soil health

Science, Spirituality, Solidarity: Weaving Interconnections for Change

On Oct. 20, you are invited to join the Temple of Understanding – in collaboration with Marble Collegiate Church – for FORUM2022!

FORUM2022 is a call to action on the global crisis facing humanity and all life on planet Earth. Connecting the variable causes of the climate crisis, our speakers bring together ancient wisdom and modern science to address this time of severe destruction with positive and effective solutions.

Program

Distinguished 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe, Chief Arvol Looking Horse, will open FORUM2022 with traditional Native American Sioux prayers.

“Earth Democracy: Sustainability and Justice” Keynote dialogue between Bill McKibben and Dr. Vandana Shiva will expound upon the era of unrestricted capitalism and inspire us to embrace a moral and spiritual perspective for restoring our bio-system.

Prayers will be offered for the global ecological crisis by several world religious leaders:

  • The Rev. Sally Bingham, Canon for the Environment for the Diocese of California, or you can use founder and President Emerita, Interfaith Power and Light. (Christian)
  • Imam Saffet Catovic, Director, Interfaith, Community Alliances, and Government Relations, Islamic Society of North America, Washington, D.C.(Muslim)
  • Rabbi David Rosen, KSG CBE, International Director of Interreligious Affairs, American Jewish Committee (Jewish)
  • Pandit Shukla Ji, Hindu Priest, Hindu Samaj Mandir Mahwah, New Jersey (Hindu)

“Sacred Soil & Sacred Forests” panelists examine the relationship between ancient knowledge and current scientific thinking and present practical solutions for the climate crisis. Ray Archuleta, an American soil scientist, is joined by Irish botanist and author Diana Beresford-Kroeger and Patricia Kombo, passionate environmentalist, founder of the PaTree Initiative, and she is a United Nation Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Land Hero, to discuss the crucial importance of healthy soil and vibrant forests for life on our planet, balancing the climate, harnessing water and sustaining food supplies.

A short video will introduce Jerusalem artist Beverly Barkat’s “Earth Poetica,” a phenomenal sculpture constructed from plastic waste collected from around the world, which will be exhibited at New York City’s World Trade Center complex next year.

Panelists on “Caring for our Endangered Oceans and Waterways” analyze the many ways to address the trashing of our oceans, create an international water policy, and tackle ocean warming. Dave Ford, founder of the Ocean Plastics Leadership Network, USA, an activist to industry organization, is joined by David Helvarg, executive director of Blue Frontier, and Dr. Kelsey Leonard, a citizen of the Shinnecock Nation, who is a water scientist, legal scholar, policy expert, writer, and assistant professor, University of Waterloo, Canada.

Co-sponsors 

Interfaith Center of New York, Interfaith Power and Light, Islamic Society of North America, Parliament of the World’s Religions, World Interfaith Network

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations, please visit rngos.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, please visit facebook.com/NGOCoRIP. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development/NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development/Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Human Rights, please email the co-chairs at bknotts@uua.org or bobbinassar@yahoo.com. 

NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples [regular mtg]

On behalf of the NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, please consider yourselves cordially invited to attend our next regular monthly meeting on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021 at 1pm EST.

AGENDA

1. Moment of Silence in Honor of the Land we are on and the Native Peoples of this land

2. Welcome, Introductions and Review of Agenda

3. Meeting minutes of November 18, 2021

4. Report of the Executive Committee

5. Announcement – Secretariat Update by Elaine re: Indigenous Forum – April 25 – May 6

6. Speaker –Teresa Darder (invited) from Pointe au Chien in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana on the topic of fragile coastal areas – Intro by Joy

7. Film and Discussion – “Dawnland” –  Intro by Roberto

8. Resource – Native Network Consulting – LaVonne Peck & Nina Vandenburgh (invited) – Intro by Sandy

9. Other announcements

10. Next meeting will be held on Thursday January 20, 2022, 1-3 pm

Access the meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2028703180

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CoNGO Notes: The NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is a Substantive Committee of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations.

NGO Committee on Financing for Development monthly meeting

Dear NGO Committee on FfD members & interested NGO colleagues,

The next  NGO Committee on Financing for Development meeting will take place by Zoom on December 8 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm EST.  The agenda and minutes of the meeting are posted to the meeting folder, which can be accessed here. Additional documents will be posted over the weekend. Kindly review the documents before the meeting. 
The Zoom invitation is included below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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CoNGO Notes: The NGO Committee on Financing for Development is a Substantive Committee of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations. Likewise, for more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit congocsd.wordpress.com.

Transforming Climate Finance to Radically Transform Societies: The Case of Green Climate Fund Funding

Join CIDSE on Nov. 4 for an expert panel discussion on “Transforming Climate Finance to Radically Transform Societies: the Case of Green Climate Fund Funding.”

In the context of COVID-19, climate ambition entails not only lowering greenhouse gas emissions, but also recovering effectively by addressing climate impacts, food security, poverty and inequality holistically. Climate change has a direct impact on communities, (small scale) food producers, and civil society organisations (CSOs) operating at the local level in many developing countries.

Because they are based on local realities, including the needs and knowledge of local actors, locally-driven, innovative climate-response measures are highly effective in promoting climate adaptation and resilience, ecosystem recovery, low-carbon emissions, and sustainable development.  The scaling up of climate finance will be a pressing issue at COP26, with the review of the second commitment period being particularly important.

The GCF has committed to becoming a paradigm-shifting and transformative fund for low-emission and climate-resilient development, dedicated solely to climate financing in developing countries, with a focus on both mitigation and adaptation. However, our studies have shown that barriers for CSOs to access GCF funds exist and are systemic, massive. Our studies also show that agroecology receives minimal support from the fund while it is now recognized to be key to food system transformation we dramatically need and to cope with the multiple crises we face. Addressing, reducing and overcoming these barriers as well as increasing the quality of funding for agriculture will be essential for the Fund to fulfill its mission of transformative change-making.

Learn more & register here.

For further relevant reading, see this CIDSE study: “Improving civil society’s limited access to the Green Climate Fund.”

With questions about the event, please contact Lydia Machaka, CIDSE Climate Justice Officer, at machaka(at)cidse.org.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit congocsd.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, please visit facebook.com/NGOCoRIP. 

Informal Interfaith dialogue in the spirit of the Talanoa Dialogue

Ahead of COP26, the Interfaith Liaison Committee to the UNFCCC is pleased to invite you to an Informal Interfaith dialogue in the spirit of the Talanoa Dialogue. This hybrid event will include:

For more information, check out the ILC Website or ILC Facebook / ILC Twitter, which will be updated with the Talanoa Dialogue flyer & info for registration.

The plenary and Interfaith Service will be livestreamed on Youtube & Small-group discussions via zoom registration. Register here: lutheranworld-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqf-GprjwsE9bnl2fvmbUTGiiDS_ErqQNN

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations, please visit rngos.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, please visit facebook.com/NGOCoRIP. For more information on the NGO Committee on Social Development, please visit ngosocdev.org. 

Dialogue Ⅱ of the 40th Anniversary of the UN International Day of Peace International Conference

Dialogue Ⅱ of the 40th Anniversary of the UN International Day of Peace International Conference:

Are Homo Sapiens Destined to be Trapped in the Myth of Unlimited Growth or Do They Have the Potential to Transform Themselves?

Dialogue II will feature Dr. Ehrlich, a renowned American professor in population studies, who will offer insights into the destiny of Homo sapiens trapped in the myth of limitless growth. Scholars warn that Earth’s capacity to support the coexistence of people and nature that has continued since time immemorial is nearing a breaking point. The dialogue will shed light on what kind of earth knowledge and practices are needed to save the future of human society from the looming crisis.

Panelists:

  • Paul R. Ehrlich, Emeritus Chair Professor, Department of Biology Stanford University
  • Jae Chun Choe, Distinguished Professor of EcoScience, Ehwa Women’s University

To view the Peace BAR Festival livestream and read the full program, please visit http://163.180.96.152:8082/pbf_E/main/index.do.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace, and Security, please visit ngocdps.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Human Rights, please email the co-chairs at bknotts@uua.org or bobbinassar@gmail.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, please visit facebook.com/NGOCoRIP.

Inspired Faith Action for COP26

Briefing on local and global preparations for a successful COP26

Building on its previous webinar series towards COP26, the Interfaith Liaison Committee (ILC) to the UNFCCC, in partnership with MakeCopCount will hold a webinar to:

  • 1) inspire local action until the start of COP26,  and
  • 2) share information on the content and needed outcomes of COP26

Register here: lutheranworld-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ufwmeaq3S5WSw28PH-1K8g

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations, please visit rngos.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit congocsd.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org.

Third Meeting of the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Food Sovereignty

The need to establish this Independent Forum was agreed at the Indigenous Peoples’ Global Consultation for the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) on May 29-30, 2021. Its focus is information sharing and discussion of strategies to strengthen the self-determined participation of Indigenous Peoples in UN bodies impacting Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems and Right to Food.

The 2nd meeting of the Forum was held on August 28th and included a report back from Indigenous participants of the UN Food Systems Pre-Summit in Rome and views and preparations for the UN Food Systems Summit that will be held on September 23rd in New York. Proposed topics for the 3rd meeting include:

  • Outcomes of the UN Food Systems Summit regarding Indigenous Peoples
  • Update from the World Conservation Congress (IUCN) and the CBD regarding the “30×30” policy for “protected areas”
  • UN FAO policy and code of conduct on pesticides; UN chemical treaties updates
  • And other matters of concern

This meeting is open to all Indigenous Peoples, with a special invitation to Indigenous food producers and knowledge holders, youth, and elders.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_H_Ny3Ws0QHupvpdkClVJxw

Interpretation will be provided in English, Spanish, Russian, French, and Portuguese. For more information contact: chris@treatycouncil.org, Saulvv@treatycouncil.org, or oskal@reindeercentre.org.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, please visit facebook.com/NGOCoRIP. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations, please visit rngos.wordpress.com. 

International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste

Reducing food losses and waste is essential in a world where the number of people affected by hunger has been slowly on the rise since 2014, and tons and tons of edible food are lost and/or wasted every day. Globally, around 14 percent of food produced is lost between harvest and retail, while an estimated 17 percent of total global food production is wasted (11 percent in households, 5 percent in the food service and 2 percent in retail).

The International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste is an opportunity to call to action both the public (national or local authorities) and the private sector (businesses and individuals), to prioritise actions and move ahead with innovation to reduce food loss and waste towards restoring and building back better and resilient-ready, food systems.

Check how you can help us through FAO, the leading agency for this International Day, and discover what you can do. Take action, start something. Stop food loss and waste. For the people. For the planet. And on Sept. 29th, join the global virtual event, where FAO and UNEP experts will share their perspectives on the issues and actions required to stem the problem of food loss and waste. Register here!

To share your event, download the logo and other social media materials in different languages, check the guide that will help you to spread the message, or just get more information, at FAO’s official page for the Observance. To learn more about how and why the UN commemorates the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, please visit un.org/en/observances/end-food-waste-day.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit congocsd.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Education, Learning, and Literacy, please visit facebook.com/NGOCELLatUN.

From UNGA to COP26 & Beyond: The Future of Climate Governance

The recent Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shows that the world has little chance to achieve agreed climate change mitigation targets in our lifetimes given the continued degradation of the environment.
The climate action timelines of many nations are not ambitious enough and current global governance approaches remain weak, lack accountability mechanisms, and are fragmented and siloed. Against this backdrop, this UNGA side event will discuss what new approaches and governance innovations might the international community wish to consider, as a matter of priority for climate action? And what strategies can be considered to ensure that these innovations are implemented?
Speakers:
  • Maja Groff, Convenor, Climate Governance Commission
  • Richard Ponzio, Senior Fellow and Director, Global Governance, Justice and Security Program at the Stimson Center, and Member of the Climate Governance Commission
  • Jimena Leiva Roesch, Senior Fellow and Head of Peace and Sustainable Development at the International Peace Institute, and Member of the Climate Governance Commission
  • Arunabha Ghosh, CEO at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, Member of the Climate Governance Commission
  • Dhabia Al-Mohannadi, Professor, Texas A&M University at Qatar
  • Katharine Rietig, Associate Professor in International Politics at Newcastle University, and Member of the Climate Governance Network
  • Michael Collins, Executive Director for the Americas at the Institute for Economics and Peace
  • Magnus Jiborn, Head of Research, Global Challenges Foundation and Member of the Climate Governance Commission

Moderator: Adriana Erthal Abdenur, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Plataforma CIPÓ and Member of the Climate Governance Commission

Event Co-Sponsors: Climate Governance Commission⎯Global Challenges Foundation, the Stimson Center, Global Governance Forum, Global Governance Innovation Network, Group of Women Leaders for Change & Inclusion, CIVICUS, Doha Forum, Council on Energy, Environment and Water, Plataforma CIPÓ, Baha’i International Community, International Environment Forum, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung New York Office, We The Peoples Campaign, Together First, ACUNS, Common Home of Humanity, the Institute for Economics and Peace, and the Coalition for the UN We Need

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations, please visit rngos.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit congocsd.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org.

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