We have faith! SAFCEI’s plans for COP17

African faith leaders met at UNEP in June to discuss Africa's response to the climate crisis

African faith leaders met at UNEP in June to discuss Africa's response to the climate crisis

In December, the world meets in Durban, South Africa, for the UN climate change conference. SAFCEI and our friends across the faith communities’ have a number of events planned in response, all part of our We Have Faith – Act Now for Climate Justice! campaign.

What you can do:

Earlier events

20-21 September, Durban: South African inter-faith conference on climate change (with South African Council of Churches, Indalo Yethu and EJN)

7-9 June, Nairobi: Pan African conference: “Climate justice for lasting peace” (with All Africa Conference of Churches)

4-6 May, Lusaka: Southern African faith and climate change conference (hosted with Economic Justice Network)

Background

The world is at profound risk and Africa, where people are least responsible for climate change, is one of the regions most threatened by it. Yet astoundingly, our leaders all too often base their climate decisions on short-term cost calculations, market interests and political expedience. We urgently need to restore what should be the moral and ethical basis of these discussions: a profound regard for the value of life, the dignity and equality of human beings and the rights of future generations.

So, in November before the COP, we will host a  RALLY of leaders  and people of faith and conscience (27 November), in the Kings Park Stadium, to proclaim the  moral foundation  that we, people of faith, believe should direct the climate talks .  These moral principles are to be drawn up at the Pan-African Nairobi conference.

On Sunday 4 December, in the middle of the conference, we will hold a multi-faith prayer gathering in Durban.  We will also be distributing prayers and sermon material asking all faith communities to pray for the success of the conference.

We have the support of Archbishop emeritus Desmond Tutu and Mary Robinson of the Elders, and are awaiting confirmation from other leading figures of faith and conscience on their possible participation.

Our partners in this programme include the All Africa Conference of Churches, the South African Council of Churches, the Economic Justice Network, the Diakonia Council of Churches, Norwegian Church Aid, the Church of Sweden, ICCO and others. Join us and expand the network.

Ahead of these events, we are working with partners on a series of conferences to inspire faith leaders to take the initiative in responding to climate change in Africa.