Climate Resilience Begins Within

Brahma Kumaris Participation at COP31, Antalya, Turkiye | Climate Resilience Begins Within

Report 1: Wednesday 4th November and Monday 9th November to Tuesday 10th November

On Monday 9th November, COP31 opened in Antalya, Türkiye. Calling on nations to turn climate promises into practical action, COP31 President Murat Kurum emphasized translating summit decisions into tangible results – from resilient infrastructure and productive farmland to cleaner industry and lower energy costs.

Some of the team after registration and receiving their delegate badges for COP31

Yet, as global leaders focus on structural solutions, a delegation of 11 Brahma Kumaris representatives, led by Maureen Goodman, is highlighting the critical missing piece: inner transformation. Bringing a spiritual and values-based perspective to Antalya, the delegation asserts that lasting climate resilience must begin from within. When we cultivate peace, compassion, and responsibility inside ourselves, we create the ethical foundation needed to sustain harmony and resilience in the outer world.

To bring this perspective into the heart of the summit, the Antalya team launched the ‘Climate Wisdom Studio’. This daily series of panel discussions with invited guest speakers will offer real-time insights, values-led reflections, and live updates straight from COP31.

Our first report brings you a series of insightful events bridging spirituality, community, and climate action. From an online interfaith Talanoa Dialogue on rebuilding trust to discussions in the Green Zone on inner resilience, food sovereignty, and youth leadership, these sessions explore how inner transformation and collective responsibility empower sustainable solutions for our planet.

Pre-COP Event: Interfaith Gathering in the Spirit of Talanoa Dialogue | Online on 4th November

Morning Session

The online Talanoa Interfaith Dialogue brought together representatives from diverse faith traditions to explore how faith communities can rebuild trust, strengthen cooperation, and translate ethical reflection into climate action.

Opening the session, Rev Henrik Grape, Senior Adviser of World Council of Churches, highlighted the power of faith and dialogue during times of conflict. Valeriane Bernard, Co-chair of Interfaith Liaison Committee, recalled the origins of the Talanoa process, rooted in Pacific and Indigenous approaches to inclusive conversation, while Bishop Philip Huggins, Anglican Church, Australia, offered a reflection on “peace as gift, peace as task.”

Three keynote speakers shared distinct perspectives:

Rev Charissa Suli, President, Uniting Church, Australia, drew on the Good Samaritan parable, emphasizing that love of neighbour requires concrete resources, responsibility, and action.
Maureen Goodman, Programme Director, UK, Brahma Kumaris, stressed awakening conscience in decision-making while nurturing connections with oneself, the divine, humanity, and nature.
Rev Fred Milligan, retired Pastor, Presbyterian Church (USA), identified five core religious contributions: faith, humility, solidarity, community, and hope as essential tools for rebuilding trust, holding leaders accountable, and inspiring climate justice.

In small-group Talanoa breakout sessions, participants explored personal and institutional transformation, urging faith organizations to embody the values they promote. Aneta Loj, Brahma Kumaris, conducted a meditation during the spiritual moment that concluded the session.

Watch the recording here.

Afternoon Session

The second session opened with a silent reflection led by Valeriane Bernard, offering positive intentions to Mother Earth and climate-affected communities.

Moderated by Simon Chambers, Head of Communications, ACT Alliance, the panel featured Jamie Williams, Senior Policy Advisor, Islamic Relief Worldwide, and Rev Fletcher Harper, Executive Director of GreenFaith.

Jamie Williams emphasised stewardship rooted in Quranic teachings, advocating for mutual aid, protecting future generations, and integrating Indigenous knowledge networks.
Rev Fletcher Harper challenged communities to prioritize truth-telling over easy consensus, specifically by confronting climate misinformation and highlighting the disproportionate impact of the crisis on vulnerable populations.

In multilingual breakout groups, participants addressed the core Talanoa questions. A primary takeaway was the balance between individual responsibility and structural change: while personal habits foster agency and connection to nature, they must complement systemic actions, such as transitioning away from fossil fuels.

The dialogue concluded with a call to action grounded in spiritual and moral responsibility, urging participants to challenge the status quo, sustain hope, and remain committed to protecting all life.

Watch the recording here.

Consciousness, Community, and Food Sovereignty: Three Pathways to Climate Resilience

Green Zone Zero Waste Hub on 9th November

From Left to Right: Maureen Goodman, UK Programme Director for the Brahma Kumaris & UK BK representative at the UN, Vienna; Aneta Loj, Brahma Kumaris Focal Point to UNCCD; Shantanu Mandal, India Deputy Chair- ReSpECC (CEESP IUCN) & Nature based education Task Force (CEC IUCN)

In this opening event the Brahma Kumaris hosted a discussion on Climate Resilience, an important part of the message they are bringing to COP31. Some points that were shared were:

Consciousness and Climate Resilience

It is important to have a sense of inner security. This comes from knowing who I am and my capabilities, my inner qualities and the ability to access my inner conscience and wisdom. Inner calm is very important, as it buffers us from feeling too overwhelmed.

“Resilience for me starts with acceptance of the reality of wherever I am. If I don’t accept this reality I can’t activate my inner resilience.” Shantanu Mandal

Community and Climate Resilience

There are 2 aspects to this. First, what is available, who can I connect with and what practical support is available. Second, is the support of like-hearted people, this creates a sense of belonging and support.

“There is the company on an external level of like-hearted people, and on an inner level companionship with myself and with the Higher Power.” Aneta Loj

Food Sovereignty and Climate Resilience

The ‘Sustainable Yogic Farming’ project in India, run by the Brahma Kumaris Rural Wing, is a great example of this. It combines natural farming and meditation, and a 3 year study found that yogic farming produced 15-20% more crop output than organic farming only, along with other benefits.

“Spirituality empowers people to take courage to implement these new farming methods.” Maureen Goodman

The program ended with a meditation by Maureen to experience our inner calm, followed by a video called ‘The Forgotten Song,’ about traditional farming in Kachchh, India. The full recording is available here.

Youth Leadership for Climate Action

Climate Wisdom Studio on 10th November

This evening the first two episodes of this year’s Climate Wisdom Studio aired on the topic of youth leadership. In episode 1 Shantanu Mandal, Presenter at Radio Madhuban, spoke with Lucy Plummer, Youth Representative, Soka Gakkai International Office for UN Affairs and Birajith Baskaran, Youth Representative, Brahma Kumaris. In Episode 2 Saikat Das, Net Zero Strategist and Sonja Ohlsson, Focal Point to UNFCCC, Brahma Kumaris, shared their thoughts on this topic.

The focus of the conversations was on the value of youth and civil society engagement in advancing climate action. Key priorities included youth participation at COP, international cooperation and effective leadership. The importance of how meditation, personal responsibility and connection with nature strengthens individual resilience was also highlighted.

From Left to Right: Shantanu Mandal, Lucy Plummer, Birajith Baskaran

Lucy said that for her COP participation was a responsibility towards people and the planet. She highlighted the importance of civil society engagement, climate education and everyday action. She endorsed courage and compassion as key leadership qualities. Her aspiration was for a world where “everyone would experience love and feel loved”.

Biru described COP as a platform for learning and sharing diverse perspectives, highlighting Loss and Damage, youth participation and the Brahma Kumaris’ activities. He discussed meditation as a source of personal balance, identified love as an important leadership quality, and emphasised the importance of strengthening humanity’s connection with nature.

Saikat highlighted collaborative leadership, meaningful youth participation and the importance of understanding international climate processes. He stressed moving beyond token youth representation towards recognizing young people’s expertise and contributions. Defining leadership, he stated, “The team makes the leader. Not the leader makes the team.” He also called for greater accountability in tackling misinformation and fact-checked communication.

Sonja emphasised the importance of meditation, inner stability and creating supportive spaces to address the emotional challenges of climate change. Drawing on her experience across 17 COPs, she highlighted the growing need for hope, compassion and collective healing. She described leadership as creating an environment where others can thrive, and also stressed self-transformation, noting, “I can only change myself”.