Speaking and acting on values, climate change and sustainability
29 September 2015 – 17h00 to 18h30
European Parliament (Room A5E3) – Brussels
This event, hosted by MEP Othmar Karas (Austria/EPP), will gather senior Church leaders, representatives of faith-based organisations and from the European Union. They will discuss the urgent need for the EU to take the lead in tackling climate change and what key messages from Laudato Si’ and present Christian solutions could contribute to successfully reach political agreements at COP21 that will ensure sustainable development and strong climate actions to protect the earth’s resources and support the poorest communities in the world.
Draft agenda
17:00-18:00
Introduction
– MEP Othmar Karas
Keynote speeches by Church leaders:
– Mgr. Luc Van Looy, Bishop of Gand (Belgium) and President of Caritas Europa
– H. E. Metropolitan Athanasios, Church of Greece, Conference of European Churches
Interventions by:
– Bernard Pinaud, Director of the Catholic Committee against Hunger and for Development (CCFD-Terre Solidaire/CIDSE)
– Delia Villagrasa, Chargée de mission on climate at Luxembourg’s Permanent Representation in Brussels
18:00-18:30 Debate with audience
18:30 Reception
Interpretation available in English and French.
Background information
The faith community is increasingly seen as an important and influential ally in preparation for a successful UN Climate Summit in Paris in December 2015 (COP21) and in setting the global economy on a long-term sustainable and socially just path.
Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’ met with great enthusiasm worldwide. Its specific focus on the environment and integral human development builds on Catholic Social Teaching on human dignity and human development, providing messages of personal and joint responsibility to take care of our common home that resonate with Catholic communities and well beyond.
Christian churches have increasingly taken bold steps to address climate change. They have mobilised their communities to undertake local climate actions; challenged investments in fossil fuels and engaged with political decision-makers. In Europe, they have called on the EU to take the lead on linking climate to development, environment and energy policies; and to seize the opportunity that the “Junker Package” on the Energy Union, Capital Markets Union and the European Fund for Strategic Investments offers to address systemic problems within Europe’s policies.
Don’t miss this opportunity to find out more about the Christian perspective on caring for creation, climate change and sustainability!
Deadline to register: 25 September 2015 at 12:00
Register through this link.