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Faith Plans Newsletter | June 2023 |
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As the year progresses, our news feeds continue to be filled with stories of extreme weather, flooding, drought, storms and the hardship this causes to people and planet. It would be easy to become disheartened, but in this bumper edition of the Faith Plans newsletter, we have lots of great news to share with you! A transformative new Faith Plan just in from Bhutan Church of England to divest from fossil fuels A successful 14th 'Greening Friday' in Uganda Laudato Si' guides for schools, universities, congregations and dioceses launched Announcement of the inaugural Interfaith Pavilion at COP29 Launch of a multi-faith guide to 'Environmental Stewardship in Places of Worship' Report on 'Investment, Faith & Development' event by FaithInvest, held in London Postcard from Sweden: Catherine Devitt reports from Mariapolis 2023 And last, but not least, Dr Lorna Gold is to be the new CEO of FaithInvest
We would love to hear what you are planning and doing in relation to your Faith Plan. We love to hear stories from people of faith around the world who continue to do all that they can to protect people and planet. We enjoy sharing your good news in this newsletter, so please do keep sending us your stories! From the Faith Plans Team |
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NEW! Bhutan Faith Plan: 'Enlightened Stewardship' |
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We are delighted to announce the publication of the brand-new long-term Faith Plan from the Kingdom of Bhutan. Drawing on the broad spiritual traditions of the country and the principles of Buddhism, the plan, entitled 'Enlightened Stewardship' is designed to facilitate an eco-spiritual transformation to mainstream sustainable living in Bhutanese society. The ultimate goal is to transform Bhutanese society and promote sustainable living and environmental wellbeing through living environment-friendly lifestyles. Read more... |
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Church of England announces fossil fuel divestment |
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On 22 June 2023, the Church Commissioners and Church of England Pensions Board each announced they will independently disinvest from fossil fuels this year. This decision arises from the Church of England’s National Investing Bodies (NIBs) reported back to the General Synod on progress against a 2018 Synod motion. The motion set out a five-year strategy to invest in climate solutions, engage with high carbon emitting companies, and disinvest from fossil fuel companies not aligned with the Paris Agreement. Read more... |
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Celebrating the 14th 'Greening Friday' in Uganda |
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In Uganda, the 14th Greening Friday was held on Friday 31 March 2023, the second Friday of the Holy Month of Ramadan 2023. This is an annual event organised by the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council. Over 2,000 tree seedlings were distributed during this time. These included a wide range of indigenous fruit tree seedlings, including jackfruit, avocado and jamun (also known as jambula). [Photo of Hajjat Aphwa Ssebyala (right), initiator of Green Friday in 2010, at Greening Friday 2023, by Ramadhan Abbey of NewVision Uganda] Read more... |
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Laudato Si' sector-specific guides now available! |
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A set of sector-specific resources for dioceses, universities, congregations and schools were developed in partnership with the Laudato Si' Movement and the Laudato Si' Action Platform. They focus on four areas: divestment, sustainable banking, sustainable investment and sustainable insurance. The resources are available in English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, French, German, Kiswahili and Tagalog. Polish is coming soon! Read more... |
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Inaugural interfaith Pavilion at COP28 |
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The faiths are being formally recognised as essential actors in the forthcoming COP28 preparations. The UN Environment Programme and the Muslim Council of Elders have formed strategic multi-partnerships with faith-based organisations (FBOs) and civil society partners to host a first-of-its-kind Pavilion at the COP. The Pavilion will provide a unique opportunity for interfaith dialogue, capacity building, information sharing, and engagement with key stakeholders including negotiators and political leaders. Read more... |
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Reducing carbon footprints in places of worship |
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We are all conscious of the need to reduce our carbon footprint, not only in our homes but in our communities and places of employment. We were therefore delighted to see ‘Environmental Stewardship in Places of Worship: A Guide to Reducing our Carbon Footprint’, published by the Catholic Diocese of Salford, UK. This very practical guide—which was created following consultation with synagogues, mosques, churches and other places of worship—outlines practical ways to reduce our carbon footprint at places of worship. Read more... |
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Investment, Faith and Development: a good fit? |
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The international development sector spends well above US$200 billion each year, and faith-based agencies are some of the biggest non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working to deliver transformational change for the world’s poorest peoples. What would happen if they met with progressive business networks managing around £500 billion, which want to assist the faiths in transformational action? |
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With growing humanitarian needs, climate change, environmental crises, wars and conflicts, the aid sector is under pressure as never before – just as tighter foreign aid budgets and greater fiscal austerity mean less funding is available. Is there a role for the business world to ensure equitable development? Faith Plans' founding organisation, FaithInvest, held an invitation-only event in London to explore what might be possible. Read more... |
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FaithInvest's Catherine Devitt visited Sweden last month, where she spoke at the Mariapolis gathering on an island just off the coast of Stockholm. Catherine addressed the interconnectedness between care for the earth and peace-building. She outlined why environmental crises should be an issue of huge concern to faith communities and what this means for how faith groups respond. 'Faith communities are called to leaders in bringing about a profound transformation towards a more just and sustainable world,' she said. 'They are now being called to dig deep and draw on the richness of their values and the reach of their resources to bring us into a time of renewal and recovery. Faith communities must be prepared to help build a new economics that is appropriate for the needs of our time.' Read more... |
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A Transition at FaithInvest and Faith Plans |
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We are delighted to announce that Dr Lorna Gold will be the new Chief Executive Officer of FaithInvest from September 2023. Dr Gold is currently FaithInvest's Director of Movement Building. She takes over from Martin Palmer who remains as FaithInvest’s Founding President. FaithInvest is the founding organisation of Faith Plans. |
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Dr Lorna Gold is currently FaithInvest’s Director of Movement Building. She is an accomplished academic and author, writing widely on topics related to faith, sustainability and development finance with over two decades of experience of international development and engaging the faiths on climate and financial justice. Read more... |
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Faith Plans information series We are delighted with the level of interest in our free online information series for groups starting their Faith Plans journey. When you register, the series is delivered to your inbox each week for nine weeks, with links to online resources, exploring the Seven Key Areas of Faith Plans. It also provides guidance on how to create your own Faith Plan, and suggestions for what to do next. |
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Share your Faith Plan If you have already developed your Faith Plan, or have a draft Plan ready to go, please let us know. If you would like to showcase your Faith Plan on our website, alongside those developed by other faiths around the world, you can upload it here. |
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Stay in touch on social media We enjoy hearing about your activities for people and planet, and love sharing your news on social media.
Do follow us on Twitter for the latest updates, and share your own news with us using #FaithPlans or #FaithsTakeAction or @FaithPlans. |
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Faith Plans for People and Planet is a framework to help faith communities plan how to use their assets, investments and influence to drive positive action on the climate and environment. Developed by FaithInvest and WWF’s Beliefs and Values Programme, it is available to all faith groups via the FaithPlans.org website which has resources, guides and inspiring case studies. Faith Plans is an initiative of FaithInvest. Visit FaithInvest.org for more information. Join the Movement of faith communities taking action to protect the planet! |
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