Peace in Action: Faith in a Time of Climate Crisis and Looking Back at 2025

Faith in a Time of Climate Crisis and Looking Back at 2025

Dear Friends,

The devastating flooding in Sri Lanka last month has thrown the glaring environmental crises we face as a global community into the spotlight. November's floods highlight a deeper issue beyond the desecration of environment and infrastructure, as well as the disruption of lives—they highlight the polycrisis our world faces.

At the same time, November highlighted the commitment from members of Religions for Peace movement in calling out environmental injustices. This year’s COP30 in Belem, Brazil, served as a platform for faith leaders to convene and address such issues, with religious leaders in Australia and Japan releasing a joint statement on climate justice.

Religions for Peace hosted a side event during COP30, “Ancestral Wisdom and Youth Leadership: Pathways to Sustainable Climate Action” which centred indigenous voices and called for increased participation from this community as key actors in resolving climate crises.

Overall, this month demonstrated the crucial need for continued work at the intersection of faith and environment. Let us pray for the wellbeing of those affected by the environmental crises and continue our joint efforts to address the issues that create these challenges.

As 2025 ends, I am also pleased to share highlights of the Religions for Peace movement’s work over the past year, which are summarized in our “2025 At a Glance” publication. We hope you will consider supporting our important work for the coming year.

As we move into December, we wish a safe and blessed holidays and New Year to all.

In peace,

Dr. Francis Kuria

Secretary General

FOCUS

Sacred Stewardship: Faith on the Frontlines of Climate Change

November's COP30 as well as the devastating floods in Sri Lanka have brought environmental issues to the forefront. Around the world, Religions for Peace local, national, and regional interreligious councils are spearheading efforts to protect the world's rainforests, raise awareness of climate issues among faith leaders, and address climate change as one of the root causes of conflict.

FROM THE FIELD

Fruitful Efforts in Somalia Towards Eliminating Harmful Practices Against Girls and Women

The Government of Somalia is poised to enact a critical law to protect girls from harmful practices after the country’s Council of Ministers approved a draft law banning female genital mutilation (FGM) in November. The draft law grew out of sustained interreligious dialogue and collaboration supported by Religions for Peace.

UPDATES

Advancing the Responsibility to Protect the Rights and Dignity of the Child

Global faith leaders issued a powerful call for unified, concrete action to protect children’s rights and dignity during the first of three special interfaith dialogues organised by Arigatou International, World Council of Churches, and Religions for Peace .

Mindful Peace Blog:

Shared Sacred Spaces

“When Faiths Meet: The Potential of Coexistence and Collaboration in Shared Sacred Spaces” looks at the complex relationship between different religious groups and the locations they inhabit, and how this results in diverse and collaborative spaces.

GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS

Conflicts Likely to Remain Elevated, New ACLED Index Warns

The 2025 ACLED Conflict Index finds that global political violence remains at historically high levels and is increasingly fragmented, protracted, and harmful to civilians. Religions for Peace attended the launch of the Index in November.

Disarmament, AI, and Ethics: Highlights from the 2025 UN First Committee

The UN General Assembly’s First Committee concluded its 2025 session, adopting more than 60 resolutions on nuclear disarmament, conventional arms, outer space security, and emerging technologies. Member States reaffirmed support for the NPT, nuclear-weapon-free zones, and risk-reduction measures, while emphasizing the humanitarian impact of armed conflict.

DID YOU KNOW?

On 30 November 2022, Religions for Peace; the City Council of Manresa, Catalonia, Spain; and Religions for Peace-Spain-GTER co-organized "At a Crossroads: An Intergenerational and Multireligious Response to the Social and Environmental Crises" resulting in the signing of the Manresa Pact - a formal commitment to combating global climate issues through addressing inequalities in cities and promoting awareness of the world's finite natural resources.

READ THE PRESS RELEASE

ON SOCIAL MEDIA

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence

A series of posts shared statistics, impact stories, and resources to raise awareness and encourage action against the devastating violence that women and girls face. This year’s theme of digital violence shed light on the use of AI or other technology to coerce, exploit, or threaten women.

To conclude the campaign, Religions for Peace highlighted a new initiative: “Lifting Voices, Leading Change: Women of Faith for Gender Equality” supported by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. More communication will come about this initiative involving Women of Faith Networks in Kenya, Malawi, and Mexico.

Join the conversation on social media:

ECRL/RfP Europe at the 6th Annual European Policy Dialogue Forum

ECRL/RfP Europe was a partner in organizing the 6th Annual European Policy Dialogue Forum in Geneva, Switzerland, led by the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) and hosted by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The Forum brought together over 100 religious leaders, youth representatives, and international institutions from across the globe to reflect on equity, the core value of this year’s dialogue—a powerful reminder that true dialogue begins with listening.

SEE MORE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

IN THE MEDIA

Protecting Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion: Ensuring a Future of Peace and Shared, Sacred Flourishing for All

In October, Dr. Francis Kuria gave a keynote address at the International Center for Law and Religion Studies Symposium at BYU, and that speech has now been published on their blog.

Japan–Australia Religious Organisations’ Joint Statement Calling for Environmental Justice toward COP30

Religions for Peace South Africa members joined the Provincial Interfaith KZN Summit 2025

FEATURED RESOURCE

Religions for Peace and our global network of regional and national interreligious councils have published numerous resources supporting interreligious collaboration on multiple issues.

Seeds of Change: Uniting Faith Communities to Protect Girls’ Rights

Written for pastors, priests, imams, sheikhs, catechists, madrasa teachers, and lay leaders, Seeds of Change is a collaborative resource that presents the reasons to end harmful practices, translating them into actionable steps and encouraging faith leaders to work together to make a difference.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Interfaith Prayer for Shared Sacred Flourishing

Virtual - 21 January - 8:30am EST

As we enter a new year, this sacred gathering brings together diverse religious and faith leaders to reflect, pray, and recommit to advancing peace, upholding human dignity, and fostering Shared Sacred Flourishing.

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+1 212 687 2163 | www.rfp.org | info@rfp.org

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