Brahma Kumaris at COP29, 20th – 22nd November

This year, the COP29 Faith Pavilion offered daily ‘Spiritual Moments’ a serene 30-minute space where diverse faith traditions including the Brahma Kumaris, converged to lead moments of meditation, prayer, and contemplation. This sacred environment provided participants with an opportunity to pause, reflect, recharge and reconnect with their inner selves, each other, and the Earth. Each session, guided by leaders from various spiritual paths, aimed to unite attendees in a sacred space of silence, fostering a collective spirit of hope, resilience, and responsibility for our planet’s future.

In the second week, the BK team also led evening meditations at the Cryosphere Pavilion.  The aim was to cultivate the inner peace and strength needed to commit to a path of sustainable living and continue to advocate for ambitious emissions reductions.  Each session addressed a different aspect of the Cryosphere:  permafrost, glaciers, arctic sea, and snow.

In the final few days, many of the events explored the significance of the ‘inner dimension’ and the importance of connecting with our intrinsic values such as respect and love, as a basis for developing transformational solutions to climate change and a more relational worldview.  In the Climate Wisdom Studio, discussions revolved around what it will take to achieve a sustainable future for all.

 

 

20th November Regenerative Power of Food Systems: Healing Our Planet Through Inner Transformation and Community Resilience

This roundtable session explored the transformative potential of sustainable food systems and the essential role of inner development and community empowerment in tackling climate challenges. 

For all the speakers, respect, love and non-violence were seen as important values to drive systemic change and planetary healing.

Maria Virginia Solis Wahnish shared how values-driven farming, inspired by “Laudato Si”, can promote sustainability.
James Leslie presented the Conscious Food Systems Alliance (CoFSA), emphasising the role of inner capacities in fostering regenerative practices.
Valeriane Bernard spoke on the intersection of spirituality and sustainable food systems.

20th November, Brahma Kumaris COP29 Reception
Beyond Borders, Beyond Politics: Strengthening our relational fabric for real climate solutions

The BK COP29 delegation held a heart-warming reception for colleagues and friends of the BK Environment Initiative. The gathering, facilitated by the BK delegates, offered an evening that aimed at providing a refreshing environment for delegates, following a very busy day at COP. Various activities kept everyone engaged in meaningful roundtable conversations and reflections on aspects relating to nature including applying listening skills, a key component that the guests identified as much needed around negotiating tables.
A panel discussion, with Sister Jayanti, Addl. Admin. Head of Brahma Kumaris; Massamba Thioye, Project Executive, UNFCCC Global Innovation Hub, who led the creation of the innovation hub at COP; and Dr. Wassim Dbouk, UNFCCC Negotiator, Lebanese Ministry of Environment, a young and first-time negotiator, was the highlight of the evening. Carolin Fraude of the BK and scholar from the Research Institute of Sustainability, Potsdam moderated the conversation.

The speakers shared their thoughts and reflections on the solutions that take a different approach from the convention:

Massamba Thioye: “At Global Innovation Hub, we realize that if we want our climate and sustainability action to be effective, we need to have our climate actors taking ownership of three core values of caring, sharing and daring. Caring is very important because it is what will facilitate empathy and perspective taking.”

Sister Jayanti: “When I connect with that silent space inside, a space which is sacred and peaceful, I am able to hold my head up high with dignity because then I am in touch with my own core values. And I think that for leaders today, it is so important to be aware that if they are able to have the courage to uphold the inner values of peace, truth, love, compassion, they can show us the way to a better world.”

Dr.Wassim Dbouk: “I work with brilliant academics who produce all the solutions to solve this existential crisis that we are facing and yet we are struggling with right decisions and adopting long term action. I started to reflect on that and what I concluded is that we are facing a crisis of disconnection and subsequent lack of empathy and compassion.”

The evening continued with roundtable sessions followed by a surprise presentation by culture officials of Azerbaijan to the Brahma Kumaris in recognition for their work at the COP. The event concluded with the giving of special sweets and affirmation cards, personally handed out by Sister Jayanti to the guests.

21st November Igniting the Power of Transformative Partnerships for Inner and Outer Transformation

The People’s Climate vote 2024 tells us that people do want to change. Yet modernist thinking and worldviews entangled with colonial power dynamics exclude other perspectives from decision-making. Accordingly, environmental policy tends to ignore human inner dimensions, intrinsic values and relational worldviews that are inherent in various traditional and wisdom communities.

Christine Wamsler (online), Professor of Sustainability Science at Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies (LUCSUS), had 3 key messages: 1. The current approach is insufficient. 2. There is a new field that addresses gaps in understanding. This is the field of inner development.  3. There is growing knowledge that can be tapped into to accelerate climate action. “It’s one story, let’s change together!”

 Sister Jayanti spoke about this different perspective that is needed – not to look outside but inside. We need to find the time to give ourselves the chance to experience this inner peace and see the self as part of the whole, not the ‘me’ and ‘mine’ dynamic that is currently operating.

John D. Liu spoke about how it is time to admit that we have got it wrong – that the production, consumption, speculation way of operating is not working. We can and must change – either be thoughtful and do the right thing or the current system will implode.  We must conserve, protect and restore and shift societal intent from the current economic system.

Savina Carluccio said that engineers have been seeing nature as an obstacle to control and conquer, and we should be rethinking the hierarchy of solutions of which, nature is one. To rethink what new skills and capabilities engineers will need so that they are ready to implement new solutions. Scientists have a special status and we can use this special status to advocate these solutions.

21st November The H.E.A.R.T. Process

The 90-minute interactive workshop was designed to foster deep reflection and meaningful dialogue on the key themes of Hope, Empathy, Action, Resilience, Transformation. Listening circles were formed and the groups were asked to answer two questions: 1. What role does listening play in any of the transformational goals? 2. What has resonated the most for you, so far, at COP?

After discussion, groups shared main points, personal experiences of the process and questions were put to the panel.

Amitabh Shan said “I came to COP to learn the art of listening”. He added that many meetings are about policies but there is a huge need to look at the spiritual and charge up physical and spiritual energy each day.

Sister Jayanti pointed out the changes she had seen at COP throughout the years – the inclusion of faith, experiments with different modes of communication; dialogue, circles. The recognition that voices from civil societies are important, and the inclusion of youth.

Samuel Chiu spoke about the opportunities for youth to come to COP, engage in meaningful conversations, talk to officials – all very empowering. “We live in bubbles and we need to burst them”.

Cecile Guidote-Alvarez Talked of the vital importance of the arts in awakening conscience and transforming lives.  Even though the arts are expensive, they must be given freely and with ‘caring’ – audio visuals, drama, music, painting – interdisciplinary. The arts can reach millions – if done with the heart.

21st November Dialogue on Impact Series: Interfaith Dialogue on COP29 Stocktake and What is Needed for COP30

The Interfaith Liaison Committee with the UNFCCC hosted an Impact session at the Faith Pavilion, focusing on the intergenerational impacts of climate change and youth involvement.

Participants discussed ways to strengthen faith communities’ roles in promoting justice for future generations in upcoming climate negotiations. They aimed to inspire forward-thinking strategies, foster collaboration, and shape a shared vision for a resilient and inclusive COP30.

21st November, The Values Behind the Climate Crisis – An Interfaith Approach

This event at the Cryosphere Pavilion explored how faith can support a just future and pathways to 1.5°C emissions reductions.

The climate crisis is deeply tied to our values and relationship with nature. While faith traditions have contributed to environmental harm, they also hold the power to inspire solutions and foster a sustainable mindset.

Sister Jayanti emphasised seeing all people as part of one family under God, encouraging care for one another and the planet.

Rev. Henrik Grape highlighted greed and selfishness as root causes of the crisis. 

Mark Lawrence stressed respect as a key value in science.

Jocabed Solano, an Indigenous Kuna woman, shared how her culture’s teachings instilled respect for nature.

November 21st Climate Wisdom Studio: From Conflict to Cooperation: Can Climate Action Foster Global Peace?

The conversation explored: the call for a mind set change, the scientific situation, local adaptation projects, such as, there are now 100 solar cities in India, moving from parts thinking to system thinking, changing the word ‘negotiation’ to ‘offering’ and a deep spiritual perspective of the current crisis. Golo Pilz in conversation with Sister Jayanti, Mihir Mathur and Dr. Rajendra Shende.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Rajendra Shende: Climate change requires us to change our lifestyles…. Don’t look at the format, the structure. We need to look at ourselves. What are we feeling? We should change ourselves. We should act as a family unit…Look at the finances… they are there you just need to re-channel them….. We need a structural change and this will come through a mindset change.

Mihir Mathur: In negotiations if my mental model is that, I have to take out more than I am giving… it is a difficult battle… First, to change the word negotiation to offering or something positive… Second, is to look at our belief systems … Change is quite simple. It starts on the inside. It is upon us. Take charge and don’t leave it to something magical happening.

Sister Jayanti: More and more people are turning towards meditation and spiritual practices in their daily lives…Once we begin to meditate we experience our mind becoming calmer and more peaceful; we find the tension between my conscience and feelings resolving; we feel an inner alignment and my relationships become more harmonious. Now, multiply this many times and it spreads out into the world.

November 22nd Climate Wisdom Studio: Sustainable Futures
An inspiring conversation which offers hope on how we all can achieve a sustainable future. This episode features Sister Jayanti, Mohamed Bahr and Mahesh Pandya with Golo Pilz, moderating the conversation.

Mohammed Bahr: “This year, the Faith Pavilion was full of spirit. Some people said that they want a “Hug Pavilion”. They really enjoyed the time and the sessions, and a lot of them gave their feedback that they feel this place is different. Some people come and seek our prayers before they go to the negotiations. It was a very touching experience this year. I think the Pavilion successfully brought attention to the ethical and moral dimensions of climate action and many delegations reflected on their role.”

Sister Jayanti: “It is very easy to change my lifestyle to come back to a simpler living. What is my contribution to the planet? Can I simplify my needs so that at least there’s a .0001% difference?  When I start doing things that I find fulfilling, then others around me see that and they also start doing the same – it is a ripple effect that grows. So, by going on an inner journey and looking at our mindset, our awareness and perception, we can make plans for a sustainable future.” .

Mahesh Pandya: “What we do is try to simplify environmental terminology for the community, the government and even the judiciary on what is Environmental Impact Assessment. We are teaching the community how to raise the issue because we believe that it must be solved through non-violence, through democratic ways.”

Golo Pilz: “It is very interesting that the world is slowly waking up to the inner dimension of climate change – and that it is related to our inner world. And that when we change from the inside, the outside will also change.”