People from different Faith Traditions, First Nations and the Ecological Sciences come together to share their wonder and awe at the biodiversity of Earth’s living world, especially Australia’s unique species, in a one day conference at a very appropriate venue: the Multicultural Hub in the Centre of multicultural Victoria’s capital city, Melbourne.
Hosted by the Faith Ecology Network (FEN) in a partnership with the Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA), the program is aimed at growing diverse connected communities in earth consciousness, commitment and action in and between faith communities and ecological practitioners. “Scientists, like Prof Sarah Bekessy from the Biodiversity Council who will be one of the key speakers, have been sharing their knowledge with us for many years about the loss of Australia’s unique biodiversity, and yet that decline continues apace,” said Anne Lanyon, the Co-ordinator of FEN, the volunteer network of networks that brings faith and ecology together across diverse faith traditions.
“There is a disconnect, between everyday living and being conscious of the interconnection and interdependence of the whole of the natural world. Yet all the faith traditions have their foundations in the natural world. We are blessed to live on a diverse planet and in a diverse country. There is no one way to address the decline in biodiversity. Pope Francis from the Catholic tradition wrote: “If we are truly concerned to develop an ecology capable of remedying the damage we have done, no branch of the sciences and no form of wisdom can be left out, and that includes religion and the language particular to it.” Laudato Si’ #63
The conference program also includes speakers, Sherrey Balcombe-Maloney, First Nations; Michelle Maloney, Australian Earth Laws Alliance; and Andrew Skeoch, Nature Sound Recordist. Panelists from Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, Christian and Muslim faith traditions will respond. Participants will listen to and learn from each other in a variety of ways, including in workshops and rituals. They will experience ways of using FEN’s Ten Ways to Care for biodiversity process and practice in their faith and other communities. “We see a great opportunity for faith communities to collaborate with local council environment projects such as Gardens for Wildlife or Land for Wildlife”, said Anne.
The Conference is sponsored by the Uniting Church VICTAS and the St Columbans Mission Society, Oceania Region, and supported by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan.
For further information, please email faithecology@gmail.com, ph 0408 279 871.
Conference Bookings can be made through the FEN website at www.faithecology.net.au
Source: Faith Ecology Network