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16 / 02 / 24
Raahim Z.
Faith and Climate for a Sustainable Future: From Stories to Action
See all photos: Youth Interfaith Summit 2024 – Flickr Album
On the evening of February 8th, 2024, the Faith & Belief Forum and the LSE Faith Centre organised the annual Youth Interfaith Summit. This year’s theme: “Faith and Climate for a Sustainable Future.”
The night began with a first of its kind – an Interfaith Human Library. This was networking with a twist. All attendees had the chance to hear from one of six speakers who shared their unique stories about faith, social action and climate change.
The Faith & Belief Forum and LSE Faith Centre are both built on the principle that faith has immense power to move people – and change the world. The Interfaith Human Library was a chance to put that faith on centre stage.
The Human Library session gave attendees a chance to network in a unique setting. Six “human books” shared their stories of how faith inspires their work and the direction of their life. They then led conversations on the power of faith, the critical importance of climate, and how to connect for a sustainable future. It was an opportunity to thrust faith into the limelight as an unbeatable force for good when many dismiss it as the root of evil. Each speaker delved into the pivotal role of their faith in shaping perspectives on social responsibility and environmental stewardship.
Davina Kaur, a Sikh graduate from F&BF’s ParliaMentors programme, delved into the wisdom of Sikhi concerning the environment, intertwining her climate endeavours with her deeply rooted faith.
Lucy Plummer, a driving force behind Youth Engagement for the Soka Gakkai International Office for UN Affairs, shared her journey of collaborating with the UN to bring positive change for both people and the planet.
Reverend Vanessa Elston, a pioneer priest in the Church of England, took the audience through her transformative encounter with Extinction Rebellion in 2019. Her story unfolded, revealing how public acts of prayer, liturgy, and protest have become integral to her ministry.
Shakeel Mohamed, a Muslim political advisor, provided insights into the intricacies of his life’s journey—its hurdles, successes, and the aspirations that fuel his ongoing pursuit.
Aman Grover, rooted in the heart of Punjab, shared personal experiences with local farmers and communities dependent on the land for their livelihoods.
Tal Reed, working at Sadeh Farm, a Jewish environmental community, recounted her journey and the farm’s trajectory, deeply rooted in Jewish values.
Each story painted a piece of the mosaic of faith, activism, and a profound connection to the Earth.
These storytellers began the evening with narratives that went beyond the ordinary, demonstrating the immense potential of faith as a catalyst for positive change. As the summit continued, we had performances from distinct traditions before young change-makers dove into the masterclasses on how to make effective change.
The Youth Interfaith Summit was enriched by the diverse expertise of our four workshop leaders: Dr. Saad Quasem, Anandita Sabherwal, Dr. Hanane Benadi, and Lucy Plummer.
Dr. Saad Quasem delved into the impact of climate change on the Bengal Delta, offering valuable insights from his extensive work on the history of the land from colonial times until today and how different ethnic and religious group have adapted to the land. His workshop offered a powerful insight into the nature of politics and land usage.
Anandita Sabherwal, a graduate from Cambridge currently pursuing a PhDpsychology and behavioural science, explored the psychological barriers to climate action, delving into the question of what makes people tick and how to communicate to inspire change.
Dr. Hanane Benadi, an anthropologist, navigated the intersection of ethics, politics, religion, and climate change drawing on her experiences working in Egypt and delving into the power of faith to mobilise and hamper progress.
Lucy Plummer, with her background in the UN and youth engagement, shared experiences working with the International Organisations and advocating for sustainable development goals. The conversation developed into dissecting the intricacies of working with an intrinsically limited UN structure.
Each speaker contributed a unique perspective to the summit, addressing various facets of climate-related issues to empower young minds. Through sharing their practice and research, they equipped the summit attendees with unparalleled insights into the practical world of climate action.
After a large group debrief where key learnings from were shared, we had two performers, Antarma and Ricardo Axé to take our souls to some of the lands we had discussed. Land and music are an inextricable part of the environment.
Antarma captivated the audience with a mesmerising blend of Sanskrit mantra, delicate guitar melodies, and empowering affirmations, creating a unique experience of peace and unity – the crowd was joining in! Ricardo Axé, hailing from Brazil, brought over 25 years of dedication to Afro-Brazilian culture, infusing the summit with rhythmic drumming and vibrant singing as he closed off the evening, and sent the young change-makers off on the beginnings of their journeys.
Following the F&BF Research & Policy group’s Climate Migration briefing in parliament in summer, this event is further testament to the importance young people place on the environment. As we move forward, F&BF and LSE Faith Centre will continue to centre young people at the crossroads of the the dialogues that are happening around us – and the dialogues that will affect those young people more than anyone else.
