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03 / 02 / 24
The Faith & Belief Forum
London, February 3, 2024
The Faith & Belief Forum and London School of Economics (LSE) Faith Centre are preparing to host the country’s largest youth-based annual interfaith gathering on Thursday 8th February this week.
This year’s conference centres on “Faith and Climate for a Sustainable Future.” Set to take place on February 8, 2024, from 18:00 to 21:00 GMT, the summit will host expert speakers and run four workshops as it aims to bring to life the experience and potential of people of faith to make real change addressing the climate challenge.
Thursday’s summit will take place at the London School of Economics (LSE) and is poised to be the largest youth-based interfaith gathering in the UK – it is free to attend, but spaces are limited. You can sign up today at: youthinterfaithsummit2024.eventbrite.co.uk/
The Faith & Belief Forum: Empowering Youth for 25+ Years
The Faith & Belief Forum is the country’s largest interfaith charity and is leading the way for youth empowerment.
Founded in 1997 by a Christian, Muslim and a Jew as the Three Faiths Forum, the Faith & Belief Forum (F&BF) today works across schools, universities and communities the length and breadth of the United Kingdom. An array of programmes bring communities closer together, develop profound and meaningful human relationships, as F&BF strives to build a future free from hate.
Currently F&BF delivers Encountering Faith & Belief workshops for KS1 upwards; connects and celebrates community groups and charities in London to promote Faith led change in the capital in partnership with the Greater London Lieutenancy that represents the Crown; and empowers tomorrow’s leaders by engaging them with MPs on a UN Award Winning year-long ParliaMentors Leadership and Social Action Programme that is looking to expand into further universities.
In addition, F&BF has recently received £500,000 funding to deliver a pioneering Interfaith Restorative Justice project with partners in Scotland and the West Midlands. F&BF continues to be innovative and create opportunity for young people to connect and make change in their local communities and beyond.
The Youth Interfaith Summit is one of the highlights in a dynamic annual calendar of cross-sector engagement – the partnership with LSE strengthening a growing policy voice.
Key Topics and Workshops
The summit aims to delve into crucial subtopics that underlie the Climate Crisis. Attendees will have the chance to attend one of four workshops on: Climate, Intersectionality, and Faith Identity; Communication and Climate Change; Youth Influence on Climate Policy; and The Impact of Climate in the Developing World.
Expert speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities will allow attendees to explore opportunieis for change and connect with other young visionaries and leaders as they prepare to lead their communities tomorrow. Beyond simply looking at how climate intersects with politics and culture, F&BF and LSE Faith Centre are working to put the power of faith on the map.
The Workshop Speakers: Climate Change on the Ground
The summit will feature four speakers from diverse backgrounds who will share their expertise with the attendees.
Lucy Plummer: Youth Engagement and Sustainable Development
Lucy Plummer, from the Soka Gakkai International Office for UN Affairs, is at the forefront of youth engagement for the UN Sustainable Development Goals. With a master’s in Sustainable Development, Lucy has been actively involved in international climate policy-making. Attendees can also catch Lucy as a Human Library speaker at the beginnign of the vent, providing a unique chance to learn from her personal journey as well as her professional experience.
Dr Hanane Benadi: Exploring Climate Intersectionality and Faith Identity
Anthropologist, Dr Hanane Benadi who works prominently across academia, including at LSE and University of Edinburgh, exploring the relationship between climate and faith. She will lead a workshop at the intersection of ethics, politics, religion, and climate change in the MENA region. Her expertise in the interplay of humanitarianism and Islamic moral reasoning will provide unique insights into the complexities of climate intersectionality and faith identity.
Anandita Sabherwal: Communicating Climate Change
Anandita (Ana) Sabherwal, a PhD student at LSE has been investigating social influences on collective climate action and will lead a workshop on communicating climate change effectively. Her research, rooted in ethical and transparent practices, aims to utilise psychological insights to promote pro-environmental behaviour in diverse cultural settings. Ana’s exploration of different communication methods, including moral and spiritual approaches will shed light on factors that influence human behaviour and decision-making.
Dr. Saad Quasem: Unravelling the Impact of Climate in the Developing World
Dr. Saad Quasem of SOAS, with a background in anthropology, has been tirelessly working on climate change issues in the Bengal Delta since 2009. His extensive experience, both academically and in the field, will shed light on the impact of climate in the developing world, particularly focusing on South Asia, but with implications that stretch much further.
Join the Conversation
The Youth Interfaith Summit 2024 provides a unique opportunity to network with like-minded young activists and engage in meaningful conversations about our shared future. By attending, you will leave inspired to advocate for collective action in your local community.
Don’t miss out on this incredible event! Sign up now for the Youth Interfaith Summit and be part of the movement towards a sustainable and inclusive future.
For more information and registration, visit youthinterfaithsummit2024.eventbrite.co.uk
