Together in faith, as climate summit begins

LWF delegate speaks on ‘hope for our common home’

The LWF delegation — this year comprised of over 60 people coming from 29 member churches in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, and North America — attend COP both in-person and online, facilitating the full participation of youth in climate change-related decision-making, including enabling them to provide solutions.

Carine Josiéle Wendland, an LWF delegate from the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil spoke at the opening panel of the Talanoa, reflecting on the intergenerational dimensions of the climate emergency, and the role faith communities have to play in addressing the situation.

“At this COP28, as young people, we call on all governments and other stakeholders to do all they can to ensure that young people are included in all climate policies and actions. Opportunities and processes must be put in place to build capacity and enable young people to participate and contribute in a meaningful way,” Wendland said.

“There is much to do at this COP28 and time is limited, but as youth and faith-based organizations, we are also here with hope, with faith that we can still take care of our common home,” she added.

Looking ahead at the fortnight of negotiations and the role faith communities can play, general secretary of the World Council of Churches Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay spoke to the need to call for “a profound and rapid change of heart: From a self-centered and anthropocentric narrative to an understanding that we are all deeply interconnected in the web of life.”

“At COP28, we need to spread a gospel of hope and action,” Pillay added.

As the event drew to a close, Haposan Cornelius Sinaga of the Protestant Christian Batak Church (HKBP), an LWF delegate from the Batak community in North Sumatra, reflected on the current realities of indigenous peoples – one of a range of focus areas of the Talanoa evening’s conversations.

“I hope as a young indigenous person that governments, companies, and churches themselves could involve and respect the value of indigenous peoples. We are not being heard, so we need to mobilize faith-based groups, we cannot do this alone. We must work together,” he said.

The LWF participates in the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), which takes place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 30 Nov - 12 Dec 2023. This engagement is part of the communion’s ongoing focus on strengthening climate action and advocacy at all levels. Young people are vital agents of change and form a greater part of the LWF’s delegation to COP28.