Moderated E-Learning Course

Faith, Environment and Climate Change

8-module, moderated e-learning course

Description

It is increasingly recognised that faith leaders and faith-based organizations (FBOs) can be, and have already been, essential contributors towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the attainment of Agenda 2030. Nonetheless, to scale-up this potential, there is need for greater synergies between FBOs and other stakeholders, such as policymakers, NGOs, multilateral institutions, government agencies etc. FBOs also need guidance on how they can strategically engage with the SDGs to measure and evaluate their valuable contributions towards the broader global agenda and SDG progress on the ground.

Engaging with faith actors is essential for mobilising the tremendous power they hold in engaging masses of people. Whilst FBOs have long been engaged in areas such as humanitarian assistance, education and healthcare, they have less experience in environmentally-focused work, climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. Nonetheless, there is a wealth of inspiration to be derived from religious texts and teachings as all religions call upon their adherents to care for nature. Therefore, it is essential to connect environmental issues with sacred texts and teachings, whilst providing faith actors with the scientific knowledge to guide their climate action. This will enable faith leaders to engage with their communities in explaining their collective and individual roles in the implementation of the SDGs. Simultaneously, it is essential that perceived faith-secular/science bridges are overcome and that new partnerships are forged between relevant stakeholders and actors for mutual benefit. 

This is crucial, as globally, as of late 2020, we are not on track to achieve the SDGs and doing so requires the engagement from the full spectrum of society. Given that over 80% of the world population is affiliated with a religion or faith, faith actors will be essential moving forward and can play an invaluable part in building a more sustainable future.

The modules of this course were designed in partnership with KAICIID and UNEP.

KAICIID launched the FAITH4SDGS Project. More information and material can be found here: https://www.kaiciid.org/content/sustainable-development-goals-sdgs


Learning objectives

The overarching aim of this course is to build the capacity of faith actors and empower them to address different dimensions of climate change and environmental challenges and contribute towards the attainment of the SDGs. Although primarily oriented towards faith actors, the contents of the eight modules that constitute the course will also be relevant for a wide range of stakeholders and it will ideally be a catalyst to help bridge potential faith-science/secular divides and encourage the founding of new partnerships and cooperation.


Objectives

1) Participants gain insight into the strategic focus of UNEP and the environmental priority areas its mid-term strategy and programmes of work focus on in the final decade of action for the attainment of the SDGs.

2) To provide faith actors with an understanding of the diverse components of environmental challenges and supply them with scientific knowledge, resources and examples of best practice to equip them to help address these.

3) Other, diverse and secular actors see the value of engaging and partnering with FBOs to achieve mutually supported goals, given the particular qualities and experience that FBOs offer. Ideally it will be a catalyst to help bridge potential faith-science/secular divides.

Ultimately these processes will help communities around the world to adapt and mitigate against the negative impacts of climate change, pollution, extreme weather events and the destruction of the natural world.

Course Outline

The e-learning course is comprised of eight modules, which will be given in a moderated environment over an eight-week period. Each module will focus on a different thematic topic that correlates to priority areas that UNEP is working in. The module will introduce the particular issue, the challenges associated with addressing it and focus on the tangible contributions that faith actors can make in providing or assisting solutions. Case studies and examples will be used throughout to demonstrate the added value of engaging with faith actors and serve as inspiration, both for faith actors and for organizations working in related fields to partner with faith actors. The SDGs and Agenda 30 will serve as the overarching framework that such work must be aligned to. The first module will act as an introductory overview with the subsequent modules focusing on various dimensions and components of the planetary crisis.


  • Week 1, Module 1: Faith for Earth: A Time for Action
  • Week 2, Module 2: Faith for Earth and Climate Change
  • Week 3, Module 3: Faith for Earth and Water
  • Week 4, Module 4: Faith for Earth and Ecosystems Restoration
  • Week 5, Module 5: Faith for Earth and Financing for Sustainable Development
  • Week 6, Module 6: Faith for Earth and Environmental Governance
  • Week 7, Module 7: Faith for Earth and Environmental Security (NBS)
  • Week 8, Module 8: Faith for Earth and Sustainable Lifestyles

Certification

A Certificate of Completion will be issued to participants who achieve a minimum total score of 70% and who complete all the mandatory activities.