United Nations Environment Programme
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Conference
Our Sacred Commitment – Skálholt III 2021
12 - 13 October 2021
Skalholt, Iceland
- Overview
- Documents
- Agenda & Speakers
A Strategic Approach Towards Realising the Faith for Earth Coalition
The Faith for Earth Initiative of UNEP has been gaining momentum for some years. At the Faith for Nature: Multi-Faith Action convened in Iceland from 5-8 October 2020, which used the historic Skálholt Cathedral in the South of Iceland as its global anchor, more than 450 participants committed themselves to support a global process to be led by UNEP for the establishment of a global Faith for Earth Coalition that delivers on the goals set forth in UNEP’s strategy for engaging with faith-based organizations.
The Faith for Nature achieved a global reach through online dialogues in five regions (Asia and Australia, Africa, Europe, North America, and Latin America and the Caribbean). High-level faith leaders, faith communities, academics, UN representatives, civil society organizations as well as government officials from Iceland, recognizing the triple threat of climate change, biodiversity loss & ecosystem degradation, and pollution – engaged in a global dialogue to discuss the creation of the Faith for Earth Coalition, Our Sacred Commitment, and strengthening faith-based action:
“The time has come for people of faith to work together for the planet given into our care. The proposed Faith for Earth Coalition has a vision – in partnership with UNEP – to enable faith groups to promote action and influence policy choices at the local, national, regional, and international levels. We encourage governments to come to an agreement at the fifth United Nations Environment Assembly in 2021 to turn that vision into reality. We stand ready to join hands with UNEP to turn this ground-breaking vision into a model for others to emulate”.
Faith for Earth has been working on a Supporting Report focusing on the role of faith and environmental ethics in environmental governance and strengthening nature solutions. This Report will be an essential element for a draft resolution to be submitted by the Government of Iceland, as announced at UNEA 5.1 by the Minister of Resources and Environment in Iceland, in collaboration with other counties. Many steps must be taken in the coming weeks and a long string of consultations is planned to drum up visible support for a resolution.
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OUR SACRED COMMITMENT STRATEGIC MEETING - SKÁLHOLT III: ONLINE STRATEGIC CONSULTATIONS 12 – 13 OCTOBER 2021
AGENDA: ROAD MAP TO A RESOLUTION ON THE FAITH FOR EARTH COALITION AT UNEA 5.2
Day 1: 12 OCTOBER 2021 | Time zone: GMT +0
*In-person: Icelandic Team only
12:00 – 13:00: Arrival and lunch at Skálholt
13:00 - 14:00: Orientation and preparations by the Icelandic Team
Online Consultation for all participants (Meeting Link)
*Kindly connect 10-15 minutes earlier to the Conference to ensure proper connections. We intend to start on time as the Minister of Environment of Iceland will be giving the opening remarks.
14:00 – 17:00: The structuring of a Road Map towards UNEA 5.2
Welcome and handover to moderator: Dr. Iyad Abumoghli, Director Faith for Earth
Welcoming introduction by moderator: Dr. Halldór Thorgeirsson, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Iceland, Chairman of the Climate Council of Iceland
Opening Speakers
His Excellency, Minister of Environment and Resources, Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, Ministry of Environment, Iceland
Ms. Marianne Bruusgaard, Senior Adviser Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative, NICFI. Ministry of Environment, Norway
Prof. Azza Karam, Secretary General, Religions for Peace
Ms. Cassandra Carmichael, Secretary General, National Religious Partnership for the Environment, USA
Ms. Karenna Gore, Secretary General, Center for Earth Ethics
Finnur Ricart Andrason, Climate Representative Icelandic Environmental Activists, Youth4Climate: Driving Action
Report: Role of Ethics in Environmental Governance
Presentation on the draft “Role of Ethics in Environmental Governance” Report: Mr. Euan McCartney – UNEP Associate Programme Management Officer
Reflections solicited by the moderator from the participants and TOR of a draft of a resolution with input from participants: Dr. Halldór Thorgeirsson, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Iceland, Chairman of the Climate Council of Iceland
Adoption of an editorial committee of the resolution
Prayers: Bishop of Skálholt, Kristján Björnsson, ELCI
17:00-18:00 : Drafting of the recommendations (Limited to the Drafting Committee)
Day 2: 13 OCTOBER 2021 | Time zone: GMT +0
*In-person: Icelandic Team only
10:00 – 12:00: Future work in Iceland by the Icelandic Team
Online Consultation for all participants (Meeting Link)
*Kindly connect 10-15 minutes earlier to the Conference to ensure proper connections.
14:00 – 15:00: The Nordic approach and how to strengthen it
Welcome and handover to a moderator
Introduction by a moderator: Deacon Magnea Sverrisdóttir, Ecumenical Officer of ELCI – International Affairs
Participants in a panel
Dr. Vilhjálmur Wiium, Permanent Representative to the UN Environmental Program, UNEP; Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Rev. Einar Tjelle, Deputy International Director, Church of Norway
Rev. Peter Fischer-Möller, Bishop of Roskilde, Church of Denmark
Dr. Árni Bragason, Director Soil Conservation Service of Iceland.
Mr. Tryggvi Felixson, Resource Economist, Chairman of Landvernd
15:00 – 17:00 : Discussion and Adoption of recommendations including a Road Map
Presentation of the draft recommendations by the editing committee
Interventions by representatives of the organizations
Adjustments and adoption of the draft recommendations
Closing of Skálholt III
Thanks, and prayers: Bishop of Iceland Agnes M. Sigurðardóttir, ELCI
* The Icelandic Team: Soil Conservation Service of Iceland; ELCI (Evangelic Lutheran Church of Iceland); Icelandic Forest Service; Faculty of Theology, University of Iceland; UN Association of Iceland; Icelandic Church Aid; Institute of Theology, University of Iceland; Icelandic Institute for Religion and Reconciliation; Inter-Faith Council of Iceland; Bahá‘ís of Iceland; Landvernd.
