Faith in the future
Ellie McCarthy writes about a conference on the role of faiths in the achievement of sustainability
From 8-9 September Bristol hosted delegates representing twenty-four faith traditions from all over the world, as well as UN officials and representatives of select secular organisations, who met to discuss goals for sustainable development.
The ‘Faith in the Future’ conference was facilitated by the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It was the only scheduled meeting for the UN to discuss the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with faith groups. These seventeen goals cover a range of current and developing issues about the planet and ultimately aim to end poverty, reduce inequality and stop climate change. Formally adopted by the UN on 25 September as part of its post-2015 agenda, the goals signify an official agreement by all member states of a commitment to changing the world for the better by 2030. The aim of the Bristol meeting was to discuss how faith groups could help the UN implement these goals.
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