Event

Voices of hope and faith - Sharing visions of living in harmony with nature

The World Council of Churches, ACT Alliance, Lutheran World Federation and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are proposing a panel discussion to highlight the work of faith communities and especially indigenous, women and young faith leaders in mobilizing collective global action to protect nature and biodiversity and deliver critical reflections on enhanced biodiversity governance for climate resilience and posterity.

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indigenous women COP26
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Date: 28 February 2022

Time: 18:15 - 19:45 EAT or 16:15 - 17:45 CET

Link: https://lutheranworld-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vt2jiUDZTUWrCHG-lTgzeg

 

The objective of the event is to amplify the voices, sharing experiences, and solutions of indigenous, women and young people that are harnessing their determination, concerns, and vision for a sustainable and just future, and are channelling their energy towards positive change.

As people of faith, we are called to live in a harmonious relationship with creation and to not exhaust it. While nature and biodiversity are dramatically affected by climate change impacts, indigenous, women and young people are already taking action and are moving towards protecting the world. They are connected, promoting positive change including in biodiversity and resource governance, and are motivating others to take action while bringing us hope.

The event will allow Indigenous, women and young faith leaders to contribute through delivery of policy options to the UNEA assembly, gather ideas and build momentum for the implementation of the Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

Due to the unprecedented situation, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the participation of indigenous people, women and young people, especially those who are in communities and countries in developing countries face additional challenges in engaging in important  global policy making forums. Our event aims to bridge this gap while highlighting the unique role of women and young faith leaders in global efforts for a more resilient future.

The event will include:

Hope and Action video (5 minutes) that explores the various ways that faith actors, especially Indigenous, youth and women are taking action to protect nature and biodiversity.

Interactive discussion for sharing and learning: Indigenous, women and youth representatives from Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, North America, South America, and MENA region will share their concerns, reflections, and solutions in the face of biodiversity loss and natural resources degradation.

Programme:

Opening by Rev Anne Burghardt (LWF) and a representative from the Danish environment ministry (TBC)

Interactive discussion moderated by Rudelmar Bueno de Faria (ACT Alliance)

  • Sara Keranen (Finland, Indigenous Youth) TBC
  • Frances Namoumou (Fiji) or Iemaima Jennifer Vaai (Samoa/Fiji, Youth)
  • Collins Shava (Zimbabwe/Kenya, Youth)
  • Jocabed Solano (Panama, Indigenous)
  • Fernanda Zuniga (Chile, Youth)

Closing by Prof Isabel Apawo Phiri (WCC)

Desired outcomes

  • Presenting possible policy options to tackle challenges in biodiversity conservation and enhance effective biodiversity governance for climate action
  • Increasing visibility of faith actors’ efforts in tackling loss of biodiversity that jeopardizes human well being
  • Knowledge and experience sharing contributing to insights around the implementation of the Post 2020 Biodiversity Framework
  • Mobilizing people of faith for local biodiversity and climate action

Expected reach (number of participants)

An event space for 100 attendees and 7 panelists (one representative from each region that we are present in Asia-Pacific, Caribbean, Africa, Europe, North America, South America, MENA).

Broader audience via livestreaming in YouTube.

Spanish and French translation will be available.