#United States #climate action #Durham #Duke University #Geneva Islamic

Duke University and Geneva Islamic Foundation Partner for Climate Action

Duke University and the Geneva Islamic Cultural Foundation have recently formalized a partnership aimed at mobilizing young religious leaders worldwide to take action against climate change. The collaboration, celebrated in Durham, N.C., establishes a significant platform for interfaith cooperation and environmental advocacy. This initiative comes coupled with a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that supports the Faith For Our Planet (FFOP) global interfaith environmental initiative, housed under the Geneva Islamic Cultural Foundation (GICF).

The partnership is significant not only for its environmental goals but also for its potential to forge connections among diverse faiths as they work to tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity today. H.E. Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, the Secretary General of the Muslim World League, emphasized the importance of this partnership, describing it as a meaningful leap toward faith-based diplomacy.

Building Bridges in Faith

During the signing ceremony, Dr. Al-Issa had the opportunity to engage in rich dialogues with around 20 young faith leaders who are part of the third cohort of the Duke University-FFOP youth climate interfaith fellowship program. This program, initiated in 2022, is notable for being the first global youth interfaith fellowship focused on addressing climate change. Participants hailed from various countries, including Bolivia, India, Ghana, and the UK, representing a diverse range of faith traditions such as Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and indigenous beliefs.

The discussions inspired collaborative initiatives that could potentially lead to widespread educational efforts and environmental action within their respective communities. The spirit of partnership is further reflected in the personal meeting between Dr. Al-Issa and Duke University president, Mr. Vincent Edward Price, where avenues for future collaboration were explored.

Promoting Education for All

In addition to the environmental partnership news, Dr. Al-Issa delivered a compelling keynote at a significant reception event, advocating for girls’ education worldwide. His impassioned address underscored education as a fundamental human right and a divine commandment that various faiths must uphold. He urged the global community to ensure every girl has access to education, stressing, “When a girl is denied an education, the world loses its balance.” His remarks resonate profoundly in today’s context, especially in light of the ongoing challenges girls face in accessing quality education.

Dr. Al-Issa’s address further builds on efforts initiated earlier this year in Islamabad, where he convened a diverse coalition of scholars and activists to champion universal education rights for girls across the Islamic world. Noteworthy speakers at this Duke University event included prominent figures from academia, policy, and grassroots activism, advocating collectively for both climate action and educational access as fundamental components of human progress.

A Vision for the Future

The MoU between Duke University and the Geneva Islamic Cultural Foundation is more than just a document; it represents a commitment to addressing urgent global issues through shared values of stewardship, compassion, and education. “This partnership is a beacon of hope for our planet and signifies our shared future,” noted Dr. Al-Issa, highlighting that the collaboration not only empowers a new generation of faith leaders but also encourages collective action to address global crises with knowledge and moral conviction.

As faith leaders unite in this way, the hope is to inspire substantive change in their communities, leveraging their platforms to advocate for environmental sustainability and the transformative power of education. This remarkable partnership exemplifies how bridging faith and academic institutions can yield impactful solutions to the pressing challenges of our time.