UNEP’s Faith for Earth Initiative, in partnership with the United Religions Initiative (URI), launched an innovative training in 2021 to bring interfaith and intra-faith communities and institutions together around climate action: The Faith for Earth Councillor Programme. In India, the project was implemented with the support of URI Cooperation Circle members, Religion World and Shristi. This report documents the cumulative journey of the four-month programme and each of its four phases. Readers will learn elements of the project including objectives, activities, outcomes and first-hand perspectives from some of the stakeholders who participated in making this initiative an inclusive, diverse and productive exercise. The report captures the core messages of faith leaders on key questions and concerns related to the planetary crisis and possible engagement strategies for their followers.
An Overview of the Faith for Earth Councillors Programme
Phase I
In February 2021, a survey was launched to determine the top three envrionmental priorities for FBOs in India. The survey attracted 61 responses from FBOs relating to the Bahai, Buddhist, Christianity, Hindu, Islam, Jain, Sikh, and interfaith groups, reflecting the need to bolster capacities in the areas of Climate Change, Waste Management, and Biodiversity.
Faith for Earth and URI are committed to building a common understanding between institutions and organisations to use their faith-based inspirations, knowledge, teachings, wisdom and scripture for the benefit of People and the Planet.
Phase II
In March 2021, the India Hub facilitated the first of two capacity-building sessions consisting of three cluster meetings with high-level FBOs from the Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Baháʼí and Sikh communities along with other faith groups. Noting very strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocols and guidelines, these meetings sought to engage with faith leaders primarily from Delhi, India.
These cluster meetings were aimed at strengthening and consolidating the network of FBOs that are working to address environmental emergencies discussing UNEPs Medium-Term Strategy, FBO's current practices and activities to conserve ecology, and various inter-faith dialogues on climate, ecosystem, their strengths, challenges and scope of this program in protecting the earth. The training program bolstered and documented the contributions of an active and inspiring network that models cross sectoral learning in order to build cultures of peace, justice.
Dr Iyad Abu Moghli, Founder & Director- Faith for Earth, UNEP, emphasised the importance of reaching each and every person in this urgent call for environmental action. He further posited that adjusting the relationship between the People and the Planet requires adjusting the understanding of our liability towards the Earth. Faith for Earth focuses on highlighting the ethical, moral and spiritual responsibility that individuals and groups hold as duty bearers. The role of religious actors is essential to restore harmony to the unbalanced relationship.
Mr Atul Bagai, Head of UN Environment Country Office, India, added that there is an important link between the health of all species and of the planet. He shared that India was the first country to recognise this issue and form a high-level steering committee at a policy level. Mr Atul stressed that as FBOs have a vast sphere of influence, that can be used to catalyse current attitudes in production and consumption for a green future and harmonious existence.
Faith Leaders and FBOs highlighted a number of common opportunities:
- Engage faith communities in creative and innovative ways for greater uptake of environmental messages;
- Create a network of FBOs around environmental priorities to share capacities, learning resources, and financial resources;
- Engage with the scientific community so that expressions of faith can truly honour Creation; and more...
Phase III
In April 2021, the India Hub devised the Faith for Earth Councillor Action Plan in consultation with the FBOs that presents practical ways in which Faith Leaders and FBOs can support their communities in the areas of Climate Change, Waste Management, and Biodiversity.
