 | Location: Church Center for the United Nations (CCUN)777 United Nations Plaza 2nd Floor | Short remarks will commence at 18:30 Please RSVP to Rebekka.Read@wcc-coe.org
Join us for a High Level Multi-faithReception to engage in dialogue on faith commitments to realize the Pact of the Future.
In conjunction with the Multi-faith Advisory Council to the UN Inter-agency TaskForce on Religion and Sustainable Development and a wide coalition of faith actors.
Previous
Mr. Dhruv Bhatt (Faith for Earth Youth Council 2024 - 2026) highlighted the need for more faith-based engagement at regional conferences, supporting young people in the Asia-Pacific Region to shape the Summit for the Future Outcome Documents at "Interventions by ARROW, Partners and the Asia-Pacific SOTF Regional Convening Youth Scholars at the Summit of the Future".
Read more:
