United Nations COP29: BLIA Participates in Faith Pavilion's Thematic Speech

Reported by Puda in Baku, The Life News Agency
English translator: I-kai Lee
November 27, 2024

The "United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29)" is being held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. On the morning of the November 18th, the Faith Pavilion invited Maureen Goodman, the UN representative of the Brahma Kumaris, a UN observer organization, to deliver a thematic speech. Kwong Djee Chan, Vice Director of BLIA World Headquarters Lay Dharma Lecturer/Teacher Fellowship Committee, attended the event on behalf of BLIA World Headquarters.

Ms. Goodman emphasized that in the face of severe climate change, the voice of religions must be louder. While many feel despair about the current situation, she cited the conference's theme, "Despair is not a solution," encouraging attendees to draw strength from faith. She urged everyone to start with daily spiritual practice to create an atmosphere of peace and strength in confronting challenges.

After her speech, Ms. Goodman had a discussion with Kwong Djee Chan, who shared the efforts and outcomes of BLIA and the Green Foundation's "Vegetarianism to Save the Earth" campaign. Ms. Goodman expressed great admiration and invited Chan to visit the Brahma Kumaris' Brisbane center for further conversation. In return, Chan extended an invitation for Ms. Goodman to visit the BLIA center in New York.

Another session at the Faith Pavilion was hosted by Rabbi Yonatan Neril, focusing on "Implementing Religious Climate Action." Rabbi Neril explored personal repentance on climate change through ten spiritual principles that are shared by representatives from Catholicism, Islam, and Panama’s indigenous communities.

Bishop Gerry Alminaza from the Philippines shared how he implemented environmental protection in his diocese. Nigerian Islamic representative Professor Aliyu Barau highlighted the importance of grassroots mobilization. During the Q&A session, Kwong Djee Chan, one of the few Buddhist representatives, echoed the speakers' points. He mentioned that although Buddhism believes in the law of dependent origination rather than creationism, the Buddhist belief that all beings possess Buddha-nature aligns with the view that all things are sacred in creationism. Rabbi Neril expressed deep appreciation for Chan’s insights and hoped for broader interfaith representation in future exchanges.

After the session, Chan continued his conversation with Bishop Alminaza, sharing the profound friendship between Cardinal Paul Shan Kuo-hsi and Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan. Bishop Alminaza was deeply moved and praised the continued close ties between Fo Guang Shan and the Catholic Church in Taiwan after the passing of these two religious leaders.

Notably, Faith Pavilion organizer Mohamed Bahr, an elder of the Muslim community, was impressed by Chan’s presentation on Fo Guang Shan and BLIA’s promotion of Humanistic Buddhism and environmental protection. He extended an invitation to BLIA World Headquarters UN NGO Office Director, Venerable You Lin, to deliver a thematic speech at the Faith Pavilion on November 21. The speech will focus on Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s guidance for practitioners to implement "Three Acts of Goodness: Do Good Deeds, Speak Good Words, and Think Good Thoughts" to practice “environmental and spiritual conservation”.