Faith Leaders Summit highlights role of women, youth

By Christopher Wells

The two-day Global Faith Leaders Summit concluded today with a morning session focusing on connecting “the heart and the head”. The encounter took the form of a majlis, a traditional forum for discussing, deliberating, and sharing information on issues of common interest.

The discussion was moderated by Dr Iyad Abumaghli, the Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, and focused on reconciling a strong relationship between religious and spiritual beliefs, on the one hand, and science, on the other, in order to build a more secure and sustainable world.
 

Speakers emphasized that, while science can provide empirical data, religious belief can provide motivation for concrete actions to address the climate change crisis.

Later plenary discussions highlighted the need for an integrated approach to climate change, with the recognition of the interconnectedness of multiple issues facing the world today, and the importance of including all stakeholders in facing those issues.

The pivotal role of women of faith in promoting environmental sustainability and gender equality was discussed, as was the importance of encouraging dialogue and collaboration between young faith leaders and established figures.

Finally, Dr Abumaghli returned to the stage to discuss a comprehensive proposal for a mechanism and resolution aimed at ensuring the sustained involvement and lasting impact of faith leaders through the year 2030. The UN Environmental Programme Director led a discussion on how faith leaders can harmonize their influence and moral authority to engage and motivate believers “paving the way for a collective journey towards a common goal.”