In a rare historic moment, the Temple of Understanding in New York City will bring together sixty-six leaders of international interfaith organizations and other eminent visionaries, including URI Founder and President William E. Swing and URI Executive Director Charles P. Gibbs, to assess the challenges of the present ecological crisis and create a new narrative for relating to the earth and its resources. The event will take place on Tuesday, October 19 in New York City.
Participants will issue a joint statement to Robert C. Orr, Under-Secretary General of the United Nations, and commit to taking action both within their communities and on a global scale. They will also be invited to form an advisory council for the Interfaith Consortium for an Ecological Civilization (ICEC), a new committee developed by the Temple of Understanding and other organizations in connection with the United Nations Environmental Programme.
Van Jones, prominent environmentalist and author of bestselling book, The Green Collar Economy, will give the keynote speech, setting the stage for a frank, penetrating and informative discussion among these visionary leaders.
“Our founder understood the power of a group for effective action,” said Alison Van Dyk, Executive Director. “She would be so proud to see the continuation of her lifelong work to bring people together to create positive change.”
URI is a leader in interfaith collaboration on environmental, social and economic issues. One of its earliest member organizations, California Interfaith Power and Light, co-founded by Episcopal priest Rev. Canon Sally Bingham, was the catalyst for what is now a national campaign in 30 states to bring the pulpit to bear on climate change.
The conference is being held in conjunction with the 50th anniversary celebration of the founding of The Temple of Understanding. The event will be held at the Pierre Hotel in New York City on October 19, 2010. Registration begins at 10 am, and the conference runs from 11am – 5pm. Click here for more details.
