Love and Respect the Earth: Multi-Religious Collaboration to Address the Climate Crisis

In honor of Earth Day, Religions for Peace in partnership with the City Council of Manresa, Catalonia, Spain held the hybrid event “Love and Respect the Earth: Multi-Religious Collaboration to Address the Climate Crisis” on 21 April, 2022. We had the pleasure to hear opening remarks from Mr. Marc Aloy I. Guàrdia, Mayor of Manresa and Professor Dr. Azza Karam, Secretary General of Religions for Peace who emphasized “the case to be made for serving one another has become only more urgent as we face the degradation of our environment.” Moderation was provided by Professor Joan Hernández Serret, delegate of Religions for Peace-Spain.

The main panel was moderated by Mr. Philbert Aganyo, Chairperson of the Kenya Interfaith Youth Network. We heard remarks from Ms. Ligia Matamoros, Religions for Peace International Youth Committee member who said that “talking about taking care of the world around us is talking about taking care of us.” Dr. Antoni Matabosch, member of Grupo de Treball Estable de Religiones spoke of how “religions are indispensable for overcoming the ecological crisis.” Speakers also included Rev. Doyeon Park, Representative of Won Buddhism at the UN and Ms. Mayssam Imad, Environmental Champion at Adyan Foundation who compared learning about nature to dating. She spoke of how a “love story can’t see the light without a date. People need to date nature to deepen their knowledge; to visit and see the richness and forest, sea, mountains, reserves and enjoy it.”

Participants were then invited into breakout rooms to discuss a variety of topics such as the role of faith leaders, women, and youth in multi-religious collaboration to address the climate crisis.

Closing remarks were delivered by Ms. Merylene Chithari, Religions for Peace Youth Media Team member and Professor Joan Hernández Serret.

The event focused on conversations revolving around how faith actors, youth, women, civil society, and policy makers can effectively work together to ensure the preservation and protection of the one planet we call our home.