Events

Wednesday January 22
10:30 - 12:30 Central European Time
In-person and online
Register

Held in conjunction with the 2025 Basel Peace Forum and the 2025 PACEY Award Ceremony.

Wednesday January 22 at 2pm - 3:30pm Central Europe Time / 8am-9:30am Eastern Time
Online - Registration required.
 
3 prizes of €5000 each. The 9 finalists will present their projects. The audience then votes to determine the winners.

Maison de la Paix Auditorium 
Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2, Geneva, Switzerland
Wednesday November 27, 2024
6pm-7:30pm followed by a reception

The 2024 World Future Policy Award will recognise 4 Winning Policies, 3 Honorable Mentions and 1 Vision Award.

Register for in-person participation.

Watch the livestream
 

Peace and Future Generations Solidarity Walk
8am - 10:30am, Nairobi
Starting point: Rubis Petrol Station, 200 meters from UN Entrance
Register

Basel Forum on Peace, Climate Protection and the UN Summit of the Future: The roles of cities and youth.

Thursday May 30, 2024, Basel, Switzerland. 10:30-16:15
Register

A regional consultation co-hosted by Basel Peace Office and the Basel Stadt Kanton President’s Office.

Morning session: Youth engagement and civil society proposals for the Summit of the Future
K-Haus, Kasernenstrasse 8, 4058 Basel

Afternoon session 2:  Cities, legislators & youth. An intergenerational dialogue on the Summit of the Future
Basel Town Hall (Rathaus des Kantons Basel-Stadt)

 

 

Friday January 26, 2024. 10:00-12:00  CET
Wohnzimmer, 2nd floor K-Haus, Kasernenstrasse 8, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
A hybrid side event of the Basel Peace Forum 2024

Friday January 26 at 4pm - 5:30pm Central Europe Time / 10am-11:30am Eastern Time
Online - Registration required.

3 prizes of €5000 each. The 9 finalists will present their projects. The audience then votes to determine the winners.

 

Applying human rights law to address existential threats to humanity
In-person event. Thursday July 6. 15:00-16:00
Sidley Austin Law Firm, Rue du Pré-de-la-Bichette 1 Geneva 1202

Registration

 

Nuclear Stories Pre-Premier
Zurich and online
Wednesday April 26, 2023
7pm - 8:30pm Central Europe Time.
Click here to register. No cost to join.
The event is held in conjunction with International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day

Human Rights and the Doomsday Clock
Using international human rights law to address existential threats
posed by nuclear weapons and climate change.

A side event to the UN Human Rights Council 42nd Universal Periodic Review

Wednesday January 25. 1:15 – 2:45pm
Sidley Austin Law Firm, Geneva.

Registration required: RSVP to alyn@pnnd.org or Ph/SMS to +41 788 912 156

 

January 20. 11am – 12:30pm
A side event of the Basel Peace Forum 2023

Online by zoom and in-person at K-Haus, Basel, Switzerland

Registration required.

 

Saturday January 21
4:30pm-6pm Central Europe Time / 10:30am-12noon Eastern Time USA
Online. Click here to register.
3 prizes of €5000 each. The 9 finalists will present their projects. The audience then votes to determine the winners.

Youth initiatives for a sustainable future

Join the 2022 PACEY Award Winners and Youth Fusion, winners of the Gorbachev/Schultz Legacy Youth Award
K-Haus, Kasernenstrasse 8, 4058 Basel
6pm-8pm. Tuesday November 8.
Followed by an apero

[Simultaneous interpretation in English and German]

Register at https://forms.gle/1sH37wqpQbN4vZBb9

 

Using international human rights law to address existential threats.
A side event to the UN Human Rights Council 50th Regular Session.

Friday July 1. 13:15 - 14:45. (In-person event)

Montreux Room, Varembé Conference Center (CCV). 9-11 Rue de Varembé, Geneva

Register for the event

 

The 3rd in a series of webinars on the youth-led campaign to take the issue of climate change to the International Court of Justice (World Court).

Friday March 4, 2022

Session 1: Timed for Asia/Pacific. 8am - 9:30am Central Europe Time. Event in English. Click here to register.

Session 2: Timed for the Americas/Europe/Africa/Middle East. Simulataneous translation in English/French/Spanish. Click here to register.

Friday Jan 21, 2022. 8:30am – 10am CET

Description: Peace, nuclear Abolition and Climate Engage Youth (PACEY) Award event

Two prizes of €5000 Euro each will be awarded to exemplary youth projects or initiatives to advance peace, climate protection and/or disarmament, especially nuclear disarmament.

Registration

Thursday Jan 20, 2022 8:00 pm – 9:30pm CET

Description: From youth vision and enthusiasm to policy change. An intergenerational forum between policymakers (legislators) and youth activists on the Climate / Nuclear Disarmament nexus. The event is held in conjunction with the Basel Peace Forum 2022.

Registration

A public in-person event featuring the two winning projects of the 2021 Basel PACEY (Youth) Awards.

Wednesday November 24, 18:30 – 20:00
Basel University ‘Old’ Campus
Rheinsprung 9, 4051 Basel

Register

Methods and examples of nonviolent actions to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. An online event to commemorate the International Day of Nonviolence and the 152nd anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi.

Saturday October 2. 10am-12 noon Eastern Time USA / 4-6pm Central Europe Time / 7:30-9:30pm Delhi.

Simultaneous translation in English/French

Register for the event at https://bit.ly/nonviolence21century

Toward an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the legal responsibility to ensure a stable climate for future generations

Webinar 2: What question to ask the Court? What sources of law to use?

Tuesday August 24, 2021
8am-10am Pacific Time USA / 11am-1pm Eastern Time USA / 4pm-6pm London / 5pm-7pm Central Europe

Simultaneous translation English/French. Click here to register.

An Inter-generational Forum followed by the PACEY Plus Youth Award

January 19, 2021. 15:00 – 19:15 Central Europe Time

A forum of youth, experts and policy makers discussing actions and effective policies for peace, disarmament, the climate and public health especially in times of pandemic. The event will be held in three sessions of 1¼  hours each with a short break between each session. 

Click here to register.

Session 1: Timed for Asia and the Pacific.
Thursday December 10. 8am Central Europe Time (10 am Moscow, 1pm Dhaka, 4pm Tokyo/Seoul, 7pm Suva)
Program and other information will be posted on the Session 1 event facebook page. Click here to register.

Session 2: Timed for the Americas, Europe and Africa.
Friday December 11. 11:30 Eastern time USA/Canada. (5:30pm CET)
Program and other information will be posted on the Session 2 event facebook page. Click here to register.

Webinar: Monday November 2, 2020
10am – 11:30am Eastern Time USA. 4pm-5:30pm Central Europe Time
Click here to register. Click here for the event flyer.

TheoSounds Concert to commemorate the International Day for Peace.
Sunday September 20 in Theodorskirche (Theodorskirchpl. 5, 4058 Basel) at 16:00

The concert is Schubert Notturno Op. 148 and Beethoven Piano Trio Op. 1 No. 1.

Performed by the PlayforRights Chamber Trio: Fraynni Rui (violin), Joonas Pitkänen (Violoncello) and Aleck Carratta (piano).
Free entry. We invite you to attend.

September 21- October 2, 2020.

A series of UN and UN-related events and actions running from Sep 21 (International Day for Peace) until October 2 (International Day for Nonviolence)

International webinar. Thursday  July 30, 2020.
9:00 am
- 10:30 am EDT  (15:00-16:30 CET)

Part of the Abolition 2000 webinar series on issues and actions for nuclear abolition
Click here to register. Click here for the event flyer.

Dates:
Thursday, May 14, 2020. Time: 11am EDT, 5pm CET
Tuesday May 19, 2020. Time: 9am CET

Contact: Youth actions webinar

 

International webinar, Tuesday April  21, 2020. Held in conjunction with Earth Day 2020 and the Global Days of Action on Military Spending.

The webinar will address: Cutting nuclear weapons budgets. Ending investments in nuclear weapons & fossil fuels. Reallocating these to public health, climate protection and sustainable development.

January 9, 2020. 1pm – 5:30pm. Basel, Switzerland.

A roundtable meeting of parliamentarians & city leaders with youth campaigners from the European climate, peace and nuclear disarmament movements.

Organised in conjunction with the Basel Peace Forum 2020: Cities in Time of Conflict & Peace, January 9-10, 2020.

Conference languages: English and German. Click here for the conference flyer.

Contact: info@baselpeaceoffice.org

Divestment and other actions by cities, universities and parliaments to reverse the nuclear arms race and protect the climate

Basel, Switzerland. April 12-13, 2019

A European and trans-Atlantic conference organised by Basel Peace Office.
Co-sponsored by IPPNW Switzerland and the Basel-Stadt Kanton, in cooperation with Mayors for Peace (Europe) and Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament.

Political and financial policies to protect future generations from climate change and nuclear weapons.

Monday January 14, 2019. 6pm-7:45pm
Hörsaal (Room) 215, Seminar fur Soziologie,
Basel University, Petersgraben 27, Basel, Switzerland

Click here for the program (pdf).
Contact info@baselpeaceoffice.org

 Thursday December 7.
Basel University, Hörsaal 001
18:00 - 20:00

Premier screening of the award-winning movie 'Where the Wind Blew' about the impact of nuclear tests in Nevada and Kazakhstan. Screenign is followed by discussion with representatives of Kazakhstan.

Basel University, September 14 - September 17

An international conference on the human impact of nuclear weapons and power, legal cases on behalf of victims, and protection of future generations.

Monday Jan 16. 16:30-18:30. Sydney Room, Floor 2, Messe Center, Messeplatz 21, Basel.

Europe could be caught in nuclear cross-fire between Russia and the United States. Join us for a discussion with Swiss and international speakers on new threats from nuclear weapons and what can be done about it.

Kazakh Room (Cinema XIV), Palais des Nations, Geneva.
September 27, 2016. 15:00 - 17:00.

Special event featuring
* Ela Gandhi (grand-daughter of Mahatma Gandhi and Co-President of Religions for Peace);
* Chain Reaction 2016 video, a series of nuclear disarmament actions and events around the world;

* Presentation of the Astana Vision declaration to the United Nations.

Please register at info@unfoldzero.org by September 22

Issues and proposals for taking forward nuclear disarmament
Framwork Forum roundtable for invited governments
April 18, 2016
Hosted by the Permanent Mission of Canada to the UN, Geneva
Co-sponsored by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

From the NPT to the UN General Assembly: Filling the legal gap to prohibit and eliminate nuclear weapons

Geneva, 1 September 2015, 13:15-18:00

Restaurant Layalina 121 rue de Lausanne, and Auditorium Jacques Freymond, rue de Lausanne 132       

Sponsored by Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament, Middle Powers Initiative, Basel Peace Office and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Geneva
Supported by the Right Livelihood Award Foundation and World Future Council

Screenings in various locations in Switzerland during the week September 21-26

Directed by Peter Anthony
Featuring: Stanislav Petrov, Kevin Costner, Sergey Shnrynov, Matt Damon, Natalia Vdovina & Robert de Niro

On the night of September 26, 1983, Stanislav Petrov disobeyed military protocol and probably prevented a nuclear holocaust. He says that he is not a hero. 'I was just in the right place at the right time.' You decide!

 

Wave goodbye to nukes! 24 hours of actions in capitals and other cities around the world April 26-27, 2015

Framework Forum roundtable
Monday September 8, 2014, 13:00 – 18:00
Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
Auditoire Jaques Freymond, rue de Lausanne 132 , Geneva

By invitation only
Contact info@baselpeaceoffice.org

Kazakh Room (Cinema Room XIV),
Palais des Nations, United Nations, Geneva
September 25, 16:00 - 17:30
followed by refreshments

Organised by UNFOLD ZERO and the Basel Peace Office
Hosted by the United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs

A UN pass is required to attend. Contact info@unfoldzero.org

18 August to 15 October 2014
Oberer Rheinweg, Basel, Between Mittlere Brücke (Middle Bridge) and Wettstein Bridge

Late October until early December 2014
Theatrestrasse, Basel. From Elizabethenkirche to Barfusserplatz

www.makingpeace.org

Sunday August 17, 6pm – 9pm
Im Fluss stage on the Rhine
Oberer Rheinweg, Basel

Free

PLAYforRIGHTS presents a Youth Music Performance to commemorate World Humanitarian Day

A range of live music featuring ERROR 404 brass band ensemble from Musik Akademie Basel

July 4 - 5
Basel, Switzerland

Hosted by Guy Morin, President of the Basel-Stadt Canton
Organised by the Basel Peace Office

Mayors, parliamentarians and civil society!
Join us in Basel to share initiatives, network with others and advance the cooperative security framework for peace, prosperity and nuclear disarmament.

Chernobyl exhibition and the Rhine
Kleinbasel, Basel
Sunday April 13, afternoon

With Basel Peace Office and Environmental Award laureates participating in the 3rd International Convention of Environmental Laureates.

13:00: Photo exhibition of Chernobyl nuclear disaster
by Alexander Hofmann
Basel Art Center, Riehentorstrasse 33, Basel
Discounted group rate 15 CHF (normal entry is 22 CHF)

13:50 Lunch
Merian Spitz Cafe, Rheingasse 2

15:30. Rhine Promenade, water-powered ferry, Munster

RSVP to alyn@pnnd.org or +41 788 912 156

International Day of Sport for Peace and Development
Sunday April 6, 2014

Carton Blanc photo event and short peace run/cycle in Basel
Followed by an informal talk on peace and sport – peace bike rides

3pm: Run/cycle along the Rhine from Oberer Rheinweg (under Wettstein Bridge) to the Three Countries Corner
4pm: Carton Blanc photo event at Three Countries Corner, Dreiländereck
5pm: Light meal and talk at Restaurant Schiff

Contact info@baselpeaceoffice.org

Act now to encourage your country to engage in the OEWG. Organize a public event with motive of “opening the door to a nuclear weapons free world”!

Tuesday 21 May, 2013
13:15 – 14:45
Room XI, Building A, UN Geneva

Side-event of Open Ended Working
Group on Nuclear Disarmament

Launch of the 2nd edition of the Nuclear Abolition Forum
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
12:30 – 14:00
Geneva Centre for Security Policy
WMO/OMM Building Avenue de la Paix 7bis, Geneva

Featuring:
Ambassador Urs Schmid (Switzerland)
Ambassador Nobuyasu Abe (Japan)
Jean-Marie Collin (PNND, France)
Marc Finaud (Program Adviser, GCSP)
Alyn Ware (Founder, Nuclear Abolition Forum, New Zealand)
Teresa Bergman (Researcher, Basel Peace Office)

6pm, Friday May 24
University of Basel, Lecture Hall 001
Petersgraben, Basel

Featuring:
Wilson Kipketer, runner. Current world record holder for the 800 and 1000 meters (indoors).
Spokesperson for L’organisation pour la Paix par le Sport (Peace and Sport)
Paol Hansen, Special Adviser UN Office on Sport for Development and Peace
Carola Szemerey, Youth Future Project
Henk Van Nieuwenhove, Flanders Peace Field project  (the 1914 Soccer Truce)

 

Protecting Our Common Climate System InterFaith appeal presented to COP 29

“Humanity must reach beyond nationalism to build fit-for-purpose global governance for managing the Earth’s atmosphere - our common climate system,” according to over 400 religious, faith and values-based individuals and organizations who have endorsed an interfaith appeal Protecting Our Common Climate System: Earth Governance for a Sustainable Future, presented today to the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP 29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.

With global temperature rise already causing wide-spread and devastating disasters, and with the tipping points for a global climate catastrophe imminent, it is evident that relying on national commitments in a competitive economic and political environment is not working,” says John Vlasto (Humanist, UK), co-founder of Mobilizing an Earth Governance Alliance (MEGA), who presented the appeal to COP 29 at the Faith Pavilion today.

“God gave us one planet to live on and last time we checked, emissions, pollution and temperature increases do not stop at national boundaries,” says Rev Fletcher Harper (Christian, USA), Executive Director of GreenFaith, who joined in the appeal presentation to COP 29. “If we want a future in which millions are not cooked to death, a binding global governance system is imperative.”

The appeal highlights principles and values shared across the world’s major religions, faiths and philosophies that are relevant to governing the environment for a sustainable future. These include the principles of protection of creation (the Earth’s global ecosystem), reciprocity/equity, justice/fairness, social responsibility and Guardianship/Earth Trusteeship. The appeal then draws from those principles to support a number of governance proposals including for;

These environmental governance mechanisms have been well researched and developed,” says Alyn Ware, Director of the Basel Peace Office and co-convenor of the Transnational Working Group on values, faith-based perspectives and global governance which organised the appeal. "Their adoption would ensure fair and effective implementation and enforcement of climate obligations."

"Mahatma Gandhi once said that we should learn to live in a way that we are a part of nature and not apart from nature,” says Ela Gandhi (Hindu, South Africa), granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi and Chairperson of the Gandhi Development Trust and Phoenix Settlement Trust. “We must remain alert to the many ways in which we as Humans are responsible for the deterioration of our environment, the obliteration of other species on earth, and the degradation of our earth and its atmosphere,” says Ms Gandhi who also serves as Co-president of Religions for Peace.

"It is time for people of diverse backgrounds and communities around the world to work together to fashion sensible governance to protect the life support systems on our magnificent common home, planet Earth," says Maja Groff, (Baha'i, Netherlands), Convenor of the Climate Governance Commission which has researched and helped develop many of the environmental proposals recommended in the interfaith appeal.

“The statement Protecting Our Common Climate System: Earth Governance for a Sustainable Future tells us with clarity and compelling urgency what we must do now to engage the climate emergency,” says Nitin Ajmera (Jain/Interfaith, USA), Chair, Board of Trustees, Parliament of the World’s Religions. “As an international interfaith organization, we especially affirm values shared by the world's traditions: protection of creation, reciprocity, justice, responsibility and guardianship of the Earth. Recognizing the right to a healthy environment and the rights of Nature – and enshrining with our actions our responsibility to future generations – are fundamental to creating the future we owe our children.”

"To address the climate crisis increased by a group of industrialized countries with impacts on the most impoverished sectors of the Global South, affected in their livelihoods and culture, we advocate for the full implementation of intergovernmental instruments, accompanied by National Action Plans,” says Martha Inés Romero (Catholic, Colombia), Pax Christi International Secretary General. “But these Plans are often more rhetorical than the result of transformative political will and must be contrasted with increasingly serious realities for ecosystems and the communities that inhabit them.”

“We, as custodians of our shared planet, carry the profound responsibility to protect and restore our climate, which transcends borders and beliefs,” says Erick W. Githaiga (Christian, Kenya), Ambassador of Partnerships for Future Generations in Africa. “By uniting diverse faiths and values, this appeal is a powerful call for Earth-centered governance, reflecting our collective commitment to a sustainable, just, and resilient future for all generations."

Contacts:

In Baku (COP 29): John Vlasto. +44 7977 201 753. boardchair@wfm-igp.org
Media desk: Alyn Ware. +420 773 638 867. ware@wfm-igp.org

************************************************************************

Additional (full) quotes from endorsers

"Protecting the climate system is a collective responsibility, and the sustainability of the Earth is an urgent necessity that requires everyone to work together to achieve climate justice and ensure human rights for future generations."
Khaled Ayesh (Muslim, Yemen) Executive Manager, National Forum for Human Rights

“May we truly think in terms of seven generations ahead in governing our planet!”
Dr. Elena Mustakova (Baha'i, Bulgaria). Founder, Unitive Earth Governance Collaborative

"The interdependence of nature does not allow the limits of its existence to be overstepped, as this implies self-destruction. This means cooperating and prioritising fair resource management that respects human, natural and generational rights".
Montse Serrano (Catholic, Spain), Director of Technical Secretariat, Comisión General Justicia y Paz.

“It is a spiritual duty to protect our planet, especially the ecosystems.”
Bamalum Buji Mustapha (Muslim, Nigeria), Chief Executive Officer, Hyrax Investment Company Limited

“The collective efforts of our species are required, if humans are to be successful in meeting the challenge of climate change. Few institutions are more capable of helping to impart the urgency of challenge we face, to convey the sacredness of the task we must assume, or provide the organized reach to aid in the political and moral pursuit of repair that members of the faith community.”
Prof. Winston E. Langley (Christian & Buddhist, USA), Professor Emeritus/political Science-international Relatikbs, University of Massachusetts Boston

"Islam teaches us to care for the planet and Allah has designated us, human beings, as ‘stewards of the earth’. Yet, we are witnessing today an increasingly violent and degrading world, where ethics, dignity and reverence for others are being trampled upon. If the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) were here today, He would probably shudder to see the mayhem, hubris and the multidimensional ecological crisis that we are experiencing right now. While it is almost a truism to say that the end of days is drawing near, humanity is in dire need to come to its senses and collaborate to reverse the current extreme state of unsustainability."
Dicky Sofjan, Ph.D. (Muslim, Indonesia), Vice President of Globethics, Geneva, and Core Doctoral Faculty of the Indonesian Consortium for Religious Studies (ICRS), Yogyakarta.

“Humankind should pay more attention to the environment than ever as it becomes "a common space" impacting the lives and future of all peoples on the earth as strongly demonstrated through floods, drought...The consequences of these natural phenomenon are awesome.”
Prof Driss Larafi (Muslim, Morocco). University Ibn Tofail

I pray that this appeal will have an impact on the powers that be.
Al McNair (Christian, Canada), Board Director, Ploughshares Calgary

Thank you for bringing this message COP 29.  I pray that the global powers that be treat this as the existential threat to humanity and all life on the earth that it is.
Colleen Ring (Catholic, Canada). Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation for World Peace                  "

“Our interconnected, cooperative and biodiverse planet recognises no borders. The climate recognises no borders. How we impact the climate, and all the life upon and within it, has likewise to accept no borders. The Druid Network therefore fully supports a global evidence driven governance with the principle purpose of mitigating and reducing our impact upon the planet’s ecosystems.”
Jon Grundy (Druid, UK). Trustee, The Druid Network.

"The Earth is what we all have in common," and I say we must agree. Let's take care of it.
Jana Larsen (Unitarian Universalist, USA), Human Resources Deputy Director, WE, The World

“A global citizenship response for the common good is now urgent.”
Frances Palmer (Christian, New Zealand)              

"As the Disability Peoples Forum Uganda, we believe in the power of inclusivity and accessibility. Our commitment is to ensure that every person, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to a sustainable and equitable future. Together, we can create a world where everyone’s potential is recognized and valued."
Kayanga Peter (Christian, Uganda), Director Disability Peoples Forum Uganda

“We need to do all we can to protect the earth from aggressive climate devastation through governance and sustainable future.”
Josephine C. Ojiaka (Christian, Nigeria), Senior Lecturer, Imo state University, Owerri, Nigeria             

"As Earth's stewards, we must harmonize humanity's footprint with nature's rhythm, ensuring a symphony of sustainability, equity, and resilience for a climate-resilient future."
Prof. Aranyam Kashyap (Hindu, India), Poet, social and environmental activist, Assam State   

A healthy biosphere is the basis for all that we do. It needs to be given the top priority as everything else depends on it. Thank you to everyone involved with COP 29 and your efforts to protect our shared climate system. The environment is a central focus of the Paul Bartlett Ré Peace Prize. Thank you and nature will thank you.  
Paul Bartlett Ré (Value of healing/understanding, USA), Founder, The Paul Bartlett Ré Peace Prize

“In Pax Christi we recognise the links between climate change and war and see this appeal to Protect our Common Climate System as work for peace.”
Kathryn Lydon (Catholic, UK), Chair Pax Christi England & Wales

“We believe that the time is now to prevent our ecosystem from being disintegrated due to lack of political will and no release of finance to combat climate change. All hands must be on the deck.”
Cecilia Ndu-Okoli (Christianity, Nigeria), Program Officer, Global Missions International

“Short-term commercial and economic considerations cannot be allowed to outweigh the future sustainability of the planet.”
Andrew Patrick Lett (Christian, UK)

“Humanity must reach beyond nationalism to build fit-for-purpose global governance for managing the Earth’s atmosphere - our common climate system.”
Jim McKinney (Humanitarian values base, USA), Retired, American Federation of Teachers

“Speak the truth. Speak it loud and often, calmly but insistently, and speak it, as the Quakers say, to power. Material accumulation is not the purpose of human existence. All growth is not good. The environment is a necessity, not a luxury. There is such a thing as enough.”
Art Koch (Quaker, USA), Clerk of the Peace and Social Concerns San Francisco Friends Meeting

“The statement "Protecting Our Common Climate System: Earth Governance for a Sustainable Future" tells us with clarity and compelling urgency what we must do now to engage the climate emergency. The Parliament of the World's Religions strongly endorses this statement. As an international interfaith organization, we especially affirm the mention of values shared by the world's traditions: protection of creation, reciprocity, justice, responsibility and guardianship of the Earth. Our signature document, the Global Ethic, also upholds these common values that inspire and guide our actions. Recognizing the right to a healthy environment and the rights of Nature – and enshrining with our actions our responsibility to future generations – are fundamental to creating the future we owe our children.”
Nitin Ajmera (Jain/Interfaith, USA), Chair, Board of Trustees, Parliament of the Worlds Religions

"Mahatma Gandhi once said that we should learn to live in a way that we are a part of nature and not apart from nature.  Our responsibility as thinking beings is to protect other species in the world and our environment.   We must remain alert to the many ways in which we as Humans are responsible for the deterioration of our environment, the obliteration of other species on earth, and the degradation of our earth and its atmosphere. We must curb those practices that contribute to this disastrous trajectory on which human beings find themselves."
Ela Gandhi. Granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi. Chairperson of the Gandhi Development Trust and Phoenix Settlement Trust, Co-president of Religions for Peace.

"To address the climate crisis increased by a group of industrialized countries with impacts on the most impoverished sectors of the Global South, affected in their livelihoods and culture, we advocate for  the full implementation of intergovernmental instruments, accompanied by National Action Plans; but these Plans are often more rhetorical than the result of transformative political will, and must be contrasted with increasingly serious realities for ecosystems and the communities that inhabit them. It will not help us to describe the symptoms, if we do not recognize the human root of the ecological crisis, and if we do not press for an urgent reform of the economic system, which maintains a structural dependence on fossil fuels and poses a transition with perverse effects on communities and their territories. COP 29 must push for pacts based on Equity, Inclusion and Sustainability, from an Ecological Justice approach!"  
Martha Inés Romero, Pax Christi International Secretary General

“Para hacer frente a la crisis climática creada por un grupo de países industrializados con impactos en los sectores más empobrecidos del Sur Global, afectados en sus medios de vida y su cultura, insistimos en la aplicación plena de los instrumentos intergubernamentales, acompañados de Planes nacionales de acción; pero éstos suelen ser más retóricos que el resultado de una voluntad política transformadora, y deben contrastarse con realidades cada vez más graves para los ecosistemas y para las comunidades que los habitan.  No nos servirá describir los síntomas, si no reconocemos la raíz humana de la crisis ecológica y si no presionamos por una urgente reforma del sistema económico, que mantiene una dependencia estructural en combustibles fósiles y que plantea una transición con efectos perversos hacia las comunidades y sus territorios. La COP 29 debe presionar por pactos basados en la Equidad, la Inclusión y la Sostenibilidad, desde un enfoque de Justicia Ecológica.”
Martha Inés Romero, Secretaria General de Pax Christi Internacional

 

 

Share