WINDSOR, United Kingdom —Leaders representing the world's major religions, including the Baha'i Faith, gathered yesterday at historic Windsor Castle to formally launch a series of action plans involving their communities in a long-term effort to protect the environment.
"I have long believed that when governments and civil society work toward a common goal, transformational change is possible," said Mr. Ban. "Faiths and religions are a central part of that equation.
"Indeed, the world's faith communities occupy a unique position in discussions on the fate of our planet and the accelerating impacts of climate change," he said.
The core session of the gathering was yesterday's meeting at Windsor Castle, where representatives of each religious group presented a seven-year plan designed to promote "generational change" in attitudes towards the environment.
In general, the plans sought to offer concrete, practical steps for action.
The Muslim plan, for example, calls for the establishment of an umbrella organization, Muslim Associations for Climate Change Action (MACCA), that will represent Islamic nations and faith communities from around the world. It also calls for an Islamic environmental labeling system, a "Green Hajj" so that within 10 years the traditional Islamic pilgrimage will be recognized as environmentally friendly, and the construction of a model "green mosque" to showcase best practices in heating, light, and design.
Representatives of the Baha'i Faith presented a plan that focuses on using a system of regional training institutes to encourage within the worldwide Baha'i community "acts of service related to environmental sustainability." "Baha'is believe that religious belief and spirituality lie at the foundation of human motivation and behavior," said Tahirih Naylor, a Baha'i International Community representative to the United Nations who was one of two Baha'i delegates to the Windsor event.
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