2023 Celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | February 28 – March 02, 2023
Time of Prophecy: Walking in the Prayers of Our Ancestors
By Joanne Wadsworth
Kitagawa began the discussion by briefly introducing the film, highlighting its upcoming world premiere at the UN in New York City on April 20th. She also introduced the Seventh Generation Fund and its work, and each of the speakers present for the preview showing. Then the film, which runs approximately 30 minutes, was played for all in attendance.
After the film, each of the panelists were invited to share insights and reflections on the film’s theme, which focusses on the relationship between indigenous peoples and Mother Earth.
“30 by 30”: The UN COP 15 and the Global Biodiversity Framework
By Dr. Husna Ahmad
In light of G20 India’s theme for 2023 being “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” I find it valuable to reflect on last winter’s COP 15 on Biodiversity.
The 15th Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity adopted the “Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework” (GBF), including four goals and 23 targets for achievement by 2030. It was hosted in Montreal in December 2022 by Canada and chaired by China.
The Environmental Education of Children
By Victoria W. Thoresen
Many schools include environmental education in their curricula, but this is often done by merely sharing factual information about the critical state of parts of the physical environment, leading to feelings of anxiety and vulnerability. Such an approach tends to focus primarily on specific problems and to a much lesser extent on developing the positive attitudes and behaviour needed to solve existing problems. Increased anxiety for the future is often the result. In some cases, students even acquire a paralyzing sense of futility about being able to influence the changes that are taking place.