March 20, 2012, Updated September 11, 2012

Moslem, Jewish and Christian leaders met in Jerusalem this week for a series of workshops on interfaith cooperation in combating environmental troubles.

“This world is not only a beautiful and positive entity, it is also fragile and exposed to problems and deficiencies, which is why human beings bear the responsibility of improving this world,” said Archbishop Dr. Elias Chacour.

The international and Israeli religious leaders took part in a one-day Interfaith Climate and Energy Conference held in Jerusalem. The Conference was held 90 days in advance of the UN Rio +20 Conference on Sustainable Development.

The Conference marked the launch of the Interfaith Seminary Students Sustainability Project, bringing together the Moslem, Christian, and Jewish seminary students for a series of seminars on faith and the environment. The Conference also launched the first online video collection of world religious leaders on climate change.

“Being in charge and control on this earth, it is incumbent upon us to maintain the balance of life on it, to guarantee an honest living and a dignified preservation of all elements, and everything living on the face of this earth, including its animals and plants, and non-living objects,” said Sheik Muhammed Amara.

Rabbi Yonathan Neril, founder and director of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, echoed his remarks.

“Religious leaders and institutions have the potential to mobilize billions of followers in the global struggle to curb climate change and achieve sustainable development. This Conference works to generate tractable environmental change within faith-based communities,” said Rabbi Yonathan Neril.

 

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