FOLLOW US
Interfaith Forum in New York on Climate Change
Written by UPF - International
Monday, September 21, 2009
New York, USA - Two hundred religious leaders from around the world convened at the Church Center across from the UN headquarters on September 21 to collectively reflect, share, and commit to “follow the call of our religions [that] we must all learn to live together within the shared limits of our planet.”
The gathering ended with a Call to Action which recognized that "climate change is not merely an economic or technical problem, but at its core is a moral, spiritual and cultural one," and therefore "governments alone cannot make the change of heart and mind that will turn the human-earth community into a global culture of ecological responsibility. This task belongs to all of us."
Faith communities were urged to join their religious leaders in this commitment and persuade world leaders to take urgent action to stop and reverse the detrimental impact of climate change.
The UN Development Programme Assistant Secretary-General Olav Kjorven reflected that the task of the government representatives at the upcoming summit was in fact a spiritual responsibility, and he lauded the efforts of religious communities such as the Taoists and Buddhists who committed to a concrete seven-year plan of action to reverse climate change.
Universal Peace Federation staff served on the Organizing Committee and co-sponsored the event.
If you find this page helpful and informative please consider making donation. Your donation will help Universal Peace Federation (UPF) provide new and improved reports, analysis and publications to you and everyone around the world.
UPF is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization and all donations are tax deductible in the United States. Receipts are automatically provided for donations of or above $250.00.
|
Donate to the Universal Peace Federation: Your donation to support the general programs of UPF. |
Donate to the Religious Youth Service (RYS): Your donation will be used for service projects around the world. |
Donate to UPF's Africa Projects: Your donation will be used for projects in Africa. |
Related Articles
United Kingdom
UPF-UK Visits Hindu Youth Summer Camp
Birmingham, United Kingdom—UPF spoke to around 120 Hindu youths about interfaith and peace activities.
Lebanon
UPF-Lebanon Hosts Interfaith Meeting
Beirut, Lebanon—UPF, under the auspices of the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development, held a meeting of 15 clergy leaders.
Austria
UPF-Austria Co-Sponsors Interfaith Conference
Vienna, Austria—“[Religious] walls must come down, if we are to aim for a world of peace," the UPF founder once said.