Parliament of Worlds Religion 2009 Melbourne Australia

Author(s): Parliament of the World’s Religions
Publisher: USA Parliament of the Worlds Religions

Page 110

Symposia
Religion and Ecology
tions of climate change, to explore the emerging models seeking to address it and to mobilize religious and spiritual communities in calling for clear-headed and courageous responses to this threat to the human community. See back of book for full descriptions. Schedule: Adapting to Climate Change: How, and How Far? 4 Dec 9:30-11:00am
Room 103 Climate Change as a Concern for Justice 5 Dec 9:30-11:00am Plenary Hall The Science and Spirituality of Climate Change 6 Dec 4:30-6:00pm
Room 202 Is Climate Change the New Slavery? 7 Dec 2:30-4:00pm
Room 202
Poverty and Development
This symposium is presented in partnership with the Forum on Religion and Ecology at Yale University, which is dedicated to bringing religion's symbolic insights to bear on supporting a vibrant earth community. Our planet is on the brink of an ecological crisis that can not be remedied by one group, one religion or one country alone. The participation of all people of goodwill is necessary if our efforts to save our planet are to be successful. The 2009 Parliament's Religion and Ecology Symposium is more than just a call to action; it focuses on both practical action and spiritual motivation to mobilize and sustain environmental efforts. Come learn how you and your religious community can make a difference. See back of book for full descriptions. Schedule: How Can Interreligious Dialogue Address Global Food, Water and Climate Problems? 4 Dec 11:30am-1:00pm Room 106 Thomas Berry and the Great Work of Our Time 5 Dec 9:30-11:00am Room 212 Selections from the New Film Journey of the Universe 5 Dec 11:30am-1:00pm Room 213 East Asian Perspectives on Ecology 7 Dec 11:30am-1:00pm Room 219 Earth Charter as a Global Ethics for a Sustainable Future 7 Dec 11:30am-1:00pm Room 210 Green Buildings. Green Cities - An Ethical Path Forward 7 Dec 2:30-4:00pm
Room 209 Expressing Our Links with the Environment 8 Dec 2:304:00pm
Room 212 Renewal: Religious Grassroots Environmentalism (Premier Film Series Selection) 9 Dec 11:30am-1:00pm Room 110
This symposium is presented with the generous support of Mr. Haruhisa Handa, the Asian Faiths Development Dialogue, the International Shinto Foundation and the World Faiths Development Dialogue. The Poverty and Development Symposium will explore how religious and spiritual communities are meeting the many dimensions of contemporary poverty. The Year 2000 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) offer a framework for global action, setting priority goals and targets, but the experience and reflections of diverse communities are not fully part of the MDG process. A central Parliament objective is to jolt this situation with new insights and ideas. This symposium's 20 sessions cover a challenging agenda, exploring the historic shifts from charity and compassion to respect, rights and equity as drivers of social justice, as well as practical approaches to fostering education, health and opportunities for the impoverished. Come learn from experts in the field about how your community can collaborate not only with other religious and spiritual groups, but also with guiding institutions committed to eradicating poverty through international development. See back of book for full descriptions. Schedule: Poverty Must No Longer Be With Us 4 Dec 9:30-11:00am Plenary Hall Interreligious Partnerships for Ending Hunger 4 Dec 11:30am-1:00pm Room 101 The Crisis and the Opportunity: Wisdom from Faith Traditions and Communities 4 Dec 11:30am-1:00pm Room 110 How Can Interreligious Dialogue Address Global Food, Water and Climate Problems? 4 Dec 11:30am-1:00pm Room 106 Breaking Through Patriarchy: New Visions for Women of Faith 4 Dec 2:30-4:00pm
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Connection to Copenhagen
The tourist island of Maldives is but one example of the consequences of global climate change. For the 300,000 inhabitants who live there, ecological disaster is just around the corner. If the world's sea level rises by just one meter within the next century, which is the scientific forecast, their homeland will lie under the sea. While the developed world debates the validity of such forecasts. and wrestles with the social and economic implications, for nearly 300 million people around the world, the impact of global warming is already a reality in the form of erosion, drought, violent and unpredictable weather patterns. accompanied by escalating poverty, disease, misery and hardship. For all of these reasons, the eyes of the world will be on Copenhagen from 7th to 20th December, where an international gathering to discuss limiting green house gases will take place. Considering this overlap with the 2009 Parliament, participants in Melbourne will be invited to consider the latest analysis of the ecological ramifica
106 PWR - Parliament of the World's Religions