Leeds Faiths Forum - Inter Faith Conference on the Environment

at Leeds Metropolitan University

15 March 2009

 

A most successful conference was held on 15 March 2009 when 80 people from 6 faiths engaged with crucial aspects of the crisis of our Environment.  We  heard first from The Rt Hon John Battle MP who spoke on local , community, national and global aspects of the Environment. Then speakers from the 6 faiths spoke of their understanding of the environment from the point of view of their faith. This was followed  by 5 workshops, and then a presentation by John Cummins of the Leeds Groundwork Project on how we could be immediately involved in environmental work in Leeds.

Read papers from the conference by clicking here

The following points significantly emerged in the conference:

• The conference recognised the urgency of the threat to our Environment through global warming, and both speakers and workshop leaders emphasised how people of Faith should make this issue a priority. 

• The conference showed a remarkable amount in common at a profound level between the 6 Faiths represented. Without any attempt to harmonise the approaches of the different faiths, each faith representative clearly outlined their faith’s basic beliefs and how they would be brought to bear on the Environment issue – and the resonance between their views was striking. The urgency of the environmental crisis went to the heart of each faith represented. 

• The conference also highlighted an integral link between our morality and the state of the environment.  This emerged:

in issues of justice, where the poor suffer disproportionately from the effects of global warming;

in a basic respect for the Creation of which we are a part;

in disillusionment with the economic system and the attitudes of greed which have contributed to the present recession;

in recognition of the role of women;

in recognition of the importance of the local; 

• The conference was remarkable for recognition of the seriousness of the threat to the environment and also the degree of similar spiritual attitude. This suggested great potential for dialogue and joint action among people of different faiths for the good of our shared world. The conference has provided a first step for concerted action between the Faiths in Leeds in tackling environment issues.

The following steps are now being taken

• The 14 positive responses to working in the Groundwork Project are being passed to John Cummins of Groundwork, with a view to implementing action as soon as possible. Faith communities are invited to provide a base from which volunteers can operate. 

• The texts of the presentations are being compiled into a full report on the Conference, which will then be circulated to those who attended the conference, and to others who are interested.

• The planning group of the conference will be meeting in May to assess which of the ideas arising at the conference could be taken forward using the considerable power of Faith Communities working together. 

• Details of other Environment conferences, courses and events will also be circulated.

The conference was the initiative of the Leeds Faiths Forum whose role is to articulate the voice and practical contribution of the different faiths working together in Leeds, in particular working with Local Government in the Vision for Leeds agenda. Leeds Faiths Forum is a signed up partner in the Leeds Strategic Plan and is represented on the Narrowing the Gap board.

Charles Dobbin, Vice Chair Leeds Faiths Forum 21.3.09

 

Inter Faith Conference on the Environment  – 15 March 2009

Speakers and workshop leaders and their subjects

 

 

John Battle  has represented Leeds West as a Labour Member of Parliament since 1987. He gave the keynote speech, connecting local, national, global and spiritual aspects of the environment.

 

Cynthia Dickinson is a retired teacher now doing voluntary work for Leeds Concord and Leeds Faiths Forum - amongst others.  She is Pagan Federation North East's District Inter Faith Officer.

She was a speaker, along with Rob Martin, on the Pagan  attitude to the Environment.

 

Fazlun Khalid is Founder and Director of the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences; Leading Islamic eco theologian; One of the world leaders in the Faith and Nature movement.

He was a speaker on the Muslim attitude to the Environment and also led a workshop on “Making connections between the environment and economics”.

 

Emma King is Education and Awareness Officer, Recycling and Waste, Leeds City Council. She led a workshop on “Household Waste & Recycling”.

Rob Martin is a self-employed story teller and trainer in community development and CVS management.  He is also the Pagan Federation's Local Co-ordinator for Bradford and Halifax areas. He was a speaker, along with Cynthia Dickinson, on the Pagan  attitude to the Environment.

 

David Midgely   is Programme Director, Schumacher North  He was a speaker on the Buddhist attitude to the Environment and also led a workshop on “Faith-based Responses to the Climate Crisis”

 

George Munson is Climate Change Officer, Sustainable Development Unit, Leeds City Council. He led a workshop on “Energy Use & Climate Change”.

David Raffaelli is Professor and Head of Department, Environment, University of York. He led a workshop on “Biodiversity in a time of change: how should we respond?”.

Dr G.R.K.Sastry  is a senior lecturer in the Genetics department of Leeds University, and spoke on the Hindu attitude to the Environment.

 

Jasjit Singh is studying for a PhD in Sikhism at Leeds University and was a speaker on the Sikh attitude to the Environment.

 

The Rev’d Ian White is Environment Officer for the Anglican Diocese of Ripon and Leeds and was a speaker on the Christian attitude to the Environment

 

 

FURTHER CONTACT WITH LEEDS FAITHS FORUM

 

Chair              Harbans Sagoo     hssagoo@gnnsj.wanadoo.co.uk      0113 266 2226

Vice Chair    Charles Dobbin     cdobbin@aol.com                                0113 268 4598