Every year, Faith & the Common Good has an Annual Forum to support shared learning opportunities on topics important to our interfaith network. We regularly partner with community groups, such as the Green Awakening Network, to enhance our reach and your networking opportunities.
2018 Parliament of the World's Religions
November 1-7, 2018 — 2018 Parliament of the World's Religion, Metro Toronto Convention Centre
The 2018 Parliament of the World's Religions is coming to Toronto! With thousands of religious and civic leaders assembling in Toronto to address critical global issues of peace, justice, and sustainability, our network members have the opportunity to join together with other faith and spiritual communities from around the world to build a more sustainable world.
Faith & the Common Good has joined the Parliament’s Climate Action Task Force to ensure that climate change will be a major topic of the Toronto Parliament. We expect as many as 100 diverse programs on climate and related environmental issues, as well as a hospitality room, a resource centre, booths in the exhibit hall, and the 3-hour Climate Assembly from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 4.
Don’t miss this special gathering where we can find ways to mutually support each other and work together towards shared goals of protecting Mother Earth for the next generation.
Previous Annual Forums
2017 — 9th Annual Forum
Saturday, March 11, 2017 — Exploring Sacred Space: Regenerating Places of Faith — Multi-faith Centre, University of Toronto
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Click on the links below to view the presentations.
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Keynotes on:
- Sacred space in religious thought by Dr. Stephen Scharper (School of the Environment and Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto)
- Measuring the social impact and value of faith communities by Dr. Mike Wood Daly (The Halo Project)
- Workshops on 4 diverse case studies of Toronto faith communities who have regenerated their buildings:
- Presentations on:
The forum was co-hosted by Faith & the Common Good, Green Awakening Network, and the Multi-faith Centre of the University of Toronto.
2016 — 8th Annual Forum
June 11, 2016 — Climate Justice and Indigenous Allyship — Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON
“Salmon” by Don Skillen, Métis Artist 4. Change.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:
- Elder Myeengun Henry: Allyship and the struggle of the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation against Line 9
- Byron Williston: Climate Change and the Demands of Justice
Panels addressed allyship, the interfaith response, and climate justice. Panelists included: John Dillon • Leah Gazan • Lindsay Gray • Terrylynn Brant • Sheri Longboat • John Milloy • Mardi Tindal Click here for the agenda.
At the forum, we learned that allyship is all about relationships. Read our blog post here.
Feedback received at the forum has been compiled verbatim and posted to our website. Read the table discussion comments here and the survey results here.
Click here for the full conference video, which includes bookmarks to direct you to individual speakers (under SHOW MORE).
The 2016 forum was presented in partnership with Divest Waterloo, Green Awakening Network, Sacred Water Circle, and the Centre for Public Ethics at Waterloo Lutheran Seminary, with funding support from the Justice and Reconciliation Fund of the United Church of Canada.
2015 — 7th Annual Forum
October 1, 2015 — Green Choices for Faith Communities
Climate Change in our Backyard: A Multifaith Symposium on Extreme Weather Resilience
Conversation about faith-based preparation for extreme weather emergencies in the GTA. Learn about the expected local impacts of extreme weather and our shared vulnerability, how faith communities can enhance community based-resilience to extreme weather impact and how local community resources that can assist with an effective response to extreme weather emergencies
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:
- The Hon Glen Murray, Ontario Minister of the Environment and Climate Change
- Rev . Dr. David Hallman, former Climate Change Coordinator, World Council of Churches
- David MacLeod, City of Toronto’s Environment and Energy Division.
We offered workshops with Toronto Public Health, City of Toronto Office of Emergency Management, Environment and Energy.
2014 — 6th Annual Forum
March 1, 2014 — Divestment or What? Economic Tools for Creation Advocacy in a Time of Crisis
The purpose of this year’s Forum is to openly explore the dilemma presented by our investments in a fossil- fuel based economy and our need to address the worsening climate disruption. Are there better alternatives to the current path? Is there a moral imperative for society to face up to the dilemma? Should faith communities and other groups divest from fossil fuels and invest in a clean energy future? Are there alternative green investment strategies open to Canadian institutions that rely on return on capital to fund good work?
SETTING THE STAGE: ‘Do the Math’ (the film) – segments of 350.org’s Bill McKibben’s tour launching their Fossil Free campaign; introduced by Toronto 350.org with a closing summary of their University of Toronto divestment campaign.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:
- Fletcher Harper, GreenFaith (US) – Faith based divestment rationale: historical roots for action today.
- Jane Ambachtsheer, Mercer (Toronto/Global) – Is divestment the right option? Fiduciary responsibility and ethical investment options.
- Mike Brigham, SolarShare (TREC) (Ontario) – clean / renewable energy “reinvestment” opportunities for Canadians.
- Christine Boyle, Spirited Social Change (Vancouver) – Should Canadian faith communities be “faithfully disruptive” and divest?
Advocacy and Alternative local investment options were represented at the Eco-Fair within the event.
2013 — 5th Annual Forum
March 23, 2013 — Making the Leap: Hope for a Sustainable World
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:
- José Etcheverry: On building and strengthening green energy economies in Canada and around the world.
- Stephen Scharper: On integrating the natural environment into healthy urban centres from philosophical, religious, socio-political, and planning perspectives.
Plus Workshops on Eco-Spirituality, Greening Faith Buildings, and Building Sustainable Energy in Ontario. A chance to connect with other faith communities responding to the challenges of climate change, share greening successes, and be inspired to create change in your community.